The statistics are stacked against them, but the five male athletes competing at next week’s FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2018 Final in Paris (FRA) won’t be intimidated by that….

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Defending champion, Germany’s Isabell Werth, may be clear favourite to reclaim the title with her fabulous mare Weihegold, but as the lady herself so often says, “with horses you just never know what’s going to happen!”, and there isn’t an equine expert in the world who will argue with that. 

A total of 18 combinations from 12 nations will be strutting their stuff at the AccorHotels Arena when the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2018 Final kicks off in the heart of the City of Lights on 11 April. Today’s final start-list (HERE) shows a single change, as Australia’s Mary Hanna has withdrawn with Calanta and is replaced by Great Britain’s Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite. This means that four countries, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden and USA, will field two riders each, but Germany continues to have the largest representation as Werth is joined by Dorothee Schneider riding Sammy Davis Jr., and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Unee BB, giving their country a very strong hand. Making waves as the very first rider from the Philippines to qualify for the Final will be 26-year-old former model, Ellesse Jordan Tzinberg, whose captivating back-story includes a determined recovery from a life-threatening accident, and who is likely to attract plenty of attention throughout the week. 

In the history of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series, which is celebrating its 33rd Final, only four men have ever claimed the coveted title.

First was Germany’s Sven Rothenberger with Andiamo in 1990, and it would be another 19 years before America’s Steffen Peters followed suit with Ravel in 2009. Edward Gal and the amazing stallion, Totilas, were champions in 2010 and then his Dutch counterpart, Hans Peter Minderhoud, came out on top with Glock’s Flirt in 2016. 

Otherwise however the ladies have been the dominant force, and the most dominant of all was the incredible Anky van Grunsven who posted nine victories over an extraordinary 13-year period between 1995 and 2008, a record unlikely ever to be challenged. To a large extent she is responsible for bringing the sport to the level of popularity it enjoys today, as she championed the early development of Dressage Freestyle to Music which has become so popular with audiences all around the world over the intervening years. 

Watching horses “dance” to the rhythm of their Freestyle musical score is quite an experience, the sense of symmetry and the depth of understanding between man and horse is spine-tingling stuff. Edward Gal and Totilas were one of those mesmerising partnerships that left audiences with goose-bumps during their relatively short, but hugely successful, career together, and the Dutchman, the only previous male FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion in contention this time around, brings another really exciting horse to Paris next week, Glock’s Zonik whose extravagant movement has been delighting spectators throughout the winter season.

At 27 years of age Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen will be one of the youngest competitors at the Final, earning his place with three great performances from the stallion, Blue Hors Zack. And although Britain’s Emile Faurie just squeezed into a qualifying spot after having to withdraw at the last leg in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED), he has been showing tremendous form with Delatio who shot to centre-stage when runner-up behind Sweden’s Patrik Kittel at Olympia in London (GBR) in December. 

Kittel of course is a master show-stealer. If you want to easily understand the appeal of Freestyle Dressage then he’s your “go to” rider right now, as his gift for combining crisp, quality choreography with the most toe-tapping music is second to none. And his unbounded enthusiasm is, quite simply, infectious. It was no surprise when he galloped to the top of the Western European League table this season, and he brings the brilliant Deja to Paris in a few days time where the host nation will be represented by Rio Olympians Ludovic Henry and After You.

Girl-power will be out in force, but while the boys will be fewer in number they won’t be overwhelmed.

The FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2018 - bring it on!!

Stjernespækket felt ved Aalborg Dressage Event

Hos Sportsrideklubben Aalborg er forberedelserne i fuld gang forud for det kombinerede CDI*3 og landsstævne i dressur fra 25.-29. april. Stævnet har fokus på talentudvikling med internationale klasser helt fra pony til U25 samt stor- og lilletur for seniorerne. 
 

De nationale klasser har ligeledes fokus på udviklingen af ungdommen. Aalborg Kommune er sponsor for en Cup for hhv. juniorer og youngrider, hvor ryttere der ikke er udtaget til de internationale klasser kan ride med og lære af den internationale stemning. Landstræner for junior- og youngrider Dennis Fisker får et travlt stævne. Ud over at skulle holde øje med de ryttere, han har udtaget til CDI-klasserne er han nemlig selv meldt til start med hesten Rosenstolz. 
 

I skrivende stund ser det ud til, at stævnet bliver helt fyldt ud. 12 nationer har givet tilsagn om deltagelse i CDI*3-klasserne: Australien, Tyskland, Finland, Norge, Sverige, Holland, Japan, Rusland, Sydafrika, Storbritannien, Letland og selvfølgelig Danmark. 
 

