Dufour and Cassidy getting ready for CDIO5 Nations Cup at Compiegne

When Nations Cup comes up at Compiegne the Danish team will be Cathrine Dufour with Atterupgaards Cassidy, Anders Dahl with Selten HW and Ulrik Mølgaard with Michigan. 

From the Danish national coach Nathalie zu-Sayn Wittgenstein, Dufour and Cassidy are at start in Compeigne for both testing of their outdoor form, and at the same time being able to show at CDIO5 level.

Nathalie will also be at start herself at the CDI3 big tour with her 11 year old gelding M&M´s by Michellino.

Teams for CDIO5 Nations Cup:

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Patrik Kittel: "Our sport need development"

Patrik Kittel - photo credit: H2R

A lot of suggestions has been made over time to try to improve the dressage sport, both in terms of getting more people interested in the sport and also to make general improvements. 

This time Swedish international top rider Patrik Kittel just got the point, in a very transparent and also easy way to implement.

This weekend the Swedish Ridsport published a chronicle (link below in Swedish) where Kittel expresses his thoughts about how to develop the dressage and bring it into 2018 level. 

"It is the horses that must shine, not us riders look like circus artist."

"Even the most fanatic dressage entusiast finds 50-80 combinations too much for the big championships. It gets too boring even for the judges, and it does not show an accurate picture when the competition (team competition) is held over two days."

Patrik Kittel during his clinic at this years Danish Warmblood stallion show in Herning, DEN.

Photo credit: H2R

"I have a suggestion - here you are FEI!" 

"The preliminary Grand Prix test (part of team competition) must be shortened and with own choise of music, with mandary exercises. Every exercise from the Grand Prix test as we know today must be done just one time, except for the piaffe & passage, which must be done twice. The rider must chose own music, but it is only the technical part which must be judged. The rider is making there own lines, but as described above."

"By doing the test with "own" music and own lines, every test becomes kind of unique, and it will become more interesting for the spectators and the judges. The excitement will reach another level because if you miss out an exercise you don´t get the chance later again later."

"And the 25 best individual combinations are like today qualified for the Grand Prix Special, as this test is really demanding and contains a lot of difficult exercises. Like today the 15 best from Grand Prix Special are ready for the individual freestyle. (This freestyle and the Grand Prix Special will be with same format as we know them from today)."

Link for the article in Swedish here. 

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The new Grand Prix test with 2 x 10

From H2R point of view this suggestion is exactly what the dressage sport need. As a kind of neard myself I must admit that the big championships are getting boring for the first two days with the team competitions - so this is a clear 10 for the initiative and a clear 10 for the outcome for the sport to Mr. Patrik Kittel. 

More specific about the test H2R did ask Kittel for a bit of details.

Kittel tell: "The test should be as mentioned before with just one exercise of each exercise from today´s Grand Prix test, including both entering halt and final halt, but without halt with rein back as the exercise itself is about 40-50 sec., and cutting the three extented trot tour to just one, and the making the walk tour as 15 meters of collected walk and 15 meters of extended, and at the same time keep two times the passage/piaffe/passage tours instead of three times, that makes a reduction of 1 minute and 30 seconds in total."

"And yes of course I´ve tried it and it work very well. With this change we also save the horses, so they can be even stronger for day 2 and day 3. It is easier of course, but it also makes the dressage more attractive for countries which are not so familiar with the top of our sport," says Kittel.

“This is a kind of big change, but without changing the fundamental of our sport.

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— Patrik Kittel

Lots of applause from the audience when Patrik Kittel finished his job as test rider of 5 yr old Danish Warmblood horses at Herning, DEN 2018. Photo credit:: H2R

Dorothee Schneider and Faustus - 74,872% Grand Prix Special victory at Mannheim (video)

10 year old Faustus by Falsterbo / Forrest xx is still very inexperienced at this level, but still showing a lovely test here. 

Welcome to Equitour Aalborg

Press release

During the last couple of weeks, rhinopneumonia (also known as equine herpes virus) outbreaks have been identified in Denmark and abroad. The organisers behind Equitour Aalborg have been following the development carefully and in consultation with professionals it has been decided to carry out the international event in Uggerhalne as planned on 23-27 May. This is on the condition that the situation has been stabilised and no further large breakouts occur in Denmark

– We are taking the situation very seriously. We have been consulting professionals and relevant veterinarians both nationally and internationally. After thorough consideration, we have therefore decided to carry out the event as planned, tells Jens Trabjerg from Equitour Aalborg. The event will take place at the impressive show ground at Helgstrand Academy with the international sales and training centre and stallion station Helgstrand Dressage as its closest neighbour. In the beginning of May, Helgstrand Dressage chose to take its precautions and limit the access to the entire area.

