London, Herning, Normandy? Helen Langehanenberg has a plan!
Still holder of the dressage World Cup Final with Damon Hill NRW, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg took second place in the Grand Prix of Lyon Final on Saturday. The vice Europe champion declares herself very impatient with her freestyle test this afternoon and with her first participation in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. She explains why.
Helen, once again your Grand Prix test was fantastic: how was Damon Hill?
Great, I had a really good feeling, the horse was good in the warming up maybe a little bit wild but I love this. He was really great in the test, achieved really great movements, with a lot of expression I think and no mistakes.
It is your first time in Lyon, so how do you like it so far?
Very much. Everybody already told me how nice this show was. So I was really looking forward to it. And I do agree: it’s definitely a special show.
It is your fourth final with Damon Hill and you have to defend your title here this afternoon: how is the pressure?
I feel good. I think we had a really good test yesterday, I loved this performance but the rest is not in my hands now (she laughs). Usually we both love to ride the freestyle test, so I’m really impatient.
Do you already have a plan before the WEG?
Yes. We have to present ourselves to qualify for the team, first at the German championships in Balve, in three weeks, and then we have to go in Perl-Borg which is a relatively new show in Germany, and to Aachen and last to Normandy. That’s the plan. I hope to be in the team but I guess if Dami keeps in a good fit, and he does not look too bad at the moment, it will be OK. Normandy will be my first Games because I started with Damon Hill right after Lexington. I just can’t wait!