Fra Australien skal vi se Kristy Oatley, Mary Hanna og Simone Pearce. Emma Hindle fra Storbritannien kommer med to heste. Danmark stiller også i en stærk opstilling med blandt andet med Agnethe Kirk på Atterupgaards Orthilia. Fra Danmark kommer også Allan Skov/Midtgårdens Showhit og Mai Tofte Olesen/Rustique, der alle tre var med helt fremme ved CDI-stævnet under hingstekåringen i Herning. Det er bestemt ikke mange rideklubber, der har en berider, der selv rider international dressur. Den lokale berider og daglige leder i Sportsrideklubben Aalborg Nikolai Kowalski er klar til stor tur med Gevelts Donna Tella. De har en frisk placering fra CDI-stævnet i Vestfold her i foråret med i bagagen. 
 

U25-klasserne bliver også fyldt med spændende ekvipager, hvor indtil videre Storbritannien, Finland, Sverige og Danmark har tilmeldt sine ryttere. Fra Sverige får vi et gensyn med den dejlige danskavlede hest Herbie Hancock Graftebjerg med Alva Lander i sadlen. Fra Danmark er Nanna Merrald med Gørklintgårds Quantico en af de spændende ekvipager, vi skal se.

Til deltagelse i de nationale klasser er der meldt en del svenske og norske ryttere, der tager en yngre hest med. Det giver også et internationalt touch for de ryttere, der skal starte her. Ponyrytterne, junior- og youngriders er ikke tilmeldt endnu, men også her forventer ansvarlig for CDI-stævnet Jesper Holst Hansen fuldt hus. Han udtaler: 
 

”Der er en overvældende interesse for at deltage i Aalborg Dressage Event fra både danske og udenlandske ryttere. Især stor tur er der efterspørgsel på. Jeg er meget glad for og stolt over, at Sportsrideklubben Aalborg på få år har formået at skabe et så populært stævne, som rytterne er glade for at vende tilbage til. Hele stævnet er bygget op udelukkende om frivillige kræfter fra rideklubben, der igennem lang tid har arbejdet med at arrangere stævnet. Vi er den eneste rideklub i Danmark, der arrangerer et internationalt dressurstævne baseret på frivilligt arbejde. Det giver en særlig stemning og godt sammenhold i klubben.”

Der er sidste frist for tilmelding til CDI-klasserne d. 10. april og til landsstævneklasserne d. 16. april. 
 

The schedules for Equitour Aalborg 2018 are now out!

Severo Jurado Lopez and Deep Impact at Equitour Aalborg 2017 - photo credit: H2R

Severo Jurado Lopez and Deep Impact at Equitour Aalborg 2017 - photo credit: H2R

The schedules for both dressage and jumping are now approved and has been put in the FEI Calender.

Remember to enter your horses before definite entries, which are at May 1st 2018.

We look very much forward to see as many as you as possible at our show in Uggerhalne, and to conduct another successful show for all the participating riders! More information and links to the schedules are found on www.equitour.dk/eng

Legs of Danish Warmblood stallion Skovens Rafael at Equitour 2017 - photo credit: H2R

Legs of Danish Warmblood stallion Skovens Rafael at Equitour 2017 - photo credit: H2R

Successful Van Olst Horses days

A huge setup for this weeks Van Olst Sales and stallion presentation

The preparation did actually start about 3 years ago, when Gertjan purchased about 100 quality foals from breeders around the Netherlands. From that crop about 35 horses were selected last autumn in order to be part of this years exclusive collection for Van Olst Sales. 

Rider team Lottie, Benjamin, Franka and Juan for the auction horses. 

Rider team Lottie, Benjamin, Franka and Juan for the auction horses. 

Since the beginning of January the team has been very busy breaking in all the upcoming 3 year old horses for the auction. Wednesday was the rehearsal with first presentation of the collection for the audience, and at the same time it has been very busy with clients trying the horses.

Exclusive hard cover catalogue for the auction.

Exclusive hard cover catalogue for the auction.

Friday afternoon was the second presentation were you could see all the horses under saddle, and this in comparison with the presentation videos really gave you a nice picture of each horse and it´s qualities. After this presentation you had the oppertunity to check out the vet status, x-rays ect. and of course having an extra look at the horses at the stables, where also the staff was helpful if you wanted to have an extra look at a horse before the auction. 

Audience/buyers ready for the auction. 

Audience/buyers ready for the auction. 

The auction was well organized and all the 3 year old horses were presented by hand for the audience during the bits. The older horses were shown under saddle for the auction. A fair and nice way for the just 3 year old horses, just being shown by hand for the auction, as it was a fully packed arena. 

Most expensive horse became the 7 year old Crosby sold for 270.000 euros. More horses were sold abroad.

