Davison launches FEI World Cup™ campaign in Madrid

Richard Davison was well placed in the fourth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European league 2019/2020 at IFEMA Madrid Horse Week last week (28 November – 1 December 2019).

With his own and Gwendolyn Meyer’s Bubblingh (pictured), the four-time Olympian commenced his campaign with tenth in Friday’s Grand Prix, despite a costly error in the two-tempis, for comfortable qualification through to Saturday’s Freestyle.

Germany’s Dorothee Schneider and 13 year old San Remo x Wenckstern gelding, DSP Sammy Davis Jr, wielded their authority with a 78.21% Grand Prix victory before taking Saturday’s Freestyle with 82.295%.

In front of his home crowd, Claudio Castilla Ruiz rode the test of his life with chestnut Lusitano stallion Alcaide for 80.230% and Freestyle second; Dutchman Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Zanardi completed the podium on 78.350% for third, whilst the British contender leapt up the ranks to sixth spot on the leader board.

Accompanied by their renowned Gangsta’s Paradise compilation, Richard and Bubblingh, a KWPN gelding by Lingh and out of Richard’s former top ride Ballaseyr Royale, hit their stride with an energetic and technically challenging Freestyle for 74.615%.

Unsurprisingly, our Grand Prix was a bit wild and out of control but he had started to settle down by the time of the World Cup Freestyle. Hopefully that has set him up for Olympia, which was the plan.

"Bubblingh has been only on walking exercise until recently and has not been to a show since July,” said Richard. “I knew he would be very fresh and rusty, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to use Madrid for getting him back into a show routine.

“Unsurprisingly, our Grand Prix was a bit wild and out of control but he had started to settle down by the time of the World Cup Freestyle. Hopefully that has set him up for Olympia, which was the plan."

Results:
Grand Prix
1. Dorothee Schneider and DSP Sammy Davis Jr, 78.217% (GER)
2. Claudio Castilla Ruiz and Alcaide, 74.348% (ESP)
3. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Zanardi, 72.717% (NED)
10. Richard Davison and Bubblingh. 68.000% (GBR)

Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Dorothee Schneider and DSP Sammy Davis Jr, 82.295% (GER)
2. Claudio Castilla Ruiz and Alcaide, 80.230% (ESP)
3. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Zanardi, 78.350% (NED)
6. Richard Davison and Bubblingh, 74.615% (GBR)

Full results

Photo © Lily Forado