Four starts, four victories = Anna Kasprzak at CDI2 tour in Herning

Anna Kasprzak and Rock Star at Danish Championships 2017 - photo: H2R

Today with CDI2 win for Danish Anna Kasprzak with her 9 yr old Rock Star

Yesterday´s win for the Danish combination did not look as easy as today. Today with much more natural go and flow. And as Anna tells H2R it is often about the details, and for "Rocky" - Rock Stars stable name, Anna tells: "Rocky is super sensitive in his mouth, and from the training Thursday he just kept putting his tongue over the bits, because of small tensions being in the new huge competition invironment. So we decided just to try to tighten the bits just one single hole up to aviod the problems with the tongue. Today we released the bits again to normal position - still just one hole difference, and that just gave us the normal feeling again, and for both of us a much better test today. I´m very confident about Rocky, to me he is the horse with the whole package, and now we just have to gain more competition experience together", tells a proud Anna Kasprzak finishing her part of the huge event at Herning in super style.

H2R comments during the test:

Rock Star DEN - small tensions for entering halt, good medium trot, bit looking 1st half pass, 2nd good flow, good halt rein back, good 1st passage/piaffe/passage tour, small tensions hind, huge extended walk, slight forward 2nd piaffe good activity, big 2 times, small tension hind into collection before change after extended canter, bit unbalanced zig-zag canter, good 1 times, good pirouettes, lost rhythm/forward search into 2nd pirouette stops, good extended trot, good final bit tense piaffe. Good halt. 71%

Placed 3rd today Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his just 8 yr old Blue Hors Zepter. They did a much more secure test today, eventhough the Grand Prix test is of course much more demanding. 

H2R comments during the test:

Blue Hors Zepter DEN - nice smooth start, good balance and rhythm for half passes, good passage, bit cautious 1st piaffe but keeps the rhythm and good transition. Bit tense extended walk, small issues with transition from walk to passage, 2nd piaffe bit forward lack more clear transitions. Transition to canter bit late, very solid canter tour good series, out of 1st canter pirouette Zepter kicks himself, Daniel stops an continues, 2nd pirouette bit careful, good extended trot, very nice final centerline. Super final halt. 68,220%

The big challenge

From watching the same combinations in the same arena yesterday and today - something has definitely changed.

Not just the first horse Skovlunds Garmin G was very mush affected by the small not invisible FEI WORLD CUP signs sitting inside the fence around the arena. Five out the 11 starters found it very difficult with the new signs and the riders managed with more of less success getting through their tests. A detail to be remembered for the organiser for next 2017. 

The two horses from the Danes Michael Søgaard and Carina Cassøe Krüth were very tense in arena, but both experienced riders managed to stay focused and ended up placed as no 4 and 5 - showing their horses at their international Grand Prix debut. 

See the results here. 

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3rd win for Anna Kasprzak - now CDI2 intermediaire II with Rock Star

Anna Kasprzak and Rock Star at Danish Championships 2017 - photo: H2R

Today´s Intermediaire II with Danish top debut placements

International debut victory for Anna Kasprzak with Rock Star, placed no 3 another international debut combination Betina Jæger with Skovlunds Garmin G, and placed 4th yet another international debut for Carina Cassøe Krüth with May-Day Graftebjerg, and final placement went to another debut combination Michael Søgaard with Gallardo V. 

Danish Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his just 8 yr old international debut horse Blue Hors Zepter, show some great moments, but still with some "baby" errors. 

H2R comments about each ride

Pronto SWE - good start bit big eyes for this big arena, passage lack more clear flow some tense steps hind, nice 1st piaffe, good sit, 2nd piaffe lack bit more energy, last part of passage gets better. Bit short extended walk, tense collected walk, canter pirouette lack more centering, good half passes, 2nd pirouette with better control, error for start of two times, error hind at last part of one times, bit unbalanced extended trot, lack last power/push for final passage. 66,658%

May-Day Graftebjerg DEN - good halt, nice diagonal, good swing zig-zag half passes, good passage could show more push from hind, good transitions into active piaffe steps, bit short extended walk, very well managed 1st canter pirouette with good quality, superb preparation for 2nd and super quality pirouette. Good 2 times, 1 times ok but swinging, good final passage, not square halt. 68,784%

Gallardo V DEN - not square halt, bit running diagonal, half passes lack bit more bend, bit late transition to passage, good transition in and out piaffe, piaffe could show bit more energy, good walk tour, good half passes, bit big pirouette, good series, bit unbalanced extended trot, bit unbalanced hind for final centerline passage. 68,421%

Blue Hors Zepter DEN - good halt, good medium trot, nice zig-zag trot, good passage, tense piaffe jumps but manage some steps, 2nd piaffe bit cautious lack energy at beginning but manage to get the final steps with good rhythm, lack clear more transitions, good walk tour, nice pirouette bit tense out, huge sit for 2nd pirouette, lost balance out, good 2 times, nice 1 times with good expression, nice final passage and good final halt. 68,184%

