Reynolds sets new Irish record at Hagen Freestyle

KILDARE’S Judy Reynolds set a new Irish international Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) record score of 75.775% when placing sixth with Joe & Kathleen Reynolds’ 13-year-old Jazz gelding Vancouver K at the four-star show in Hagen, Germany today (Sunday). The previous record score of 75.725% was set by Irish Olympian Anna Merveldt and Coryolano in Vienna, Austria at the end of 2011.

The German-based Irish international rider also placed sixth in the Grand Prix at the CDI4* show in Hagen yesterday on a personal best score of 70.70% in an FEI Grand Prix class.

Speaking from Germany Judy said “I’m delighted with the score. Vancouver K was competing in his first outdoor show this year and was very settled, there are more points to get and I blame myself for the few mistakes today.”

Judy plans to compete at the five-star show in Munich next month and then hopes to get into Aachen at the end of May.

She said: “Today is the first show which is part of the qualification for Olympic Games in Rio so it was important to post a good score. I’m pleased with my improved scores this season, reflected in my breakthrough into the top 100 in the world rankings, as I aim towards the European Dressage Championships in August.”

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Deja 5 scored a double winning on a 80.225% total with German riders Ingrid Klimke (Dresden Mann)in second place on 79.350% and Dorothee Schneider (Silvano 71) scoring 77.775% for third.

Irish riders performed well at the British Dressage Premier League show in The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe, Bedford, England this weekend with former national champion Roland Tong and Ambience IV winning the Grand Prix, in their debut season at big tour level, on a score of 68.50%. Another British-based Irish rider, Abi Hutton and Armagnac, placed seventh, on a score of 67.46%, in the small tour Intermediaire I class which was won by her husband Charlie and Super Blue on 71.23%.

Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K