By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
A mixup in the music led to the winning Grand Prix Freestyle for Spain’s José Daniel Martín Dockx and the American-owned Grandioso that was the ride of their career so far with a score near 80 per cent and by far a personal best at the Glock Horse Performance Center CDI3* in Treffen, Austria Saturday.
The score of 79.650 per cent for the ride to music from the movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn” gave the partnership their eighth straight win in eight starts since returning to the show ring in January after competing on the Spanish team at the Olympic Games in London last summer.
Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands and Glock’s Lord of Loxley scored 73.200 per cent to place second behind “Dani” and Grandioso, as they did in the Grand Prix Friday . Denmark’s Allan Skov on Volstrupgaards Cassiopeia were third on 72.600 per cent.
Dani, 44th on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) world rankings, began riding the 14-year-old PRE (Pura Raza Español) stallion owned by Hampton Green Farm of Wellington, Florida at international competitions two years ago and recorded several high placings but no victories before the London Games.
Two versions of the Freestyle using music from the movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn”–the story of[nbsp] journalist Martha Gellhorn and her husband, writer Ernest Hemingway, much of it centered on the Spanish Civil War that they reported–was created by Marlene Whitaker of Columbus, North Carolina.
One version was lighter in a more popular modern style, the other contained full orchestral treatment. The choreography was the same for both.
Dani planned to ride Grandioso (Adelante x Grandiosa x Sevillano IX) to the lighter track, but the other version was packed by mistake.
“Their flying changes every second stride on the circle, piaffes on the spot, passages with classic Spanish leg action, extended trot with great forward thrust, one-handed final piaffe exuded a passion that the spectators also felt,” according to the report from Treffen.
“His gift to the audience was rewarded with 79.650 per cent, which meant the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle win. After he saluted at the end, there was no holding back for the Spaniard–he hugged Grandioso and left the ring amid loud cheers.”
Valentina Truppa of Italy on her Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno were awarded 77.521 per cent to win the CDI4* Grand Prix Special. France’s Marc Boblet and Noble Dream Concept Sol were second on 73.625 per cent with Belgium’s Claudia Fassaert and Donnerfee scoring 72.104 per cent for third.[nbsp]
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Dani and Grandioso's win in the Kur followed their Grand Prix 3* win on Thursday, edging out Glock's Lord of Loxley, for a final score of 71.681%.
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