Scaramouche GER - good halt, nice balanced diagonal, trot half passes lack bit more go and flow, passage need bit more push but regular, good sit piaffe, 2nd piaffe with bit too much sit, superb extended walk trough the body with nice over track, big bit unbalanced 1st pirouette, 2nd pirouette better, good series, final passage lack bit more uphill frame. 70,632%

Vestergaardens Tarsan DEN - Good halt, diagonal need bit more power, good flow trot half passes, late transition to passage, easy in and out from regular piaffe, extended walk lack more relaxation over the back and out trough the shoulders, lost of energy for 1st pirouette, tilting head canter half pass to right, bit spin 2nd pirouette, ok series lack more expression, stocked for transition to trot at C, extended trot lack more power from behind, good final passage, backwards final halt. 67,275%

Zantos NED - good halt, bit running diagonal, half passes lack more carriage and flow, passage lack more clear forward search very much work from the rider for piaffe and transitions, bit short walk, very much work from rider for the entire canter tour, hind aides for the pirouettes, series lack more quality, running unbalanced extended trot. 64,842%

Charmeur SWE - good halt, expressive diagonal, good flow half passes, good expression for passage, active much forward piaffes good transitions, good walk tour, lost balance for 1st canter pirouette, 2nd pirouette bit unbalanced, nice expression for 2 times, error at the end of 1 times, good extended trot, bit high tempo for final passage, halt not steady. 68,079%

Rock Star DEN - good halt, good diagonal, bit cautious half passes, good passage, lost passage before 1st piaffe with huge sit, 2nd piaffe with good transitions, huge relaxed extended walk with big over track, good collected walk, good 1st pirouette, huge sit and well managed out, 2nd pirouette becomes slightly hind riders aides, parallel hind 1st change for 1 times, stops for transition to trot at C, good final passage, open halt. 71,816%

Amberson SWE - unsteady halt open mouth, lack carriage and suppleness for trot zig-zag, lack clear passage, some resistance for piaffe lack of energy, good extended walk, hind aides for 1st canter pirouette, 2nd better, ok series but lack more suppleness and groundcover, lack bit energy for final centerline. 62,753%

Skovlunds Garmin G DEN - bit open halt, nice expressive diagonal, good trot half passes, lack bit clear transition into passage, bit limited piaffe steps and lack more clear transition out, good walk, good 1st pirouette, early change after medium canter, good series, power extended trot, nice flow final passage, good halt. 69,579%

See the results here. 

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Unfortunately no competition at CDI3 in Helsinki, Finland for Skovens Rafael

For the Danish combination Lotte Skjærbæk and her Danish Warmblood stallion Skovens Rafael the competition at CDI3 in Helsinki unfortunately finished before it even started. 

After having done a nice training in the arena, Lotte left Skovens Rafael for a small rest. And when Lotte and her husband Per came back to the stables they experienced that something had happend in the box. The shoe was nearly ripped off and and Rafael had made a serious bruise. 

Of cource very disappointing going all the way to Finland, just to return now. But at least they got one good experience, as they have never travelled that far before with Rafael. And this part he did really great Lotte told. The trip had to be done in parts. First about 11 hours drive from Denmark to Stockholm, then 5-6 hours rest in a stable with some hand walking, and then again about 10 hours with boat to Finland, finishing with 1,5 hours drive before reaching Helsinki. 

Lotte and Per tells that it is a great venue, and it is really well organised, with great hospitality. Today´s Grand Prix was won by Swedish Jeanne Högberg with Duendecello P with 70,40% - see the entire results here. 

The hoof from Skovens Rafael - private photo from Lotte Skjærbæk

Kasprzak and Quarton also took CDI2 Intermediare I victory today in Herning

Top concentrated Anna Kasprzak during Uggerhalne 2017 - Photo: H2R

Today Anna and Quarton showed a more expressive and powerful test than yesterday´s Prix Sct. Georg. Super nice flow for the trot tour, good walk with both nice collection and good relaxation for the extended walk. Slightly hot start of the canter, but Anna manage very well and keeps the flow. Lots of energy and nice natural forward search all the way, super sharp hindlegs showing nice through changes, unfortunately with a small error for the two times, as there is one change with 3 strides between. Super nice sit and balance for the canter pirouettes. 

Another 2nd placement for the big impressive Danish Warmblood gelding Midtgårdens Showhit with Allan Skov. Also Allan manage to show more expression from the begining today, with nice flow and balance for the trot tour and superb walk tour. Into the transition to canter at P Showhit starts with a few trot strides. The start of the canter tour looks a bit tense as if Showhit is not really in front of the aides as we saw him in the trot and walk tour. Bit cautious flying change after the medium canter and lost of canter after the zig-zag when turning at C, but Allan keeps him focused and showing a solid canter tour with nice pirouettes, where the 2nd could have been more centered. Nice series and super final halt. 

Unfortunately there were some technical issue with the streaming during the test of today´s no 3 Maria Dahl-Bruun with her 16 yr old Volstrupgaards Cassiopeia. From yesterday´s test Cassiopeia looks like a top schoolmaster with both expression and suppleness. 

Danish Susanne Møller Wallin with Sir James showed a good test. Sir James shows nice expression all the way. Good canter tour except the pirouettes where he becomes a bit hind of the riders aides. Series are good, but could be shown with a bit more expression. Nice overall picture. 

