Helgstrand acquires top filly at Danish Warmblood Elite auction

Fürstenball / Blue Hors Romanov filly sold for 57.000 euros.

 

Danish Warmblood press release

50 out of 65 foals changed ownership at the Danish Warmblood Elite Foal Auction on Saturday night at Vilhelmsborg where Helgstrand Dressage acquired the top priced foal

In a packed show hall with 950 dining guests, the Danish Warmblood Elite Foal Auction proved to be a festive event Saturday night at Vilhelmsborg. The auction of this very attractive collection of foals was live streamed on Clipmyhorse and followed by sport horse enthusiasts in many parts of the world.

Auctioneer Casper Cassøe succeeded in selling 50 out of 65 foals (76.9%) to buyers from Austria, Denmark, Dubai and Luxemburg for a total turnover of 665,000 euro. The price highlight of the auction was the fabulous filly by Fürstenball x Blue Hors Romanov, named Vianna. She is out of the same dam line as the international dressage star Mistral Højris, and she is a regional foal show winner having scored 10 for trot.

Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard from Helgstrand Dressage was present at the auction and had his boss, Andreas Helgstrand on the telephone from the European Championships in Gothenborg. They had no doubt that Vianna was more than suitable for Helgstrand Dressage and they were very content to get the last bid on this outstanding filly at the knock-down price of 57,000 euro.

The Danish breeders are mostly known for producing dressage horses of very high international quality but there are also very successful breeders of show jumping horses and strong dam lines of international jumping blood in Denmark. An excellent representative of Danish breeding of show jumpers is the colt foal Cordento II by Cornet Obolensky x Cardento. Sold for 40,000 euro this outstanding colt foal remained on Danish hands.

Head of auction, Louise Ringsbo, has expressed her excitement about the exceptionally high quality of the foals in this collection. 

 –  We are very pleased with the execution of the auction which has provided us with new clients and a massive interest from abroad. The foals have obtained a good price level, and we were very happy to be able to sell the foals in front of a large and supportive crowd.

Goosebumps for both rider and spectators (video of Cosmo freestyle)

Proud sister Semmieke Rothenberger together with silver brother Sönke Rothenberger

Quotes from Sönke Rothenberger from FEI press release:

Holding his silver medal this evening he said with a smile, 

"If you look closely, it’s silver with a golden edge!"

Talking about his attitude to competition and his horse, Cosmo:

"I don’t go into a test thinking of what others can do and then try to be better. I go into the test trying to show in the ring everything we practice outside and today was really a day where we made a plan and we trained outside in the warm-up, and today was a day when he gave me back exactly what I was asking for and that’s just what I do it for. He is a character of a horse and I just love him the way he is, he has this shiny edge and with his ears to the front he does the most difficult movement and I get goosebumps every time!” 

Replying to a question about the Dutch connection in his family:

“Maybe there’s a slight touch of orange to this medal!”

Werth wins ferocious battle for Dressage Freestyle gold

On the podium for individual Dressage Freestyle at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden today: L to R: Sonke Rothenberger GER (silver), Isabell Werth GER (gold), Cathrine Dufour DEN (bronze). (FEI/Richard Juillart)

FEI press release

Compatriot Rothenberger pushes the legend to the limit; Denmark’s Dufour boldly takes bronze

Isabell Werth (45) secured her third Dressage gold medal of the week when topping today’s individual Freestyle at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden. But she had to pull out all the stops to pin German team-mate Sonke Rothenberger (22) into silver medal position while, mirroring the result of yesterday’s Grand Prix Special, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour (25) took bronze.

Multi-medalled Werth was under no illusions about the quality of the performance she needed to produce. 

"We all pushed each other today. When I went in, both Weihe and me knew there was no little mini-mistake allowed, and that made it very exciting!"

Isabell Werth GER 

That’s because Rothenberger is on the rise, producing stunning rides from his 10-year-old gelding Cosmo all week, joining Werth to take team gold on Wednesday, and then chasing her home in yesterday’s Grand Prix Special to finish just over a mark behind. Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen, fourth yesterday, produced the first over-80% score of today’s competition with the stunning stallion Dante Weltino before Britain’s Carl Hester and Nip Tuck fractionally improved on that to change the lead. But when Dufour, third-last to go, posted 84.560 with Atterupgaards Cassidy the real battle commenced.

Rothenberger is a young man on a mission, oozing confidence and pzazz. Mastering the most difficult movements with the greatest of ease, he marched down the final centreline to throw down a massive score of 90.614 which really put it up to his compatriot. 

But Werth thrives under pressure, and she had her game face on as her Freestyle music began. Weihegold listened to her all the way, producing a flawless performance that the crowd really enjoyed. But the tension on the German rider’s face as she waited for her mark to light up the scoreboard said it all. She knew it was going to be dangerously close. 

“I was really hoping it would be good enough because Weihe was a good as she could be, it was her best test so I was happy and hoping it would be enough - and it was!” she said, having edged ahead by just 0.368 marks. In fact all three medallists produced personal-best Freestyle scores today. 

