They say itâs never over until the fat lady sings, and at tonightâs FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2017/2018 Western European League qualifier at Olympia in London (GBR), when it seemed Swedenâs Patrick Kittel (41) already had it in the bag, along came the home sideâs Emile Faurie (54) with a last-to-go ride that almost overtook the league leader.
Scoring 80.405, the British rider took even himself by surprise when slotting into runner-up spot just 0.155 percentage points behind the super Swede who is now well on his way to the Final in Paris (FRA) next April. Kittel has had a great run, and with 75 points on the board is sitting pretty. But after tonightâs electrifying victory gallop during which he âhigh-fivedâ loads of spectators on his tour of the iconic Grand Hall, he said, “âI take my hat off to the showjumpers, I donât know how they do it – Iâve done three shows in a row and now itâs ‘give me a glass of champagne and get me to bed’, because Iâm totally exhausted!”
This win means even more to him because his only other visit to the London venue was a disaster. âThe last time I was here was 13 years ago and I finished last. I went home in the lorry feeling really bad but my wife, Lyndal, said you have to go back, Olympia is an amazing show and you canât leave it another 13 years!â
British riders were holding the top three places after Richard Davison opened the second-half of tonightâs action, but, fourth-last to go, it was Edward Galâs (47) score of 79.340 that Kittel was chasing when second-last into the ring. The Dutchmanâs big moving stallion, Glockâs Zonik who topped yesterdayâs Grand Prix, produced some breathtaking extensions and mesmerising trot-work, but the nine-year-old lost balance at times, and mistakes including a break in the one-tempi changes left them looking vulnerable. In total contrast Kittel and Delauney, the 11-year-old gelding with which he claimed individual 11th at this summerâs Longines FEI European Championships on home ground in Gothenburg, produced a flawless performance. Kittel insisted he didnât expect to win, âbut my horse is such a trierâ, the Swedish star said.
Faurie however threw down a powerful challenge with a sensational test from the fabulously handsome stallion Delatio and has, tonight, set British Dressage fansâ hearts fluttering with excitement all over again. The expression of near-disbelief on the face of the three-time Olympian and European team gold medallist when his score was announced said it all. âIâm in shock at the percentage score, not the performance, he was so great in the ring and Iâm in love with this horse!â he said. âI was hoping to go one better than yesterday (when they finished fourth). I donât know him that well yet because Iâm only riding him a few months and I just wanted to do him justiceâ, he added.
âI had too many mistakes tonight, but Iâm pleased with Zonicâ Gal said. Like all the other riders he heaped praise on the London fixture. âYou donât have an atmosphere like this anywhere elseâ he pointed out. âThere was one woman screaming so loud I was wondering whatâs happening here, do we need to call an ambulance or something?!â
Kittel meanwhile is already planning ahead. âIâll take my other horse, Deja, to Amsterdam because heâs the one I want to ride at the Finalâ he explained. The Dutch city will host the next leg of the series when the action resumes at the end of January.
Source: FEI (by Louise Parkes)