Watching the scoring sheets there were some differences, but the most eye catching was the walk scores from judge at H, Mr. Truppa ITL. He saw the scores for Jewels Sir Weibach for a 7 for both the extended walk and the collected walk, while his collegues saw the collected walk for a clear 4 and the extended walk between 4,5 and 6,5.

See the entire results here. 

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The dressage has started at the international event at Herning DEN - today with CDI2 Prix Sct. Georg

Quarton and Anna Kasprazak at CDI at Uggerhalne DEN 2017 - photo: H2R

Almost just a Danish international Prix Sct. Georg class today

Just a single Swedish rider based at Helgstrand Dressage and Australian Tristan Tucker, the rest of the field was pure Danish. 

Seen from the sideline the arena looked as if there were quite a lot of people for this Thursday in Herning, and as one of the coorganisers, Danish Warmblood general manager Casper Cassøe Krüth says he was pretty satisfied about how many people attenting this first dressage day, as there will be much more top sport over the next days - especially in the huge main arena Boxen. Today´s Arena M, as we also knows from the very successful Danish Warmblood stallion licensing (comes up from 7th to 11th March 2018), seems to be a very nice arena for the horses. Non of the horses looked tense from the surroundings when performing tonight. 

International Prix Sct. Georg victory for Danish Anna Kasprazak with her 8 yr old Quarton

Convincing home soil victory for Danish Anna Kasprzak and her Quaterback son Quarton. Bit weak start with entering halt where Quarton is not parallel balanced and resting hind, but from there lovely easy trot tour with nice balance and power. Good walk pirouettes, Good quality of the first canter pirouette, but slightly lost the activity out, second pirouette better balanced all the way. Small error for the 3 times series. Final score 71,526%.

2nd Danish pro rider Allan Show with Midtgårdens Showhit. They were showing a solid test without any technical errors.

3rd placed was Helgstrand Dressage rider Anne Marie Hosbond with Diva Unik showing a supple effortless test. For some moments in the trot tour you could wish for a bit more uphill tendency, but lovely clear bouncy beat all the way. Solid canter tour without any issues. Anne Marie and Diva Unik just shows an easy light overall picture. 

See the entire results here. 

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Trakehner stallion licensing started today - full live stream via Clipmyhorse

From the video presentation for the stallion three stallions looks very interesting.

Today Trakehner stallion licensing has started in Neumünster with presentation of the stallions on hard surfuce.

Friday with free jump and presentation of riding horses, breeding mares and foals for the auction. 

Saturday with presentation free and licensing of stallions. Auction with not licensed stallions.

Sunday comments and premium stallion, and auction of licensed stallions. 

When to watch dressage from Herning - full live stream via Zibrasport Equest and FEI-tv

Today international dressage start in Herning with CDI2 Prix Sct. Georg at 18.00 (Zibrasport - free streaming today)

Friday:

• 8.30 Intermediate I CDI2 - Nathalie Horse Care Arena (Zibrasport - FREE streaming)
• 12.15 Intermediaite II CDI2 - Boxen (Zibrasport - buy access, link below)

Saturday:

• 8.00 Grand Prix CDI2 - Boxen (Zibrasport - buy access, link below)
• 11.30 World Cup Grand Prix - Boxen (FEI-tv free) (DR2 just for Denmark)
• 19.30 Grand Prix CDIU25  - Nathalie Horse Care Arena (Zibrasport - FREE streaming)

Sunday: 

• 9.00 Grand Prix freestyle CDIU25 - Nathalie Horse Care Arena (Zibrasport - FREE streaming)
• 14.30 World Cup Grand Prix freestyle - Boxen (FEI-tv - buy access via FEItv.org)

Links to start and results here.  

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The flags of seven nations will fly in Herning (DEN)

 

FEI Press Release

Fresh from her glorious triple-gold medal-winning triumph at the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in August, defending series champion and Rio 2016 Olympic team champion, Germany’s Isabell Werth, gallops back onto centre stage this weekend when she lines out at the opening leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2017/2018 Western European League at Herning in Denmark.

This world-class annual indoor series brings Dressage, nick-named “the sport of the dancing horses” during the London 2012 Olympic Games, up close and personal to audiences at venues across three continents, with a total of 37 qualifiers taking place in Western and Central Europe, North America and the Pacific region. The world’s best athletes and horses compete to qualify for the grand final in Paris next April and the chance to win the most coveted individual title in the sport, FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion.

The nine-leg Western European qualifying League is particularly competitive and 48-year-old Werth, the most decorated equestrian athlete of all time, will be aiming to clinch the FEI World Cup™ Dressage title for the fourth time at the end of this 33rd season. She won her first in Gothenburg, (SWE) way back in 1992 and claimed the top step of the podium again in Las Vegas (USA) in 2007 before coming back to do it one more time in Omaha (USA) earlier this year. This brought the number of German victories to nine, but the Dutch still head the roll of honour with 13.