Werth, who also steered Weihegold to victory at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Omaha (USA) in April, couldn’t hold back the tears on the medal podium. “I was full of adrenaline when I went in to ride, so it’s a mixture of all the emotions you have during the week - I’m really grateful and thankful for what this week has brought me” said the lady who has experienced more golden moments in her extraordinary career than any other athlete in the history of equestrian sport. 

Rothenberger looks like a real threat to her supremacy however. Holding his silver medal this evening he said with a smile, 

"If you look closely, it’s silver with a golden edge!"

Sonke Rothenberger GER

Tonight however Werth remains the queen of all she surveys, her latest golden haul still just another good week at the office. It’s exactly 10 years since she first took European Freestyle gold at La Mandria (ITA). That was with another of her super-star rides and, looking at her final medal of the week tonight, she said, “Satchmo would be proud!”

Freestyle Individual result:

1. Weihegold OLD (Isabell Werth) GER               -    90.982 

2. Cosmo (Sonke Rothenberger) GER                 -    90.614

3. Atterupsgaard Cassidy (Cathrine Dufour) DEN  -  84.560

FULL RESULTS

Sonke Rothenberger GER (silver)

Talking about his attitude to competition and his horse, Cosmo:

"I don’t go into a test thinking of what others can do and then try to be better. I go into the test trying to show in the ring everything we practice outside and today was really a day where we made a plan and we trained outside in the warm-up, and today was a day when he gave me back exactly what I was asking for and that’s just what I do it for. He is a character of a horse and I just love him the way he is, he has this shiny edge and with his ears to the front he does the most difficult movement and I get goosebumps every time!” 

Replying to a question about the Dutch connection in his family:

“Maybe there’s a slight touch of orange to this medal!”

Cathrine Dufour DEN (bronze)

"Cassidy was more calm today he really did everything he could, and I knew I had to be no 1 when I left the arena because I knew these two were coming. So I was really happy when I saw my score at the bit-check, and I knew these two would really ride for their lives and I’m very very happy!" 

Facts and figures/event or series information

1. 15 horse-and-rider combinations from 7 nations competed in today’s finale to Dressage at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, the individual Freestyle.
2. Winning rider Isabell Werth’s score of 90.982 was just short of the record European Dressage Freestyle score of 91.250 set by Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at the 2013 edition in Herning, Denmark.
3. Isabell Werth and Sonke Rothenberger were both on the the gold medal winning German team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
4. Werth and Weihegold took individual Olympic silver in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Flashquotes from Saturday´s Grand Prix Freestyle

Patrik Kittel SWE

I love riding here, this is a once in lifetime thing to be riding in here with this audience. I am super pleased with him, he was a bit tired today, but it is the third day. It is crazy how good this competion has been for us Swedes. First of all a medal but then also that we all had such high positions going in to the freestyle today.

Dorothee Schneider GER 

- I am very proud of him. He is a young grand prix baby, and its the third day here. He was a bit tired but I am so happy he did a good job and we had no big mistakes. He has only been doing international shows for five months. He has a lot of potential for the future. Everyday he wants to dance, he wants to even when he is a bit tired.

Anna Zibrandtsen DEN 

Unbelieveble! I never done the freestyle before, I never heard the music, I have not been riding the lines. I learned last night. I did not think I was going to make the freestyle. It was so much fun, it was like a big dream for me to go in there and ride the freestyle.

Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez ESP 

- I am happy with my ride, the feeling was good and all in all I am happy, the scores are ok.

Belinda Weinbauer AUT 

I must cry, it was so fantastic. You know to come in the special was huge for me, to ride the Freestyle today is even bigger. He is such a fantastic horse, he is my big star. It s the third day and I was worried he would be tired but he was so fresh and motivated.

Therese Nilshagen SWE

- I had hoped it would be a good result, but I didn´t think it would go this well. 

He was so good and my horse is in very good shape. Unfortfuntantley we had a mistake in one of the tempichanges. The crowd is amazing and they give us such good energy.

Tinne Vilhelmsson SWE 

Just a great feeling to ride in this arena, amazing! I wanted to try to give it all, I tried a bit to hard so he got a bit insecure with me. But overall I am so pleased with him, he has been so good this whole week.

Carl Hester GBR 

I am happy, It is not my highest score in the freestyle, he was a bit spooky in the corner today. But still he is so consistent and keeps getting better. And he finsihes of so fresh after three tests this week, I am really happy with him.

Spencer Wilton GBR

- It was exciting, excilerating and nervwrecking. No I was actually very pleased with him. It is his second ever freestyle and it was lots of big asks for him today. It was a good experience for him and I am deffinately pleased with him.

Anna Kasprzak DEN

- I had many many highlights, I think my passage and piaff was good and I think he was really fresh. I had mistakes in the two tempi, that was expencive, I lost him a bit in the corner before. But I am really happy both with the feeling and with my score.

Madeleine Witte Vrees NED

- I am quite happy, I know we can be even better, I was riding bit to fast to the piruottes, that was my mistake and I can only blame myself for that. The hole picture can be a little bit expressive, but for now I am really happy with him.

Mød landsholdsdyrlægen Frederik Nielsen (video)

Frederik Nielsen er ny landsholdsdyrlæge og med for første gang. Hør lidt om hans oplevelser og de dyrlæge mæssige rutiner under Europamesterskaberne i Göteborg. 