More than 2 hours stallion show

Saturday was preparation day for the stallions, as they had be ready for the presentation Sunday afternoon. 

For the first time the stallion show was available via live stream at Clipmyhorse which also gave the rest of the world the oppertunity to see the Van Olst stallions at the stallion show. And Gertjan van Olst welcome both the audience at the arena and the audience from abroad watching via Clipmyhorse (in English). And after the intro Gertjan continued in Dutch and Goffe-Nil van de Zijden took over doing the summary in English at Clipmyhorse. 

The one shining black stallion after the other entered the arena. Very nice presentation where Gertjan for the introduction was telling, that their stallion show would be more of showing the qualities of each stallion at their educational level. 

H2R favorites were Diego, Inspire and a foal by him, Nespresso shown by Anne van Olst and his offsprings, Glamourdale and Everdale both shown by Charlotte Fry - very well educated and on their way towards Grand Prix. 

Preferent Oldies

Negro presenting himself at the stables.

Negro presenting himself at the stables.

The absolute KING of Van Olst Horses is of course Preferent stallion Negro, now 23 years young and looks amazing. Also the former very successful stallion Painted Black who is now a part of the breeding stallions at Van Olst Horses (still owned by Morgan Barbancon) was fresh and good looking shown by hand. 

 

Superb 75,5% national debut victory at S-level for Fürsten-Look with Isabel Freese today at Zeutern (video)

Super work really paid off this weekend for Isabel Freese with breeding stallion Fürsten-Look

The just 7 year old Fürsten-Look did really start the 2018 season with style, winning two national competitions this weekend at Zeutern - the last a S-test with impressive 75,5%. 

Super smooth powerful trot tour in a lovely bouncy balance all the way. Nice crossing for the half passes and easy well balanced voltes. Nice transition to walk, still in front of the riders aides (which became a small issue the other day). Marching walk tour with nice relaxation for the extended walk tour using the entire body. Nice collected walk but could show a bit more collection for the pirouettes - but still in a good rhythm. Smooth canter tour showing good qualities for the half pirouettes and both series with nice flow. 

This combination does for sure look like a serious "player" for both Nürnberger Burg Pokal and World Championships for Young Horses 2018. 

 

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Today it was about the auction at Van Olst Horses (photo impressions)

A huge set up and a lot of people being busy in order to make it all happen today at Van Olst Sales. 

Most expensive horse became the 7 year old approved stallion Croby by Chippendale / Flemmingh sold for 270.000 euros. 

Program til Åbent Hus hos HPhorses - den 14. april kl. 14.00

Nyhed på HP Horses i dag

Nu nærmer årets store dag sig hos HPhorses og som altid kan vi næsten ikke vente. Der er lagt op til en fuldstændigt fantastisk dag, hvor vi skal fejre Fürstenball`s flotte udnævnelse til årets hingst, nyde Total Hope, Fürsten-Look, De Angelo og Sansibar AK. Derudover vil vi vise en flot kollektion af sportsheste, lovende ungheste samt hopper med føl.

Vi er værter med bobler, kage, kaffe og the, samt som altid pølsevognen.

Velkomst og præsentation af arrangementet og speakere ved Per Springborg og Dennis Fisker.

 

  • Fürsten-Look (Fürstenball x Londonderry) og Isabel Freese.
  • Grosse Freude (Fürstenball x De Niro) med Maja Juul. 
  • Delizia (Fürstenball x De Noir) med Maria Falkner Hansen.
  • Tiramisu (Fürstenball x Florencio) med Rose Marie Henriksen.
  • Sansibar AK (Sandro Hit x Fürst Heinrich) med Heiko Klausing.
  • De Angelo (Don Schufro x Stedinger) med Julia Watzec.
  • Emperadora (Sir Donnerhall x Feiner Stern) med Maria Falkner Hansen.
  • Elderflower  (Hoftanz x Sir Donnerhall) med Tine Ravn Nørrevang.
  • A la Fasine (Apache x Fürst Romancier) med Heiko Klausing.
  • Elfenliebe (Diamond Hit x De Niro) med Maria Falkner Hansen.
  • Donna Silver (Don Schufro x Willemoes) med Rose Marie Henriksen.
  • Be My Beauty Queen  (Bonds x San Amour)
  • Best of Mount st. John  (Fürst Romancier x Bordeaux) med Maria Falkner Hansen.
  • Dollar Girl (De Niro x Amour) med Tine Ravn Nørrevang.
  • De Bruyne  (De Niro x San Amour)
  • HP Mirabella (Bretton Woods x Sir Donnerhall) med hoppe føl efter Vitalis HP Mi Amor
  • Esperanta (Don Romantic x Feiner Stern) med hoppeføl efter Fürstenball HP Esclusive
  • Fürstin Weihe (Fürst Romancier x Don Schufro)
  • Damiana (Damon Hill x Fürst Romancier)
  • Viva Gold (Vitalis x Damon Hill)
  • Damon Gold (Damon Hill x Fürst Romancier) med Maria Falkner Hansen
  • Total Hope (Totilas x Don Schufro) med Pernilla Andrè Hokfelt

Afslutning

Auction Focus - Van Olst Sales, KING LEATHERDALE O

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Lovely modern type, easy off the ground with nice round and strong hindlegs. 