The sport of Dressage has continued to enjoy an explosion in popularity throughout the last decade as spectators have been spellbound by spine-tingling performances from the best horse-and-rider combinations. The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the fabulous black stallion Totilas were just one of those who touched their hearts, and then along came Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin with the amazing Valegro who broke every record in the book. In 2014 the British pair scored 94.300 to win the FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier at Olympia in London (GBR), beating their own previous world record of 93.975 set at the same venue a year earlier. Whether any combination can improve on that remains to be seen as this new season rolls along, but it’s certainly going to take something pretty special to do it.

Werth’s 2016 Olympic and 2017 European successes were all recorded with the lovely mare Weihegold, but it is the 16-year-old gelding Don Johnson that she brings to Herning, where she will be joined by fellow-German Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (Zaire-E). The Netherlands will be represented by double FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion Adelinde Cornelissen (Aqiedo), Patrick van der Meer (Zippo) and Katja Gevers (Thriller), while the Swedish contingent includes Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (Paridon Magi), Rose Mathisen (Zuidenwind) and that ultimate showman, Patrik Kittel, with Delaunay. However it is the Danes they may well all have to watch out for.

Anna Zibrandtsen showed formidable form with Arlando at the European Championships even though the 23-year-old rider and the former Dutch team horse are only a very new partnership, while Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Jojo Az can always be relied upon to pull out all the stops. But the biggest threat of all should be the European triple-bronze medal-winning duo of Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy.

They simply sparkled in Gothenburg and can be expected to make a big impression as the season moves on to Lyon (FRA), Stuttgart (GER), Salzburg (AUT), London (GBR), Amsterdam (NED), Neumunster (GER), Gothenburg (SWE) and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) before the Final returns to Paris (FRA) for only the second time in its history. More than a quarter of a century has passed since Finland’s Kyra Kyrklund and Matador were crowned champions at Paris-Bercy in 1991 and so much has happened since then.

The FEI World Cup™ Dressage series has gone from strength to strength, and when the Final returns to the “City of Lights” next year it’s going to be glorious!

For Herning start lists and results click here

Don’t miss a piaffe or a pirouette! - watch it all LIVE on www.fei.tv

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League

2017/18 calendar:

Herning, Denmark 18 - 22 October 2017

Lyon, France 1 - 5 November 2017

Stuttgart, Germany 15 - 19 November 2017

Salzburg, Austria 7 - 10 December 2017

London Olympia, Great Britain 12 - 18 December 2017

Amsterdam, Netherlands 25 - 28 January 2018

Neumünster, Germany 15 - 18 February 2018

Göteborg, Sweden 21 - 25 February 2018

's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands 8 - 11 March 2018

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final - Paris (FRA) 10-15 April 2018

1,5 cm regel på næsebånd fra 1. januar 2018 - dyrlægens vurdering, men hvad med beridernes vurdering?

Det er nok ikke gået ret mange hestefolk forbi, at DRF i dag har publiseret en ny regel som træder i kraft 1. januar 2018.

Der opstår rigtig mange spørgsmål i forbindelse med den nye 1,5 cm regel, og der også rigtig mange meninger, hvis man følger lidt med i debatten på Facebook.

Beder DRF de dansker rytter om i fremtiden at starte stævner i Sverige eller Tyskland, eller hvor er dansk ridesport på vej hen? Der er nok ingen tvivl om at denne regel giver grobund for rigtig mange meninger fra folk som ikke er aktive stævne ryttere, eller som ikke har forstand på eller ønsker hestesporten på det niveau vi kender den i dag. 

At ride med internationalt er som bekendt ikke en mulighed for ret mange, men her er retningslinierne jo klare, og stewards er ansvarlige for at kontrollere hestene når de kommer ud fra banen (i dressur). 

De professionelle øjne som arbejder med både heste og ryttere hver dag

Dansk Ride-Instruktør Forening (DRIF)

Foreningens formål er at samle alle instruktører i Danmark i en forening, således at vi står sammen om at udbrede kendskabet til den korrekte, klassiske ridning. Ligesom foreningen står bag træner- og berideruddannelsen. Foreningen er åben for alle, der har undervisning/ridning som sit hovederhverv.

H2R har fanget DRIF til en kommentar om dagens nye regelsæt:

"DRIF er ikke konsulteret af DRF, vedr det nye regelsæt omkring stramning af næsebånd der træder i kraft 2018. Man ønsker mere indgående kendskab til baggrunden for denne beslutning, og kommer med en officiel udmelding i starten af næste uge."

Et kig på de tre første punkter i de etiske regler omkring DRIF, forklarer med al tydelighed at man fra DRF´s side har valgt at se bort fra fagfolkenes vurdering inden det nye regelsæt er blevet vedtaget.

Retningslinjer for etisk korrekt anvendelse af hesten til ridesport

1. Indenfor al ridesport skal hensynet til hesten prioriteres over alt andet.

2. Hestens velfærd skal gå forud for avlerens, trænerens, rytterens, ejerens, hestehandlerens,

   stævnearrangørens, sponsorens og officials interesser og ønsker.

3. Omsorg for, og den veterinærmedicinske behandling af hesten, skal alene have til formål, at

   fremme dens sundhed og velbefindende.