Målet var EM (video)

En top stolt Anna Zibrandtsen som slutter som nr. 6 i küren

For 4 måneder siden købte Anna Zibrandtsen hingsten Arlando. Et af målene var at kunne kvalificere sig til EM og få en plads på det danske landshold. Den del blev fakta efter et par flotte ture i Aachen, hvor ekvipagen beviste overfor både sig selv og landstræner Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein at de var et nyt kort til det danske hold. 

I dag kunne Anna så ride ad midten for første gang nogensinde i kür, og ydermere bliver placeret som nr. 6 - en enestående præstation, som giver genlyd overalt. 

Det danske landshold brillierede også med at faktisk alle 4 ekvipager var kvalificeret til küren, hvilket aldrig før er sket, og så slutter de 3 ekvipager som fik adgang til küren som nr. 3, 6 og 7 - dressurhistorie når det er bedst. 

Med sådan en afslutning, kan landstræneren nu "læne sig tilbage", og holde en velfortjent ferie, for Danmark har nu opfyldt kravet fra Team Danmark om fortsat støtte, som betyder at der kan lægges seriøse planer for fremtiden. Kravet fra Team Danmark hed medalje til EM.

Margins at today´s freestyle scoreboard in favor of Werth (video part of press conference)

Just 0,368% difference between Gold and Silver today with 7 judges

Another great day with great sport, even though H2R favorite Sönke Rothenberger did not win the well deserved gold medal, he told at the press conference that it was actually a silvermedal with a golden edge. 

Looking into the details of the scoring Sönke manage to get 7 x 10 for music and interpretation of the music. Looks like a clear we sign from the judges - this was outstanding, unfortunately still not enough to bring Sönke in from of Werth. 

Sönke had just a small blip at the end of the one times when finishing a bit to close to C, but he manage to do them ones more without any issues. From there it was pure pleasure to watch, eventhough H2R is not the biggest fan of the style of music. The qualities of the exercises and the suppleness of Cosmo are just at higher level than Weihegold - and that makes the difference today seem from H2R point of view. 

Atterupgaards Cassidy and Cathrine Dufour, just shows so much strength going in there knowing what to beat to be the new leader and keep herself a bronze spot. Just two smaller issues when the 2nd double pirouette becomes a bit big and the 2nd piaffe lack a bit of impulsion, but from there it was pure lightness with high quality. 

So as predicted the gold battle was between Werth and Rothenberger and the bronze battle was between Dufour and Hester. 

Hester is a true master, but the qualities from the horses and the quality of the exercises makes the clear difference between a medal or just outside the medals. 

It’s double-gold for Werth and Weihegold as they win the Dressage Grand Prix Special

FEI press release

Germany's Sonke Rothenberger (silver) and Isabell Werth (gold), along with Denmark's Cathrine Dufour (bronze) on the podium for today's Dressage Grand Prix Special at the FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden.  (FEI/Richard Juillart)

German legend sees off serious challenge from team-mate Rothenberger; young horses and riders sparkle under the spotlight

Germany’s Isabell Werth (45) and her lovely mare Weihegold waltzed their way to gold in the Grand Prix Special at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden today. But the doyenne of world Dressage was chased to the line by compatriot, Sonke Rothenberger (22), who joined her on the top step of the team podium on Wednesday, while Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour (25) produced a brilliant performance to claim bronze. 

This was Werth’s third FEI European Championships Grand Prix Special title, her first claimed with Gigolo when the Special was introduced at Donaueschingen (GER) in 1991 and the next three years later in Lipica (SLO). Team-mate Rothenberger joked afterwards that his age combined with Dufour’s matched Werth’s, but youth had to wait for its day once again today as the most medalled athlete in the history of international equestrian sport reigned supreme once more.

"Weihe is in the best form ever! It was a clear test without mistakes and with a lot of precision, so I’m completely happy! For me the challenge was to take enough risk but not too much because I knew the rest behind me want to make me angry!!"

Isabell Werth GER

Weihe translates from German as “ordains”, and so far this week that is exactly what the super mare and her extraordinary rider have done, dictating the destination of team gold with the only over-80% score two days ago and putting the biggest mark of 82.613 on the board this evening. But Rothenberger took silver with 82.479 and looks a serious future threat. “I watch the best riders and I steal with my eyes!” he said earlier in the week. It looks like it won’t be long before he’ll be stealing their limelight too. He’s confident and ambitious, and rightly so.

"I know my horse (Cosmo) can do it, and I never doubted from the first day I sat on him that he could beat anybody if things work out the way I would want, but it’s always a different story to bring it on the day, which is what Isabell is so good at….doing it on the day, on the spot when you need it and that’s what we try to work on, and that’s what we train for every day. We are getting closer and closer, but we are not quite there yet!” 

Sonke Rothenberger GER

Dufour meanwhile is also in sparkling form with the 14-year-old Atterupgaards Cassidy who has been with her through “a journey from Juniors seven years ago”. Posting 79.762 she pinned Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen (34) into fourth with the stallion Dante Weltino, who like Rothenberger’s Cosmo is an exceptional talent at just 10 years old, and who earned a mark of 78.585 for an exquisitely elegant test.