King Leatherdale O is a stunning Lord Leatherdale-son. He reacts attentively to his rider’s aids. His sensitivity means that he is suitable for the more experienced rider. King Leatherdale O’s dressage talent is no coincidence, as proven by his dam Vinesse. She is competing at Z2-level dressage just as Businessman, by Vivaldi, and Cinderella, by Vivaldi, who are both out of the same mother. Granddam Kimberley, by Wolfgang, is the mother of four horses competing at Z-level dressage or higher and grandmother of the KWPN-approved Ferdinand, by Vivaldi, five Z-level horses and two Small Tour-level horses.

Watch the entire collection here. 

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2018: Pirouetting to Paris for the Final showdown - bring it on!!

FEI PRESS RELEASE

Show-stealer, Sweden's Patrik Kittel, celebrates with fans after his victory in the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2018 Western European League at Olympia, London (GBR) in December. He joins 17 other qualified riders, from all around the g…

Show-stealer, Sweden's Patrik Kittel, celebrates with fans after his victory in the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2018 Western European League at Olympia, London (GBR) in December. He joins 17 other qualified riders, from all around the globe, at the 2018 series in Paris (FRA) where the action takes place from 11 to 15 April.  (FEI/Jon Stroud)

Paris, the City of Lights, will welcome 18 horse-and-rider combinations from all around the globe for the 33rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in two weeks time, but can any of them stop Isabell Werth from winning her fourth title?

The 2018 Final looks set to be a superb piece of sporting theatre, with a fascinating cast of players and the prospect of a whole series of electrifying performances when the curtain is raised at the AccorHotels Arena in the French capital city.

Put together Sweden’s Patrik Kittel (41), Mr Entertainment himself, whose infectious exuberance saw him give almost the entire audience a celebratory “high five” after his brilliant victory at Olympia in London (GBR) last December, the Netherlands’ Edward Gal (48) whose stunning stallion Glock’s Zonik has been attracting gasps of delight over the winter months, and America’s Laura Graves (30) who is likely to give the defending champion a real run for her money.

Add into the mix a host of other contenders including the intriguing Ellesse Tzingberg (26) who recovered from a life-threatening car crash, was discovered in Paris by a modelling agency, traded the catwalk for the Dressage arena and is the first-ever athlete to represent The Philippines at the Final, and top it off with the one they all have to beat, the incredible Isabell Werth (48) from Germany who is on yet another roll right now, and you have all the ingredients for a blockbuster!

It has been an amazing qualifying season filled with exciting newcomers, old favourites, big clashes and some magical moments. Now it’s down to the wire, with 18 horse-and-rider combinations from 13 countries chasing down the 2018 title. The 33rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final is going to be a classic...

For Werth, the number one rider in the World Rankings and the most medalled athlete in the history of equestrian sport, it might all look like a walk in the park as she heads to this year’s finale. But that’s not her style. She takes nothing for granted, and throughout the entire Western European League series she has celebrated every one of her four victories like it was her very first.

It was with her top ride, the fabulous mare Weihegold OLD, that she claimed the title for only the third time in her sparkling career in Omaha (USA) 12 months ago where she pinned Graves and Verdades into runner-up spot. The American rider posted a personal-best Grand Prix Freestyle score of 85.307 that day, while Werth’s winning mark was a massive 90.704, but Graves demonstrated the increasing threat she poses when turning the tables in the Grand Prix Special in Aachen (GER) three months later where the crack German duo had to settle for second spot.

Graves wasn’t on hand when Werth swept all before her at the Longines FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg (SWE) a month later. It was Werth’s team-mate Sönke Rothenberger who put her under the greatest pressure that week, and he paid the doyenne of Dressage the highest compliment when he pushed her to the absolute maximum but she still managed to find that extra edge.

“This is what Isabell is so good at, producing her very best on the day, on the spot, when she really needs it!” he said.

If her opponents have their way, this phenomenal sportswoman may need to do it all again – and more – in Paris. But as Werth said after claiming all gold in Gothenburg last summer, “it’s good for our sport that they are all trying to beat me. The harder they try, the better I have to be. Bring it on!”

Participants:

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