This is sport when it´s getting really exciting
Again today young Sönke Rothenberger nailed it with an outstanding Grand Prix Special test together with Cosmo, and for 2nd day in a row he managed to keep Mrs. Werth at the spot just behind him.
Very focused from first till last step in the test. Top expression combined with top qualities, and not least just a single tiny error after the zig-zag canter where the change becomes with parallel hindlegs - rest was spot on.
Isabell Werth tried as much as possible to get her position as no 1 back, but not succesfull.
Of course it was just small details that kept the two top combinations apart, but doing a bit of analysis from the image of both tests, the "major" difference became the suppleness of the series. For both combinations all 3 series were correct, but from the quality of every series Cosmo was ahead with expression and ground cover - to H2R that became the main difference from winning or being 2nd placed.
Danish combinations
Best Danish combination today was Daniel Bachmann Andersen with his just 9-yr old KWPN stallion Blue Hors Don Olymbrio by Jazz / Ferro. The chestnut stallion is motivated all the way and the rider timing is in top showing the young and still quite inexperienced Grand Prix stallion in the best possible way. No major errors just a small lack of beat for the first diagonal and a bit tense transition to canter from passage. Daniel & Olymbrio finished as no 6 with 73,569%. Of course Daniel was also very coffident about his performances in Hagen, and he is now looking forward to the next competition challenges, and the future development of the still very young and talented stallion.
Smaller issues crept in for Danish Anders Dahl with Sir Donato, but still very elegant and expressive picture, and for Anders and the Danish team Sir Donato is certainly a very interesting horse too. Also Danish Charlotte Heering and Bufranco were "struggling" a bit from smaller issues today, but still an overall light and easy picture which just lack some more international experience.
Agnete Kirk Thinggaard with her lovely mare Atterupgaards Orthilia did unfortunately not really settle for today´s Grand Prix Special, as to many smaller mistakes came along. Also Allan Grøn and Wasabi were struggling along the way with more errors today. Both Orthilia and Wasabi looked a bit tired today.
See the entire results here. And catch up on H2R twitter here.