The big question now is whether the Werth and Weihegold, team gold and individual silver medallists at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, can make it a hat-trick of 2017 European titles by topping tomorrow’s Freestyle in which today’s top-15 have earned a place.

Dressage Result: Grand Prix Special

1. Weihegold OLD (Isabell Werth) GER               -     83.613

2. Cosmo (Sonke Rothenberger) GER                 -     82.479

3. atterupgaards Cassidy (Cathrine Dufour) DEN -   79.762

FULL RESULTS

Sonke Rothenberger GER (silver)

Talking about talking about his family and his relationship with his horse:

“We can’t think of a life without horses! I always thought when you have a jumping horse and you jump a 1.60m obstacle you get goosebumps and the feeling of being on a roller-coaster that you can’t have that on a dressage horse - until I sat on Cosmo, and then I realised he gives me that feeling as well!” 

Francis Verbeek van Rooy (NED) Judge at C

“It’s very exciting, the other two (Rothenberger and Dufour) are so young and they are the future of our sport - there are now so many young people on top level world-wide.”

Atterupgaards Cassidy and Cathrine Dufour DEN - Photo FEI/Claes Jakobsson

Flashquotes from Friday´s Grand Prix Special

Jordi Domingo Coll ESP 

”I was pleased with many things but I did a big mistake, the horse lost concentration for a few moments and he was not with me. I think this mistake will put us very low on the results and it is a pity this happened. But on the other hand, my horse is only 10 years old and we are not so experienced, so this is something we can improve for the future. I am happy with the rest of the performance and just not happy with the mistake. The show here is amazing, with great venue and amazing athmosphere – it is a pleasure for us riders to compete here.”

Anna-Mengia Aerne SUI

”I was a little bit over motivated today, and that is why the mistake happened – I think without that my program would have been amazing. I am very happy with the points today. I was very careful with my riding yesterday, so today I decided to risk a bit more and just go for it - and there was more flow in my riding and I am pleased with that. Today’s program is funnier to ride, because you can ride a bit more forward and I enjoy that.”

Arnaud Serre FRA 

”I am very satisfied with my horse, because he is very young and not experienced on this level. We did some small mistakes but it is only the third time we do this kind of program, so I am very happy today. We made a small mistake on piaffe, but all in all I am very happy with my horse! I was not expecting to qualify for the freestyle and we are just gaining experience here. It is a really nice event we have here in Gothenburg.”

Marcela Krinke Susmeij SUI 

”It was absolutely my mistake today, the horse was going good and I cannot blame anyone else for what happened. After the second passage I lost consentration for a second – there are no excuses for that. With the horse I am very happy. I changed the bit for today, because yesterday he was a little unconsistent with the mouth, so we wanted to try something else for today. I am not really the strongest woman, so I have to try an optimize the control by having the correct bit. These kind of mistakes happen when you want to be especially good and try and change things at the last moment. But these mistakes teach you also, so it is only to go forward and try to learn from this experience.” 

Rose Mathisen SWE

”It is my birthday today, but I am not thinking about that when I am riding. It felt really nice going into the ring after getting the medal with the team yesterday - you feel more secure, when there has been some success already. My horse was really good today and I am happy with my result. Having these championships at home is very nice when you succeed, but for sure we are all more nervous than normal, because we are all trying extra hard not to let all the Swedish people down.”

Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN 

”I think my program today was really good. My horse lacked the last spark he had on the first day, so I had to work a little bit harder. I almost had a mistake in the first piruette, but got it right just at the last moment. After getting the team medal here, actually today I felt a lot more pressure, because I was less confident. I really wanted to show everyone and got myself maybe too worked up about it – but in the end I was able to control my nerves.”

Maria Caetano POR 

”I am happy with my horse, he is very young and it is only his second season on this level, so I am very proud of him. The mistake at the end was a pity: he lost one change behind. Passage, piaffe and all the trot work went really well and I am happy about that. The results here have been like my average procent thorughout the season – of course it would be nice to do a bit better at a championship. I think the atmosphere here is very nice and we have good conditions for both horses and riders.”

Tatyana Kosterina RUS 

”It is only my third time riding a Grand Prix Special with my horse, and I am simply very happy. He behaved really cool and did not look at anything, even thou the arena is massive and there is a lot to spook about. I can absolutely not complain about the organisation here, we are very well taken care of. It is a bit of a shame with the weather, but they are doing all they can to keep us and the horses comfortable.”

Laurence Roos BEL 

”I am not happy with my ride today, I made too many mistakes. Maybe my horse was a bit too tired, or maybe I was not concentrated enough. It is all well organised here, there were some small issues in the beginning of the week but it has all been taken care of. We had a last moment change with the team, because the third horse got injured, so we are only two riders here from Belgium. I think it less pressure being here as an individual than being here with a team.”

Belinda Weinbauer AUT

”I was very nervous today, because in the warm-up my horse was really tense, so I was very worried going into the ring. I think our piruettes were better today than yesterday. My horse was fantastic today and I am so happy with him!”

