29 August 2013
Topolcianky: Barry Capstick in the lead
After the rain on Wednesday, the sun and wind formed good weather conditions in the dressage arena of the spacious stadium in Topolcianky.
The first strong performance was put down by Vilmos Lazar, who scored 42.94 penalty points. Lazar remained in the lead until Irish driver Barry Capstick entered the arena after the coffee break. Capstick showed a very nice test and took over the lead with a score of 36,93 penalty points, driving his pair of Dutch warm blood horses Jack Hackett en Connor. Only Vilmos’ younger brother Zoltan Lazar was able to get close to Capstick today. The driver, who normally competes with a four-in-hand, drove his Lipizzaner horses very concentrated en set a score of 39,49, with which he finished second in the provisional standings after the first 36 competitors.
Germany’s Thorsten Zarembowicz finished fourth on this first day with 46,14, ahead of Italy’s Josef Dibak and the Hungarian individual driver Mark Ozstertag, who also remained under 50 penalty points.
The Austrian team drivers Gerard Rössler and Isidor Weber are on place seven and eight, ahead of David Matthews from Great Britain.
Gerard Leijten was the first Dutch team driver in the arena today and is currently in 13th position.
His team member Harrie Verstappen will be the first driver to enter the arena on Friday. Tomorrow’s start list include several top drivers who aim for a high placing, amongst which the defending World Champion Carola Diener from Germany.
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