Kelly Houtappels-Bruder continues success with win in Bühl (Germany)
06/23/2022
| Kelly Houtappels-Bruder of Ariss, ON, now a resident of Steensel, NED, drove her way to the win in the CAI 3* Horse Single Division at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Driving Competition – Bühl 2022 event held from June 15 – 19, 2022 over 300 kilometres west of Munich, Germany. Hosted at the riding and driving club St. Leonhard eV – Bühl that has existed since 1968, Houtappels-Bruder and her partner Flip (Fidertanz x Carprilli), a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, whom she co-owns with her husband Frank Houtappels, finished atop of the leaderboard, out of 35 competitors representing nine countries. “The course designer Michael Mayer from Switzerland had built an extremely challenging and horse friendly course” said Houtappels-Bruder. The Canadian pair opened the competition in first place, with an exceptional score of 40.12 penalty points in the dressage phase. After their strong start, they dropped in the standings in the marathon stage to 12th place with a time of 83.91 and a combined score of 124.03 after the two phases. The duo completed the event with six penalties in cones, an overall score of 130.03 to take home the victory ahead of Netherlands’ Marie Schiltz and Frodo, who finished with 131.21 for second place. “The week went well, Bühl was an extremely welcoming competition, and we were all looked after so well – especially with the extreme heat throughout the week” said Houtappels-Bruder. The dressage phase was super, had a good feeling and getting closer to where we want to be approaching the worlds.” The duo is aiming to represent the maple leaf at the 2022 FEI Driving World Championship for Single horses from September 15-18, 2022 at Le Pin au Haras (FRA). Source: EC Weekend Hightlights |