Note:

Som journalist og passioneret dressurrytter, med hang til fritidsdressur på højt niveau, kan H2R slå fast, at hvis H2R spænder næsebåndet ud så det er 1,5 cm luft, så er det helt sikkert at min hest får hul i munden - det er nemlig afprøvet. Det betyder ikke at næsebåndet er ekstra snørret, det sidder bare tæt til så der ikke opstår unødig uro i munden. 

Læs hele nyheden på DRF "Ny regel for næsebåndets stramhed hos stævneheste" her. 

Archive from Danish national Young Horse Championships is now available for FREE

If you were not able to follow the live streaming from the Danish national Young Horse Championships this weekend, you now have the possibility to watch some of Europes absolute best young horses FREE.

Click at the link here

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Tickets for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) are now on sale to the public

Mark your calendar and secure your tickets for WEG in Tryon USA 2018. Dressage competitions takes place from 12th to 16th September 2018. Ticket package for all dressage 345 USD, about 295 euros.

• 12th September - INDIVIDUAL/TEAM GRAND PRIX
• 13th September - INDIVIDUAL/TEAM GRAND PRIX - MEDALS
• 14th September - INDIVIDUAL GRAND PRIX SPECIAL - MEDALS
• 16th September - INDIVIDUAL GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE - MEDALS

Part of press release:

Tickets now on sale for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018

Read the full press release from Tryon here

Tickets are available online at www.tryon2018.com

Tickets for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 include the following options: a standard Day Pass, Individual Event Pass, All Session Discipline Pass, All Session Day Pass – Weekdays Only, All Games Pass – Week One, All Games Pass – Week Two, and an All Games Pass.

Tickets for the Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies will be available shortly and will be announced on the Tryon 2018 Facebook page.

Due to the high demand for ticket packages, those ticketing types will be offered first. For the first two weeks, ticket packages are going on sale first to ensure that those who want to purchase ticket packages can receive the same seats for all events. Seats will be assigned on a first come, first served basis according to the date and timestamp of the ticket purchase.

Single event ticket sales will launch in November.

On the website you can also sign up to the Tryon newsletter for all information on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018.

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 will offer hundreds of thousands of equestrian and sports fans the opportunity to see the very best athletes and horses from across the globe compete for team and individual world titles in jumping, dressage, para-dressage, eventing, endurance, driving, reining and vaulting. 

No one can touch the three times World Champion Fiontini and Severo Jurado Lopez (video)

Fiontini and Severo Jurado Lopez at Broholm 2017 - Photo: H2R

This combination just delivers every single time. And for the finals Fiontini looked even better than at the World Championships - no need for further comments, judge for yourself from the video below. 

Fritzeck/Rikke Dupont - super nice power trot, supple and expressive, good walk with small tensions, very active canter showing some tensions but without any technical issues - stays very well by his rider all the way.

Kipling/Anne Troensegaard - expressive power trot well balanced, slightly short in the neck for turns and corners, super walk tour, bit tense canter tour, good sit/collection for half pirouettes, bit tense series, small error hind last change.

Præsteskovens Raquel/Ditte Gilkær - supple mover, bit focused at the judging table at the long side, lack bit clear forward search when giving the reins, becomes bit unbalanced, good walk, not clear transitition to canter from walk, becomes a bit long in the frame for extensions both in trot and canter, pirouette lack bit more balance, not clear change after 2nd pirouette, good series.

Full Moon/Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard - nice supple swing, good contact, bit high tempo for the start of the trot tour, "explosion" at the diagonal but managed well, tensions towards judging table, very nice relaxed walk tour with good pirouettes, early change after medium canter, big canter pirouettes with nice sit, good series.

Ryvangs Zafina/Julie Dyrgaard - need a bit more freedom for the trot tour, becomes a bit "creeping" for some moments. Bit short walk, bit tense walk pirouettes, error after medium canter, good pirouettes, nice series.

Freestyle/Katrine Rosa Bjørklund - lack more carriage and power for the trot tour, good walk, walk pirouettes need bit more collection, canter pirouettes also need more collection, counting error last 4t, ok 3 times.

Rostov/Lone Bang Larsen - nice expression for the trot tour, nice rhythm, supple extended walk with good over track, bit big walk pirouettes, well balanced canter pirouettes with nice activity, nice series.

Bonnaquiqui/Rune Willum - small tensions passing judging table. Regular balanced trot in a nice frame, bit big eyes at begin of walk tour, good walk pirouettes, good canter pirouettes, nice series.

Blue Hors Zee Me Blue/Daniel Bachmann - good flow and balance for the trot tour, good walk, 2nd walk pirouette lack more preparation/bend, lost balance slight out of 1st canter pirouette, and 2nd with some parallel jumps hind, 1st change for 4 times not clear, tense 3 times.

See the results here. 

Carina Cassøe Krüth with strong performances with her mares - victory with Heiline´s Danciera and second with Red Diamant

Strong performances from the girls with their mares

Carina Cassøe Krüth was able to step up her two very nice performances from the qualification day, to top performances for both her Danish Warmblood mares in the final.

