(mps) The winner of the 2008 Piaff-Förderpreis goes by the name of Marion Engelen. The finals of the competition for promising young German dressage riders was staged for the eighth time in the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle at the 24th International STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS Horse Show. Riding the eight-year-old gelding Diego, the favourite going into the competition lived up to expectations and was awarded an excellent 71.458 per cent by the international judges.
Engelen, who also prevailed in the warm-up event on Thursday morning, was well pleased with her performance: “I’d like to thank Klaus Rheinberger for making the fantastic series possible.” It was only the second time the 23-year-old had saddled Diego for a Grand Prix. ”He did really well in the big hall and in front of so many people,” said Engelen when heaping praise on her horse. The final was scheduled for the afternoon session for the first time this year.
“I can rightly claim that the 2008 Piaff Förderpreis competition was the best ever,” said the Director of the Horse Show, Gotthilf Riexinger, who was unable to hide his elation. “We can be very proud of having this group of 20 to 25-year-old riders.” Engelen and Diego received the highest marks ever today: “A big tribute to the rider and coach.”
“It was obvious at February’s workshop that the standard was going to be very high,” said the dressage national coach Holger Schmezer, who was highly satisfied with the consistency of the pairs placing in the top three at the various competitions. “Riders in the 70’s are of a championship standard.”
Second place in the finals went to Anna-Katharina Lüttgen on her eight-year-old gelding Lamborghini (70.958 per cent). Third was Andrea Timpe on Rosselini (69.292 per cent).
