NATION' CUP
Saturday May 8, 2004
WHAT THEY SAID
To the question "what did your mentor Ludger Beerbaum expect
of you?" Christian Ahlmann, reigning European Champion and
member of the victorious Nations' Cup team answered: "That
I'm in good form, that it would be necessary to produce a faultless
round when it's needed."
Marco Kutscher, one of the three double clear rounds with Montender,
pupil of Ludger, and employee in his stables: "that he pays
me at the end of the month!" More seriously, he said that
he had learned a great deal with Ludger Beerbaum and that the
number one in the world had entrusted some very good horses to
him.
With regard to their victory in the Nations' Cup, Ludger Beerbaum:
"Our horses are in competition, they participated in the
World Cup. I think, besides that, with two weeks of rest, high
level horses are capable of putting together high level classes.
What is worse is that they have long rest periods."
With regard to the course, Ludger Beerbaum: "There were
only three double clear rounds (Nick Skelton, Marco Kutscher,
and Michel Hécart. Olaf Petersen's course was right, even
it was difficult."
Talking about his refusal at the water in the first round, Ludger
Beerbaum said: "The team did not need my round. I wanted
to show the course to my horse, in particular the double right
after the water, which was difficult. But my horse is 13 years
old, he has jumped hundreds of waters for his age, so horses lose
respect for the water. Therefore, the less one jumps them the
better it goes."
With regard to the ground, Ludger Beerbaum: "The ground
is very, very good. Netherless, last year the ground was also
good because the weather was good throughout the competition.
But when it has rained for 15 days 200 horses go through, that's
when one sees whether the ground is really good. It must be identical
for the first 100 and the last 100 horses, which would be the
case for the new ground in the La Baule stadium."
In connection with the second place for the French team, the
national trainer Jean-Maurice Bonneau: "The French went very
well. The selection for La Baule is the most difficult to make
because the horses are not yet all competing. For some, preparation
has not finished, it is the first team selection of season. The
objective was to stick to the score and to remain on the podium.
The last to start was Michel Hécart and Quilano de Kalvarie
who are today the most ready of the team. Galet d'Auzay (Michel
Robert) must still reinforce his physical preparation. Christian
Hermon (Ephèbe For Ever) incurred a heavy penalty with
his two faults for exceeding the time, even if the horse jumped
well."
Florian Angot and First de Launay (0+8) gave a good performance.
Their eight faults in the second round were problems of adjustment.
Even the German riders had faults in the second round. We proved
that even at the beginning of season, we were present where we
wanted to be."
Michel Robert, in connection with Galet d'Auzay (0+12): "Jean-Maurice
had asked me four months ago to be ready for this Nations' Cup.
I thought I could do a double clear, and I'm disappointed not
to have done it. The horse jumped very well in the first round,
too well almost, he gave too much and in the second round he was
completely empty. On the other hand, I easily recovered him in
the combinations, in the double of uprights for example. I have
more recovery tie now, that with and I am content since it was
my work from the winter "
Christian Hermon (2+4) in connection with his two rounds, and
of exceeding the time: "I was very unhappy to have been caught
by the time. In the second round I rectified that. Ephèbe
reacted very well, I gained strides everywhere it was possible
to do it. He made one fault because I put too much pressure on
him, but he was scopey for the rest of the course."
Florian Angot (0+8) in connection with First de Launay: "I
am happy with my two rounds. In the first round my horse was too
unruly, he took out strides when it was possible. In the second
round I asked him to shorten his stride more, so his rear-end
remained more balanced, and he accepted that very well. I am happy
with the second round, in spite of the two faults."
Michel Hécart (0+0): "Quilano had two different rounds,
but two good rounds. We are one of only three faultless performances.
I am happy."