Carina rode Red Diamant as first rider and took the lead with 8,92. Very focused, effortless and strong performance, and then she could just wait until her second ride with Heiline´s Danciera. And in the meantime keep an eye on yesterdays strongest competitors, Anne-Marie Hosbond with Fräulein Hansemann and Betina Jæger Jensen with Flora.

Anne-Marie showed a very nice test, but with a few issues for the final which kept her away from the podium. Nice balanced trot tour, walk pirouettes lack more collection and quality, and the first flying change with a bit of tension, while the 4th change was not clear.

2nd last to go was again Carina Cassøe Krüth, now with her 2nd horse Heiline´s Danciera. This Fürstenball mare has gained a lot of strength in general since we saw her at World Championships in Ermelo, and Danciera was also very focused about the job today. Elegant and powerful without any tensions - a clear victory.

Betina Jæger Jensen did a great test with the powerful mare Flora, and seen from the sideline with more relaxation, and still lots of power from behind, again shown with superb flying changes where Betina really manage to prepare towards the flying change and get a great expression for the flying change. This performance made it into a well deserved 3rd place at the podium.

Allan Grøn and Blue Hors St. Schufro showed a much more relaxed test today than for the qualifier, but still a bit to much of everything in between. When watching this stallion you also really get the feeling of a future Grand Prix horse, but for the 6 yr old test at the final there were to many issues along the way, and with the 3rd change with a quick kick and the 4th change not clear the overall picture became a bit blurry. For sure one to keep an eye on for the big future. 

Another huge achivement for experienced Bettina Laisbo riding her own bred Trakehner gelding Kut´n Move into a 6th place among the top pro´s. 

See the entire results here. 

Donkey Boy and Jan Møller Christensen showing high class all the way for their 5 yr old Danish Young Horse Championship victory today

Hesselhøj Donkey Boy is a kind of Danish "diamond", not just is he one of the very few Gold medal stallions for Danish Warmblood breeding, he is also showing himself together with Jan Møller Christensen as an outstanding horse for the sport, and his recent decription of his first foals does also just leaves words of praise for him as a breeding stallion. 

Not without reason that everyone around Hesselhøj Donkey Boy are super happy and proud.

Looks like an easy stallion, focused on the task everytime Jan brings him into the arena, and still he looks like a sensitive boy, but he just looks so confident about the job he is doing together with Jan at the competitions. For the finals her was presented in a lovely frame, stabel steady contact in a closed frame, showing lots of suppleness for all 3 gaits. Only thing yet is that he can still be a bit wide behind for the extended trot. Super exciting future, and it really looks like top management from Jan Christensen, his wife and their team at Noagaard.

Therese Nilshagen just purchased her first horse ever at the recent Swedish elite foal auction, a colt by Hesselhøj Donkey Boy, and she was of course also excited about the great scoring for "daddy" at today´s Championships.  

Placed no 2 Atterupgaard Botticelli and Severo Jurado Lopez. They made their 2nd start ever together today for the finals. And from yesterday till today already huge difference. This is gonna be very exciting. The way former rider Selina Solberg VIttinghus was riding the stallion, is clearly also the way Severo wants to continue his way with Botticelli. The balance and relaxation for the canter was much better today, eventhough he got a small error from the first counter canter. And watching the stallion together with the Spaniard at the price giving just say everything - both enjoying the spotlight in a relaxed way. 

Andreas Helgstrand and the big stallion Ferrari showed great form today, but could have scored even higher with at bit more power for the walk in the program. 

Today D´avie and Severo show a super test agan with a small error for the counter canter and some smaller tensions in the program. D´avie is a sensitive horse and still needs a lot of confidence in the arena. They ended up as no 4. 

Other extra special horses from H2R point of view

• Højgaardens Santos - expression, balance and suppleness pure for the trot tour was for sure worth more than a 9,0 today. Smooth easy light riding from Kenneth Damgaard.
• Zippo M.I - again today with a lot of power - much more power than asked for, but Michala manage to keep things under control. Bit on the toes for the walk today, but a horse which really brings some extra. 

Same judging teams for the finals is a MUST

Today´s worst marks was given to Marianne Helgstrand with Vamos Amigos. Yesterday for the qualifier they got 9,0 for the trot. Vamos Amigos is a very talented and powerful horse, and seen from the sideline it looks a bit like "less is more", and this part Marianne really tried and also succeeded for most part of their trot tour today, eventhough Vamos still shows a few ubalanced/hectic trot steps it was for sure not 1,8 lower than day 1 - it was actually much better than day 1!

Exactly this issue could have been eliminated, if the same judges have been in the seats for both the preliminary test and today´s final.

Exits

2 very unfortunate exits from today’s 5 yr old final - Chloe and Rikke Dupont retired as the mare never really settled in the arena today, and Francis and Eric Guardia Martinez steps outside the arena during their test and got eliminated.

See the entire results here. 

Revolution is just something special - winner of Danish Young Horse Championship 4 yr old with 9,7 (video)

So many top young horses at the same place

Starting a normal Sunday watching so many top class young horses was just a pure pleasure. 