Emile Faurie GBR 

I’m thrilled with the horse, he is inexpierienced but he was a little more alert day. He only have done one Special before. He was a little bit ahead of me. He’s quiet a character and will be an exellent championship horse. I love riding him, he is really fun to ride.

Patrick van der Meer NED

I’ happy whit my ride. He was ait tensed and we had some small mistakes but nothing big. Some mistake in the flying changes and a little tensed in the piaffe but this was one of his best Specials.

Spencer Wilton GBR 

He was a very good boy! Exept for the mistake in temps on the centerline he felt much more confident today. I’m pleased with the score and hopefully we make it to Sunday, even though he hasn’t done so many music.

Madeleine Witte-Vrees NED 

”It was our first Special today, so I can’t be anything but happy. My horse was magnificient today. The little misses that happened were totally my fault – I am very proud of my horse.” 

Jorinde Verwimp BEL 

”I tried to ride more expressive today than yesterday. We had two big mistakes in the canter, so our score dropped. I took a risk today with my riding and this time it did not pay off, but that is how it is sometimes – but at least I can say I tried. I think the show here in Gothenburg is nice and the arena is great to ride on. It is different being here only as an individual and not with the team, now I can only focus on myself. It was very unfortunate that our third rider had to stay home after their horse got injured at the last moment.” 

Edward Gal NED 

”I don’t know what happened, really. My horse felt good in the warm-up, but as soon as I rode in to the arena, I felt a change in him and I knew it was all over there. But what can you do, I still had to finish… For the rest my week here has been good and we have been lucky with the weather, even if it has looked cloudy it has not rained too much. I think my chances to go further for the final are gone now.” 

Daniel Pinto POR 

”The most important thing for me now is that my horse felt great and he is young – we have future championships to take on. What I am really sad about, is that I disappointed my team; when I do a mistake like this, I let them all down. I feel really bad for all of them; my wife, my trainer, my groom, everyone - they follow me and work very hard and it is hard for me to let them down.”

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven SWE 

”We want to have more, so even after the team medal I still feel hungry for success. My horse has never done a championship like this before, so I am extremely proud of him. We have had him since he is three, and I have ridden him for the last year. He has really done great the whole week and I feel fortunate to have the option to come here with him.”

Diederik Van Silfhout NED

”Actually I was really happy with my test even if I had two little mistakes and those were very expensive. It was the second special for my horse so I am very pleased with him. My horse has super mentality and that is why we are here now!”

Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez ESP 

”I am happy, I think I got out what I could, I am happy with the job. My horse was a little bit tense so that cost some points. It is my second time here.

Dorothee Schneider GER

Very happy this was our third international start, he is very young and very talented in piaffe and passage. We had two expensive mistakes but he has gone from his first international start to the team in a very short time.

Anna Zibrandtsen DEN 

Super feeling when we entered the arena and started off very well. He could be more collected in the passage and the piaffe could be better. We are quite unexperienced and this is only our fifth competition. We had an unexpected big mistake in the canter but I managed to come back and do the the tempest whitout mistakes, Our pirouettes was quite good. Not my best test but good enough.

Therese Nilshagen SWE 

Fantastic feeling, he was with me all the way. I heard the audience and I just enjoy it. I wasn’t that nervous today, the bronze medal made me feel that whatever happens we’ve got that.

Fantastisk känsla, han var helt med mig och gjorde precis det jag ville. Jag hörde publiken som applåderade och det känns bara roligt, det är ingenting som stör. Jag var inte lika nervös idag. Bronsmedaljen gav ett visst lugn, vad om än händer sedan så har vi den.

Patrik Kittel SWE

Personal best for Delaunay and I’m so happy. He felt relaxed and in very good shape. He really showed his best. Let the audience give hands the horses have to learn and get used to it.

Cathrine Dufour DEN

I’m so pleased with the test today. He felt real calm today and it was so fun to ride here. I love when the audience give applause on the centerline.

Helen Langenhanenberg GER 

This was not our best performance, he did not doing the piaffe for instance. I have a good feeling but then I lost him. He got hot on tjhe prizegiving in Wednesday. Dont really now why but I couldn’t really get him back from there.

Anna Kasprzak DEN 

Really happy whit my ride today, the piaffes was good and the canterwork was really good I think. My horse felt fine and is really fun to work with. I have a mistake in the halfpass to the right that was quit expensive, everything comes quickly in the Special The arena amazing and there was more spectators today.

No need for big analyzes from today´s Grand Prix Special

Top mood at the press conference after the Grand Prix Special today

Sönke and Cosmo also winners at H2R today

At the press conference after the Grand Prix Special the two young medalists Sönke Rothenberger with Silver and Cathrine Dufour with Bronze told that non of them were interested in making Mrs. Werth angry, but for sure they were both eager to beat her. 

At the scoreboard this did not happen today, but seen from the spectators seat the winner was 22 year old Sönke Rothenberger with his just 10 year old Cosmo. And only the president of the groundjury today at C, Dutch Francis Verbeek van Rooy saw Sönke and Cosmo as the winners too.

