Release date: 06/08/2011 |    

Saturday 6th August

Invitational 1.35m

An all woman line-up in the prize giving for the 1.35m with Italian rider Maddalena Valenzano Menada winning by 3 seconds with her mare Quidana.(38.65seconds). - pictured above

Maddalena discusses the jump-off. “I knew I had to be fast even though there were not so many in the jump-off.  To be honest the first round track was quite testing and it was an unexpected surprised that I was clean.”

“Quindana is a very careful horse but you need to ride as accurately as possible to win so I was very pleased with the final result.  This summer I have had more time to ride and train with good preparations coming to Valkenswaard. My trainer Mark McAuley and I have been working on every single detail.  It is a good team effort; family, crew, trainer and horse!”

German rider Pia-Katharina Beeking filled second and third place with Solem’s Ticket (41.23) and Flower Boy (45.69).

“Solem’s Ticket (above) is my best horse and normally I jump him in bigger classes.  Yesterday he was not so good so with today’s good rounds I am pleased.” Said Pia, adding.  “I didn’t see Maddalena go as I jumped from Flower Boy to warm up Solem’s Ticket. I tried to go fast but it was not enough to catch her very good time.  My round was smooth and I had a good rhythm so all was good in that respect.”

photo credit; Sportfot/www.sportfot.com