The Irish Dressage team of Anna Merveldt, Heike Holstein and Judy Reynolds have recorded a hugely impressive sixth-place finish in the German Nations Cup in Aachen, with Kildare’s Reynolds setting a new Irish record score in the Grand Prix Special competition.
The Aachen Dressage Nations Cup took place over two days, with scores from Thursday’s opening Grand Prix competition added to today’s Special to decide the final placings. All three Irish riders improved on their opening day scores in the second round.
Kildare’s Judy Reynolds and the Joe and Kathleen Reynolds-owned Vancouver K set a new Grand Prix Special Irish record score of 75.894% on their way to a ninth-place finish in the individual competition – a result which qualifies Reynolds for Sunday’s Freestyle to Music.
“I’m thrilled and delighted with JP Vancouver K he was so good,” Reynolds said.
“There were still a couple of things that we can improve on but overall it was really good. There is a great buzz here [in Aachen] about Ireland having a team in the Nations Cup and lots of comments about how strong a team we have put together.
"I have qualified now for the Freestyle tomorrow so really looking forward to that.”
Ireland’s Heike Holstein almost broke the 70% barrier when scoring 69.851% with the Irish-bred Sambuca to finish in 23rd place individually.
Ireland’s third team member Anna Merveldt was close behind in 24th with Esporim after producing another impressive score of 69.468%.
Germany claimed the Nations Cup winners prize in front of their home fans ahead of Denmark in second and USA in third. The individual victory went to Germany’s Isabell Werth and Bella Rose 2.