The 22-year old Sönke and 25-year old Cathrine are definately the news generation for the top sport, but Werth will for sure never surrender. This fact just makes the sport even more interesting to follow in the future. 

You can find all detailed scores via link here.

And detailed comments about every single combination is available via the NEWS menu here at H2R. 

Start list for tomorrow´s Grand Prix freestyle

Førstehåndskommentarer fra Cathrine, Rune, Nathalie og Kimi

Mere dansker eufori på Ullevi stadion i dag, da tilskuerne fik lov at opleve endnu en fortjent medajle til Danmark. 

Cathrine Dufour gik ind og gjorde det vi alle håbede på - hun tog sammen med hendes 14-årige Atterupgaards Cassidy en fantastisk bronze medalje i dagens individuelle Grand Prix Special.

Lyt til nogle af førstehåndskommentarerne her:

3rd part of Grand Prix Special

Delaunay SWE

Good start, easy extensions / passage, lack bit carriage half passes, could show more expressions for extensions, easy piaffe/passage good flow transitions, nice rhythm for piaffe, good series becomes bit hind vertical, good pirouette could be more centered, easy supple final. Also last 2 meters with applauding home crowd. 

Dante Weltino SWE

Superb expression, power cross half pass, easy in and out passage / extensions lots of power, bit tense extended walk, bit tense piaffe, 2nd better super balanced zig zag, super series, lovely sit control for pirouettes, so easy final and not so polite audience starting applauding after piaffe at X. But Dante and Therese managed in best top style. 

Arlando DEN

Super square halt but open, need bit more reach for extended trot, good half pass, super supple passage, lovely bringing him back from extensions, 75,6% going into walk, 6,4 average of extended walk, bit tense both piaffe lack bit balance, good transition to canter direct from passage, into trot by flying change at zig zag, super preparation for super pirouettes, keeps rhythm and balance very well last piaffe, open final halt.

Sammy Davis Jr GER

Good start, half pass becomes bit unbalanced for both and lack bit carriage, strong supple passage/extensions, bit short extended walk, small tensions for piaffe tours, super controlled canter tour, unfortunately lost of balance and forward search for first pirouette, 2nd pirouette better, small lack of energy and rhythm for final piaffe. 

Donnperigon DEN

Square halt bit open, good start, half pass could be more supple, good trot / passage tours, bit short extended walk, collected walk good, good piaffe, extended canter with parallel change hind, bit big pirouettes, very nice final and also applauding for Pepe and Anna for the final meters. 

Damsey GER

Good start, half pass lack carriage and suppleness, lack bit sharpness on the letters passage / extensions, marching extended walk, rejects and kicks for 1st piaffe, 2nd piaffe limited energy, error change between zig zag, super mid with both pirouettes of top quality, traveling final piaffe. 

Weihegold GER  

Not square halt, half pass lack more crossing, super passage bit cautious extensions, good walk, couple of double steps into 1st piaffe, 2nd piaffe lack bit energy, solid canter tour with superb pirouettes, smooth final - applauding final. 

Atterupgaards Cassidy DEN

Open square halt, good extended trot, half pass lack bit bend, smooth passage / extensions, superb walk, good piaffe tours, bit swing passage, top control and quality for canter tour, super nice smooth final with full support from the sudience. 

Cosmo GER

This trot / passage tour is just WORLD CLASS, half passes could show bit more cross, good walk, easy piaffes, WAUW 2 times, WAUW 1 times, error change after extended canter, superb pirouettes, smooth easy supple final - GOLD MEDAL AT H2R.

Nip Tuck GBR

Super h, bit unbalanced extended trot, good passage, sharp on letters, first piaffe becomes bit unbalanced 2nd better, super sharp canter tour, high class series and pirouettes. Super nice final.

2nd part Grand Prix Special

Super Nova II GBR

Power start, lots of expression super flow, sharp into passage, strong extensions, super carriage flow half passes, 76% into walk, good walk, love bouncy sit in piaffe smooth transitions, well balanced zig zag, series super ground cover, slight unbalanced 1st piroutte, error series mid, super sit balance 2nd pio, lovely final centerline.

Zippo NED

Good start, good passage / extended trot tours, good half passes, could show more expression in general, superb extended walk, good piaffe, error transition between zig zag canter, 1st change 1 times with parallel hind, change after extended canter not clear through, pirouettes lack more sit, good final center line.

Lollipop GBR

Good extended trot, half pass lack more carriage, nice expression for passage good elevation, light forehand, extended walk could show more relaxation over the back, kicks into 1st piaffe, 2nd good activity, error 2 times, slight lost of impuls into 1st pirouette, 2nd nice balanced, lack clear balance for final piaffe.  

Cennin NED 

Good start, expressive extension, lack more carriage for half pass, expressive extensions good passage, good walk, lack energy for piaffe, lost passage slight turn towards transition to canter, wrong canter, good series, keeps energy for pirouette, good final.

Tiamo BEL 

Nice flow and go for start, good power balanced half pass left, right bit unbalanced, takes risk for extended trot, good walk, too quick rhythm for piaffe need more relaxation, error 2 times, very tense 1 times, well controlled pirouettes, 2nd bit big, good final, open halt.

