HGF's Grandioso takes Fourth at Pappas Amadeus Horse Indoors 2011 (Salzburg) CDI4*
In their first time to compete outside of Spain, and after only 7 months at the Grand Prix level, Dani Martin and Grandioso gained the respect of the larger International Dressage community with solid performances at the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Kur last weekend in Salzburg. The pair received 68.213% and 71.975% respectively, placing Fourth both days behind Anky Van Grunsven, Anja Plonzke, and Yuko Kirai of Japan. Spanish National Trainer Jan Bemelmans was on hand to work with horse and rider. This indoor invitational Dressage competition fielded horses from 7 countries, with over 600 horses competing overall in the various disciplines.[nbsp]
The plan is now to give Grandioso a much-needed rest following his recent successes in two major competitions--the National Championships of Spain in October, where he placed First, and then this Salzburg CDI, which required an 18 hour journey by truck each direction.
Dani and Grandioso will be setting their sites on Sunshine Tour 2012 where they will join other members of the Spanish pre-selection team in the kick-off competition of the Olympic year.