29 August 2018
WCH Kronenberg 2018: Den Elzen and Poppen take the lead
A warm breeze and overcast skies ushered in the Para Dressage on Thursday afternoon. But intermittent showers didn’t inhibit the determination of the twenty-four Para Drivers who all completed excellent performances. The judges had a hard time to differentiate the scores which in many cases only separated drivers by a few decimal points.
Jacques Poppen with Anniek
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
The Para drivers are divided into two groups; Grade 1 and 2 depending on the severity of their handicap.
The Netherlands stunned the crowd with impressive scores in both Groups 1 & 2. Jacques Poppen’s Dressage score of 37.78 in Grade 1 was the universal winner by all 5 judges. And Francisca Den Elzen’s score of 39.69 was also the first place winner of the 5 judges for Grade 2. Needless to say, this put the Netherlands Team in first place followed by the German Team, Great Britain in 3rd and USA team as 4th.
A car accident in 1995 left Poppen as a paraplegic who started driving in 2003 and competed at the national level in 2006 winning Silver at the WCH the same year, and Gold in 2008 and 2014.
Francisca Den Elzen started driving at age 15 with Fjord ponies but left the sport due to health reasons. In 2007, she was drawn back into the horse world and now drives Welsh ponies. being the title defender, we will all be watching for big things from her in the next phases of this World Competition.
Francisca den Elzen during her winning test
Photo: Krisztina Horváth
