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Patrik Kittel wins Freestyle at CHI AL SHAQAB 2015

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic pulled all stops to win CHI AL SHAQAB’s 100,000 Euro Freestyle and his score of 77.275 made him snatch the purse from Carl Hester and Nip Tuck. The British four time Olympian had won the Grand Prix on Friday. Anders Dahl from Denmark came third riding Wie-Atlantico de Ymas to 75.300

For his third try at winning in Doha Kittel chose his well known Billy Idol tune and asked his 16 year old stallion to take every risk, cashing 25.000 Euro. The judges awarded the difficulty of his freestyle with 79.600 for artistic value and gave 74.900 for the technical execution. Fresh, in a nice frame and well behaved, the chestnut horse belied his age and made the trip worthwhile. “Doha is a standard on my calendar”, Kittel outlined his planning for Watermill Scandic, “still young at heart”.

Hester showed the freestyle that had earned Nip Tuck close to 80 per cent already but stayed below his own expectations. “I was hoping it would be hot enough outside to keep him quiet.”

He decided to take the arena as an educational exercise for the WEG horse “that still likes good look at things”. The WEG team silver medalist is certain: “Nip Tuck will go home a better horse.”

Third placed Wie-Atlantico de Ymas earned compliments from all three riders on the podium. Kittel as well as Hester have ridden him previously until Dahl’s wife Fiona Bigwood had decided to keep him. “He was never better than now”, said Dahl in Doha on the 16 year horse that already is a best friend with his little daughter. “She wants to take him to a pony club.”

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds finished fourth on Vancouver K, performing a freestyle lent to her by Coby van Baalen. Chief judge Dr. Dietrich Plewa mentioned her as the “one to watch” from the dressage rider’s field in Doha. “We saw extraordinary sport and a lot of young riders, up and coming or much improved horses.”

Multiple medalist Beatriz Ferrer-Salat from Spain won the Grand Prix Special by a wide margin. Spain’s grande dame of dressage scored 70.922 with Sir Radjah finally settled and concentrating on the job. Henriette Anderson and Warlocks Charm for Great Britain came second on 66.961. Triple Asian Games medalist Kim Dongseon from Korea and Bukowski  were third (62.784). The purse of 20,000 Euro made a nice consolation for the four riders not qualified for the CHI Al SHAQAB 2015’s dressage freestyle.

Results Freestyle:

1. Patrik Kittel/ Watermill Scandic (SWE) 77.275
2. Carl Hester/ Nip Tuck (GBR) 76.725
3. Anders Dahl/ Wie-Atlantico de Ymas (DEN) 75.300
4. Judy Reynolds/ Vancouver K (IRL) 74.850
5. Katja Gevers/ Thriller (NED) 74.150

Results Grand Prix Special

1. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat/ Sir Radjah (ESP) 70.922
2. Henriette Anderson/ Warlocks Charm (GBR) 66.961
3. Kim Dongseon/ Bukowski (KOR) 62.784
4. Silvia Rizzo/ SALl (ITA) 61.608