Not to demeaning the qualities of the horses at beautiful Stud Blue Hors, but it is not to say that have never had so many attractive horses at the stables, as they have now during this young horse finals. 

From the morning there were not that many spectators at the grandstands, but during the afternoon it became pretty crowded, eventhough there were still free spots. 

The stallion Revolution have already stamped his name all over Europe, first when he was sold for the record price of 1,2 mill euros as a 2,5 year old, later with 2nd highest stallion performance test ever at Danish Warmblood (just surpassed by Sezuan), then going into the finals now for the championships with a total score of 10. Yesterday he proved his qualities under Andreas Helgstrand winning the preliminary round and today with a huge clear winning score of 9,7. Trot 10 - Walk 8,5 - Canter 10 - Submission 10 - Potential 10. 

No 2 became For Emotion with Simone Pearce in the saddle. This stallion is just written all over with Grand Prix for the future, and he will for sure also have the possibilities, as he is new addition at the stables of Danish international top rider Anna Kasprzak. For Emotion got a clear 10 for his canter, everything less would also have been not acceptable. Dream tact, balance and power for the trot could also easily have been with more than a 9,0!

Again Simone Pearce as no 3 this time with Zhaplin Langholt. A superb horse in every way, lots of power, super natural closed frame, but very disappointing from the judging team to just give them 7,5 for the submission with the comments that it is not the way they want to see a 4 yr old horse. (From H2R point of view this horse is build for this frame, and when watching him from for example the stallion show at Helgstrand´s as a 3 yr old, he already at that time showed his ability and confirmation to be natural closed and uphill - no need to show him in his not natural frame). 

Other special horses among the 4 yr old today

It´s a lot about taste when your watching a horse, young or old, but from H2R point of view some of the horses to remember are:

• Dillon - easy, rideable and natural supple in the body
• Silverstone Melody - need more time, good contact, supple canter and walk, and trot can as we all know be developed
• Attterupgaard Delorean - power mare, need more time, but lovely model with the power
• Rock´n Roll - totally under scored today, lovely natural elasticity and super attitude
• Florentina - power mare, to affected by the invironment, for sure much more to show

See the entire results here.  

Top price at yesterdays HANN elite auction - 190.000 euros for 3 yr old stallion by Escolar / De Niro

2nd most expensive sold for 120.000 euros

Girl power in top of the 6 yr old preliminary test today at Blue Hors (video of winner test)

Helgstrand Dressage rider Anne Marie Hosbond showed a lovely effortless and easy winner test with Fräulein Hansemann by Floriscount today. Nice form and flow all the way - very harmonious picture. 

And 2nd also Helstrand Dressage rider Betina Jæger Jensen with the mare Flora. Super sharp hindlegs, which for some moments gives a bit a tensions in the hand of the rider. Well prepared and well performed flying changes. From judges point of view they would like to see more push from behind in the trot, but this is just not possible (from H2R point of view). 

Carina Cassøe Krüth showing both her mares which were part of Danish Warmblood at World Championships in Ermelo this summer. Both girls with more power and strength, very concentrated about the job. Presented in a nice closed frame, well balanced with power.

Allan Grøn and Blue Hors Farrell showed a good test, but Allan unfortunately discoved his canter tour actually was ment to stop at the letter in the corner a bit too late, and not at the centerline towards the final halt. Allan is also ready for the final with the powerful stallion St. Schufro. This stallion shows much more than asked for in the 6 yr old test, so it became a test with a bit too much of everything, but still a very special and exciting stallion for the future. 

Gucci-Sinclair shown by Line Høst Johansen - lovely supple test with good flow and nice overall picture with nice riding.  

Bettina Laisbo showing her Kut´n Move in a very correct test with 3 clear gaits, and really get the feeling that the horse is correct in front of her aides. The overall picture is lacking a bit more freedom from the shoulders. 

Top 15 ready for the final tomorrow - see the results here. 

Preliminary 5 yr old test at Danish Young Horse Championships - 15 finalist ready (videos of no 2 and 3)

Hesselhøj Donkey Boy and Jan Møller Christensen winner of today´s preliminary 5 yr old test with 9,72.

15 best combinations ready for Sunday´s final

Bronze combination from World Championships in Ermelo Danish Warmblood gold medal stallion Hesselhøj Donkey Boy and Jan Møller Christensen proved ones again their strength at the competition arena. Lovely well balanced test. Easy steady uphill frame with a constant clear contact, only two small things were a bit tense rein back and a bit resist before transitition to canter. Scoring: Trot 9,5 - Walk 9,7 - Canter 9,8 - Submission 9,8 - Potential 9,8 = total 9,72.

2nd and 3rd today was Severo Jurado Lopez

Atterupgaards Botticelli is new a Helgstrands stables, as Helgstrand recently purchased half of this talented stallion, and therefore also a very new ride for Severo. They seem to fit eachother very well and the experienced Severo is showing Botticelli in a great way. Light contact in a good frame for the trot tour, supple walk, canter still needs to settle more, as the quality of the canter it self is very good but still showing some tensions over the back, but Severo manage to adjust the things along the way, and Botticelli is also very focused all the way.

