Belinda Trussell & Royan II Make World Cup Final Debut

Belinda Trussell & Royan II Photo credit – TetleyPhoto.com

Belinda Trussell and Royan II represented Canada at the 2004 World Cup Finals held April 1-4 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Against some very fierce competition, the pair rode a mistake-free test to finish 16th in the Grand Prix class with a score of 64.666%, missing the Section A finals by only 2.04%.


In preparation for the Freestyle Section B class, Trussell tailored her warm-up to accommodate for the warmer temperatures of the indoor competition arena. The plan paid off and the duo were rewarded with a score of 69.800% by the judging panel, placing them third in the class of six and narrowly missing second place finisher Sven Rothenberger (Netherlands) by a mere 1.35%.
"Royan was a tad flat (in the Grand Prix) with the change in temperature," explained Trussell. "My coach (Christilot Boylen) and I discussed strategy for the freestyle and decided to reduce the warm up time to keep him fresh. It worked brilliantly and he was excellent in the freestyle."


Highlights in both of Royan II's tests included his extended canter and his pirouettes which were rewarded with 8's from the judges. Trussell credits her warm-up shows ridden at Neumunster and Dortmund the previous month which helped to build Royan II's confidence in the tight confines of European indoor competitions, and the electric atmosphere which is prevalent at these shows. "Neumunster showed me I must try for more brilliance and Dortmund confirmed how to get it in the ring. Without those shows, I would have felt like I was coming in blind to that atmosphere."


The finals were won by Anky van Grunsven and Gestion Salinero of the Netherlands with scores of 75.791% in the Grand Prix and 83.450% in the Freestyle. The illustrious international judging panel included Mary Seefried (AUS), Anne Gribbons (USA), Bernard Maurel (FRA), Dr Volker Moritz (GER), Ernst Bachinger (AUT), Wim Ernes (NED), Dr Elena Petushkova (RUS), and President of the Ground Jury Dr. Volker Moritz (GER).


Trussell and Royan II were the winners of the Canadian League World Cup Finals held at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair during November of 2003. This was their first time representing Canada at the World Cup Finals. The pair were also part of the Canadian Team who competed at the 2003 European Dressage Championships (Hickstead, England) and earned Canada a berth to the 2004 Olympic Games.

Grand Prix International - 18 Riders
1. Anky Van Grunsven & Gestion Salinero (NED) - 75.791%
2. Heike Kemmer & Bonaparte (GER) 4- 74.875%
3. Edward Gal & Gestion Lingh (NED) - 72.666%
16. Belinda Trussell & Royan II (CAN) - 64.666%

Grand Prix Freestyle - Section A Final - 12 Riders
1. Anky Van Grunsven & Gestion Salinero (NED) - 83.450%
2. Edward Gal & Gestion Lingh (NED) - 80.625%
3. Hubertus Schmidt & Wansuela Suerte (GER) - 78.875%

Grand Prix Freestyle - Section B - 6 Riders
1. Kristy Oatley-Nist & Rosemount Quando Quando (AUS) - 71.625%
2. Sven Rothenberger & Barclay II (NED) - 71.150%
3. Belinda Trussell & Royan II (CAN) - 69.800%

For full results from all classes, please visit www.duesseldorf-masters.de.