Glock's Voice NED

Good start, superb half pass left, small tensions hind in passage, canter into half pass to right but quick back into trot, good walk, good 1st piaffe and transition, 2nd piaffe with few steps tension out, canter half passes super, good pirouettes, error hind for series at centerline, good final. 

Santurion de Massa POR

Good halt but bit tense contact, lack more cross for half pass, half pass right lack more balance, need more flow/go for passage/extensions, bit tense extended walk, good bouncy piaffe with nice sit and good transitions, wrong route forgot zig zag canter, good series, super control sit and bend for both pirouettes, strong final.

Paridon Magi SWE

Good start, half pass lack more carriage, half pass left lack bend, good passage, bit unbalanced collected walk, not 12-15 piaffe steps, strong canter tour with good series and pirouettes, best piaffe at final centerline. 

Four Seasons NED

Strong start, lovely supple extensions,  good passage, nice frame, 75% after trot, tense walk, drops to 71.5%, well balanced tour, bit big 1st pio, super sit and control for 2nd pio, very strong final with smooth passage/piaffe/passage and good halt.  

Deep Impact ESP

Superb extended trot, super balance half pass, small tension hind coming from extended going to passage, but cautious extended walk, some resistance into 1st piaffe tense piaffe, 2nd better, good series, good pirouettes, bit late transitions at M, final piaffe slight forward.

Running comments during Grand Prix Special

Mango Statesman ESP

Good start, nice halt, good flow had pass left, half pass right with canter does not manage to trot. Good passage/extended trot tours could be bit sharper on letters. Good relaxed walk, good piaffe / passage small lack of beat start of piaffe. Good zig zag canter. 1 change hind parallel hind 2 times, 1 change not clear 15 one times, super nice control/sit pirouettes. Good final. 

Raffaelo v. Bene SUI

Good start, nice flow half pass left, expressive extended trot tours, slight unsteady mouth, good passage, could be a bit more sharp on letters, good walk, good piaffe passage tours, good transitions, 2nd last change 2 times bit small, good control and quality for both pirouettes, error 1 times at centerline, superb final but open halt. 

Ultrablue de Massa FRA

Bit running extended trot, nice flow half pass, lack more clear transition to passage, half pass right bit deep form, good passage, could show more expression, extended walk lack more over the back relaxation, tense piaffe lack clear transition out both piaffes, bit tense zig zag, bit hectic one times, good bit hectic big pirouettes, very open frame for final piaffe.

Smeyers Molberg SUI

Good start, nice extended trot, super sharp into 1st passage, clockwork passage, lack carriage half pass right, wrong route, forgot long side extended trot, good walk, good piaffe/transitions, very solid canter tour, but both pirouettes missing more sit and correct center, good final, open halt.

Zuidenwind SWE

Good halt, nice extended trot, good frame, active flow for half pass, nice transition to first passage, smooth in and out trot/passage, good expression, good walk could show bit more relaxation, good piaffe/transitions, now bit open mouth for canter, good quality series, pirouettes bit big, 2nd becomes slightly overturned, easy final centerline. 

Jojo AZ

Good halt and forward, good extended trot, active half pass, active passage, good on letters, keeps him nice up in front of aides all trot tour, very low scoring just 70% after trot, good walk, piaffe on the spot, 2nd piaffe small disturb hind, bit tight neck for zig zag, super series, good control for both pirouttes, super smooth final centerline, piaffe at the spot. Their best ever test - congrats. 

Coroado POR

Lack bit more forward exetended trot, high neck half pass, lack more push hind for passage and transitions to extended trot, good walk, good rhythm for piaffe/passage tours, error 1 times swinging back, pirouettes need more control, looked like just 7 one times!, good centerline.

Diavolessa RUS

Expressive extended trot, nice half passes, could be more sharp on letters, regular passage, good extensions, nice relaxed walk, superb collected walk, easy piaffe/passage small tensions 2nd piaffe, zig zag+, some tensions one times, nice centerline pirouttes but lack more sit, very nice final. 

Fil Rouge BEL 

Expressive extended trot, supple half pass, could be sharper from extended trot back to passage, regular passage, nice frame and contact, good walk, tense into 1st piaffe, 2nd smooth. Including transitions, tense transition to canter crop high, error end 2 times, error mid 1 times, good pirouttes but 2nd becomes big, smooth final. 

Sohnlein Brilliant MJ AUT

Open halt, lovely extended trot top expression, half pass with nice power, uphill nice mouth, ears picked, good power passage/trot tours, good 1st piaffe, early and bit hind aides 2nd piaffe small resistance, huge expressive series, 7,8 average for 2 times, bit big pirouttes but nice quality, lack more clear flow into piaffe. Bit cautious piaffe. 

"SAAB Top 10 Dressage" gonna be something very special

Top event at Stockholm Horse Show  

The concept is clear, competition for the best top 10 combinations from the World Ranking.

Swedish Patrik Kittel is the entrepreneur and man behind the concept which is supported by Saab.

The top 8 riders as of FEI World Ranking 21 October 2017 of which 1 has to be best ranked Swedish regardless place + 2 OC Wild Cards.