Seen from the "sideline" the difference of the scoring for walk and canter was just 0,2, as the walk is still much better than the canter, while the walk is both active and relaxed at the same time. The clear 10 for the submission/rideability seems a bit with different angles, as the judges said 8,5 for the canter because of small issues for transition, and the after rewarding the 10 because of very nice transitions. 

Placed as no 3 was also Severo, this time with the stallion D´avie. Superb frame, steady supple contact always balanced. The only thing rigth now is that D´avie still lack a bit more strength to be able to push more off the ground for the extensions. 

Eventhough Andreas Helgstrand did not show World Championship form together with the big stallion Ferrari, they still showed great qualities and ended up as no 4 sharp followed by his wife Marianne Helgstrand with the expressive Vamos Amigos. Unfortunately Vamos showed some tensions for the trot tour, as the judges apparently didn´t see. No doubt this is a horse for the future but the actually performance is the one the judges has to mark. From H2R point of view it was a clear 8,5 total result, but as the walk was today´s most relaxed and correct gait the marking should have been lower for the trot, higher for the walk and higher for the potential, in order to show a more correct picture of the points from the performance. 

And horses for the future

Placed 6th was another Helgstrand Dressage rider, Eric Guardia Martinez with the expressive and very well moving stallion Francis by Feedback. Active supple mover, positive attitude with 3 super gaits also makes this horse very interesting for the future. 

Nice to see Højgaardens Santos again with Helgstrand Dressage rider Kenneth Damgaard. Lovely light uphill 100% steady contact. Since World Championship in Ermelo Santos has gained more strength. 

Zippo M.I. by Zack / Schufro from CVL Horses with Michala Damm-Frydenberg in the saddle looks like a power horse for the future. Super expression, today a bit of a handful for Michala but she manage very well without any issues.

Rikke Dupont showed her elegant lightfooted mare Chloé by Zack / Don Gregory in a super way. Super active off the ground - also a horse for the future.

Not top placed

No doubt team Helgstrand is very well prepared for the championships showing high quality horses, which makes the task even harder for the rest of the field. 

Blue Hors rider Allan Grøn struggled a bit from tensions with his stallions, and of course their daily invironment is also totally changed with this championship setup at the arena. 

Jan Christensen was showing the big Vivaldi son Vichy Pax in a great and effortless test, and still the judges don´t see the walk as something really good, just maked with 8,0.

Tennessee Tex by Temptation / His Highness with Belinda Elmholt Jeppesen shows a good test with nice flow and good balance, like Cabrina Zillo Geip with Vestervangs Garson by De Noir / Regazzo showing lovely flow and balance just lacking a bit more elasticity from the rider. Hevringholms Delaya by ERA Dancing Hit / Hertug with Maria Bjerg Latrache shows a lovely horse, but looks a bit like the mare needed a bit more rider support to get well balanced all the way. 

See the entire results from today´s 5 yr old class here. 

19.000 euros became top price at HANN Elite foal auction today (total list)

Top price foal by Grey Flanell / Foundation sold for 19.000 euros at HANN elite foal auction. 

Final day at NRW stallion selection with an outstanding not so big Vitalis son

Top stallion co-owned by Helen Langehanenberg

With no 263 the chestnut Vitalis / Johnson / Houston son with just 163 cm stood out. Wow what a boy - copy of this famous sire, with suoer walk, even sharper hindlegs, and like daddy with nice clever attitude - no need to show off. This boy just have the x-factor. He is co-owned by Helen Langehanenberg and Wilhelm Werning. He was of course selected for the licensing. 

261 also by Vivaldi / Dancier showed qualities for the future. 

240 by Rock for Me / De Niro / Rubinstein presented from Lodbergen also stood out. Lovely attitude, lots of suppleness and fantastic stallion expression.

125 by Benicio / Dancier / Weltmeyer, super modern, longlegged, lightfooted with quality.

Notes from H2R after following NRW stallion selection pretty close

Quantensprung offsprings does not bring any extra, most of them gelding like from expression and normal movements. 

Grey Flanell offspring often lack both expression and strength of the topline.

Goldberg offspring brings lovely types, long neck, good gaits but nothing special, and often a bit too much "stargazer" and not really using their back when moving. 

Highlights

Franklin offsprings are beautiful modern, showing power supple movements.

Millennium offsprings are all with lovely round active hindlegs, long neck, lots of expression and not least with suppleness. 

Vitalis is a stallion every breeder must have a mare for - just saying. 

Top boys for the licensing

H2R dare to make a list of top stallions for the upcoming NRW licensing. The stallions for this list are:

• 125 Benicio / Dancier / Weltmeyer
• 152 Escolar / Sir Donnerhall I / Weltmeyer
• 177 Finest / Insterburg / Dream of Glory
• 192 Follow Me / Sir Donnerhall / Florencio
• 196 For Romance I / Fürst Nymphenburg / Samarant
• 199 Franklin / Rubin-Royal / Donnerhall
• 228 Millennium / Lord Loxley / Lancer II
• 240 Rock for Me / De Niro / Rubinstein 
• 263 Vitalis / Johnson / Houston 

See the entire list selected for the licensing here.