Justina Vanagaite-Samuile of Lithuania and Nabab shone in Helsinki, taking the win in International Dressage Grand Prix. The history-making Olympian and her longtime companion scored 69.956 %, leaving a clear difference to the second placed Martin Ågevall on Romeona from Sweden. Following not too far behind the Swede was Finland’s Elisabeth Ehrnrooth and Daytona, much to the joy of the Helsinki crowd.
Justina Vanagaite-Samuile and Nabab – photo Iita-Maria Ahtiainen
The winner Vanagaite-Samuile and her trusted horse Nabab have previously had outstanding success in the Central European League, finishing on top of the qualification group and making it all the way through to FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final. Friday’s win in Helsinki left the Lithuanian feeling happy and satisfied.
“I’m very happy; of course, I need to check the video and see the judges’ comments to know how it really looked, but the feeling was quite nice. My horse is in a really good shape, I’m very happy about everything, also his behaviour. Today he may not have been on the best mood after quite a good ride, but usually he loves people and applauses. I do also, maybe you could tell”, Vanagaite-Samuile said smiling.
Dressage program in Helsinki continues on Saturday with freestyle, and Vanagaite-Samuile continues with the same music she has had for three years.
“I think this year is the last one with that music, but it really suits the horse: it’s Imperial March from Star Wars, then it’s Indiana Jones for the trot, and for the canter it’s Batman begins. So everything is connected with movies, because I’m a huge movie fan”.
Third-placed Elisabeth Ehrnrooth was happy with the result, especially as she hasn’t competed since early June.
“It’s been bit of a break so I’m happy for this. I think we had many nice parts and I’m actually quite happy with many parts of the program. The piaffe and passage were not so good, but otherwise I felt many highlights. It’s her first season, and it’s special atmosphere to go in here, we are very close to the judges. And of course, for a horse that hasn’t done many indoor shows (only one in the beginning of March) this was good and I’m very proud of her and happy. I’m looking forward to riding the next season and to bring her forward. She has a lot of quality and I’m happy for this – I have to be even though I was hoping for more points today”.
Elisabet Ehrnrooth and Daytona – photo Iita-Maria Ahtiainen
President of the grand jury, Paula Nysten, enjoyed the winner’s performance but found positive also in Ehrnrooth’s ride.
“Justina is so secure with everything she does nowadays, she’s done it that long with the same horse. Definitely the highlights today were the pirouettes, they were really balanced and well prepared. The long companionship between the rider and the horse can be seen. Elisabeth’s horse is lovely and has a lot of movement in it. But today the piaffes, as she said, were not that existing, so she needs to put a bit effort onto those.
For an international judge Ulrike Nivel this is the first time in Helsinki, but she has enjoyed the Helsinki Horse Show so far.
“I’m very happy to be here, it’s my first time in Helsinki and I think my first time in Finland. I have enjoyed the show very much. There are a lot of people around, I was really surprised by that, but enjoyed it very much”.
Grand Prix de Dressage international dressage competition. Starts 7, placings 5.
1) Justina Vanagaite-Samuile – Nabab, LTU 69,96 %
2) Martin Ågevall – Romeona, SWE 65,61 %
3) Elisabet Ehrnrooth – Daytona, FIN 65,04 %
4) Siiri Kyrö – Kyro Hot Flow, FIN 65,00 %
5) Mads Hendeliowitz – Autograf Q, SWE 64,63 %
Complete results: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/helsinki-international-horse-show-helsinki/resultlist_D01.html
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