The two OC Wild Cards will be appointed by Patrik Kittel, and as Kittel explained at the press conference today, the Wild Cards could be for an upcoming new combination on their way at the World Ranking list, or ex. a toprider with a new exciting horse at international Grand Prix level. 

To ensure the field of a total of 10 combinations, there will be nominated 2 reserve combinations, which will recieve a kind of "stand by fee".

The competition will be in held in Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle, and the total price money in 2017 is 158.000 euros + a VW Tiguan. Price money for 2018 will be a total of 250.000 euros + a VW Tiguan. 

In addition to SAAB Top 10 Dressage, there will be Young Horses classes, national small tour and U25.

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Photo impressions from today´s press conference

Cathrine Dufour, Patrik Kittel and Isabell Werth

Selfie time with Isabell Werth

Presentation of SAAB Top 10 Dressage

Kittel and Dufour

Kittel doing interviews

Dufour also busy doing interviews

Individual medals at Southeast Asian Games

Podium, judges and grooms - private photo.

Ones again the sisters Quzandria Nur Muhammad Fathil and showed their strength winning individual Gold and Silver medals today at Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. Bronze went to Caroline Chew.

Quzandria rode her newly purchased Rosenstolz. Winning score for two tests 152,029% and then she secured herself the individual Gold medal. Quzandria is now also 5 month into her pregnancy. Follow by her brother Qabil with Walkuere winning the silver medal scoring 149,547 - both trained by Dennis Fisker from Julianelyst in Denmark. 

Next goal for the sisters are 2018 Games in Philippines.

Bronze was won by Caroline Chew with her Danish Warmblood gelding Tribiani. Caroline is living in Britain where she is training with Matt Frost.

Source: http://www.kualalumpur2017.com.my/

Werth, Kittel and Dufour about the Championships before tomorrow´s Grand Prix Special (video)

All three top riders tells a bit about Gothenburg and their preparations for the Special. 

“Two more days, and we hope we can keep the rest behind us.”

— Isabell Werth - GER

“From now on it´s just upwards and happiness.”

— Patrik Kittel - SWE

“If I can stay in like top 3 og 4 it´s really good I think, and of course a medal would be a huge dream.”

— Cathrine Dufour - DEN

Start list for tomorrow´s individual Grand Prix Special

Bronze for Sweden, Great Britain 4th and The Netherlands 5th

Common for the Swedish, British and Dutch teams were, that they were not showing their absolute strongst teams for Championships.

Sweden was missing Don Auriello, Great Britain was missing their 4th team member, as Don Carissmo substained an injury, and The Netherlands were first missing Glock´s Johnson, then missing Apache, and at the end Dutch media´s writes that Cennin has not been really fit before going to the Championships. 

Bronze medals

But eventhough Sweden manage to get top benefit from their team, with long time team member Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén and Paridon Magi scoring 72,857%, which of course not was a real top medal score and then "anchorman" Patrik Kittel and Delaunay scoring 73,857%. Young Therese Nilshagen and her top horse Dante Weltino OLD provided their personal best and also team best score for Sweden with 74,429%. Unfortunately Rose Mathiesen and Zuidenwind did not show their best for the team performance this time. 

4th place

Bad luck and errors for Spencer Wilton with Super Nova unfortunately kept the "small" British team away from the bronze medal. Super smooth and well balanced controlled test until the first canter pirouette where Super Nova loosing the balance and forward search and then goes into trot. Unfortunately Spencer does not manage to catch the canter again before the change at X as Super Nova keep on trotting - back luck and very expensive. Spencer manage to finish the final centerline in top style eventhough "the battle already was lost". 

5th place

The Dutch team came to Gothenburg with Cennin as their strongest card, but the well moving chestnut stallion was not really strutting his stuff, and looked in general, except the extended trot tours, a bit weak and tired.  

Edward Gal and Glock´s Voice did a strong and clear test, but with some minor issues and his piaffe tours were a bit limited when counting the steps. 

The other teams

Portugal were showing their best team ever for the Championships, and it was great to feel the atmosphere at the grandstands, when the portuguese were cheering and encouraging their team members. A strong team - also for the future, for a small dressage country.

Spain was also very "sore" with the exit from Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado. Severo Jurado Lopez was of course their best card, and he showed a clear test with some tensions, and his experience never really brings his horse Deep Impact out of the comfort zone. He goes into the Grand Prix Special with a placement individual as no 15. The teammate Claudio Castillo with Alcaide were not really on form, as Alcaide showed clear more moment of unbalances, and Claudio seemed to ride the entire test with "the handbreak". Wonder if he will go for the Grand Prix Special or instead leave his spot for his countryman Jordi Domingo with Mango Statesman who was placed 31, and then just outside the Grand Prix Special. 

All top 5 teams are ready for Grand Prix Special tomorrow.

Eliminations

From the first day Darko of de Niro ZS CH with Charlotte Lenherr from Swiss was stopped by judge at C due to blood in the mouth. 

Yesterday Russian Mister X and Inessa Merkulova were eliminated after the test by bit control showing blood in the mouth. 

And finally Elmegardens Marquis with Joanne Vaughan from Georgia were eliminated as her horse rejected and was spinning more times.