– It is important to understand that at Helgstrand Dressage and Helgstrand Academy we have not seen any signs of the virus. We are not willing to take a risk and that is why we have chosen to take these precautions to protect our horses, says Andreas Helgstrand.

More precautions

The organisers have started implementing more precautions which means that the event will be held under the same conditions and with the known risks related to housing horses from different environments. – We follow the recommendations from national and international veterinarians and this means that all participants need to sign a sworn statement confirming that their horses have not had the fever the last ten days before arrival to the showgrounds. Furthermore, the entire stable as well as the temporary show stable will be washed down with a special disinfection product that will kill any virus that may be present, Jens Trabjerg concludes.

For more information, contact Director of Equitour Aalborg, Jens Trabjerg tel. +45 40 25 49 86 or e-mail: jt@equitour.dk

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What we know about rhinopneumonia Rhinopneumonia is a disease which has existed for many years both in a form called type 1 and a form called type 4. Most horses have the virus in their body and in certain cases virus can be re-activated and make the horse excrete infection or become ill. Therefore, rhinopneumonia cannot be eliminated and from time to time, individual horses will become spontaneously ill from the virus.

Rhinopneumonia 1 causes fever, respiratory disorders, paralysis and sometimes abortion among pregnant mares. The illness usually starts as a respiratory disorder with fever and coughing. After approximately two weeks, paralysis might befall.

Rhinopneumonia 1 primarily transmits as a droplet infection from the respiratory passages both through direct contact between horses and by indirect contact via clothing, shoes, trailer, food and horse tack etc. Infection can occur through other body fluids as well.

Den kommende weekend med Nordiske mesterskaber i Kristiansand, Norge

NM dressur - senior

• Carina Cassøe Krüth
• Karin Nissen
• Rikke Svane
• Mai Tofte Olesen

NM dressur - U25

• Michala Mejlgaard Jensen
• Emma-Amalie Wraa
• Nanna Skodborg Merrald
• Victoria E. Vallentin 

Link til stævnet findes via kalenderen på H2R. I skrivende stund undersøger H2R om det er muligt at følge stævnet via livestreamning. 

Dorothee Schneider ready for Nürnberger Burg-Pokal final with First Romance and Kira Wulferding is ready with Brianna (videos)

Both qualifiers in Mannhein and Redefin today

In Mannheim Dorothee Schneider and the 8 year old First Romance by Fürst Romancier / Day Dream showed an expressive test with very nice trot tour, superb walk and a bit tension for the canter, where a couple of the changes to left were bit tense and also with an error for the 3 times. But still much more qualities than from day 1 winner Michael Klimke with Harmony´s Diabolo. Today the trot tour lack bit more balance, and for the canter tour Diabolo becomes hind the aides for the pirouettes. 3rd was Isabell Werth rider Niklaas Feilzer with the stallion Quotenkönig. Somewhat high tempo for the trot tour and lacking more balance and security for the series. 

Today´s winner ride from Dorothee Schneider here below:

Redefin

Kira Wulferding and the 7 year old mare Brianna by Bvlgari / Rohdiamant won both day 1 (video below) and today´s final qualifier with impressive 76,171%. They delivered a smooth, effortless and strong test without any technical issues. Impressive for a just 7 year old horse. 

Vitalis filly most expensive at yesterday´s HANN auction - sold for 62.000 euros

As predicted this very extra filly by Vitalis / Blue Hors Don Romanci became the most expensive - sold for 62.000 euros to a German breeder. 

Having seen the entire collection there were for sure more attractive foals which were sold for very reasonable prices. 

And also the best riding horse from H2R point of view became the most expensive - sold for 30.000 euros to France. 

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Werth 2nd again today - winner Dorothee Schneider with Faustus

Is Werth loosing ground, or are the competitors getting stronger? 

For the World Cup final, Werth became 2nd in the Grand Prix beaten by Laura Graves with Verdades, last weekend she came 2nd in Grand Prix Special in Hagen beaten by Sönke Rothenberger with Cosmo, and today Dorothee Schneider and her 10-year-old Faustus won the Grand Prix Special at Mannheim. 

A sign of "health" for the dressage sport

Is it a sign of "weakness" from the queen of dressage, or are the field of other strong combinations just getting better? 

H2R think it is a combination of both. Seen from the "sideline" Werth has been in top of everything with her 3 top horses for the last two years, and right now is facing that the strongest competitors "scents blood" if they can do a top error free test when Werth might loose points during her test. 

And it does not look like Werth has something "new" in the pipeline, like a new star for the big tour right now. But you never know - Werth is there for the sport and is for sure always dangerous and valueable for the sport when she enters the centerline. 

Today´s Grand Prix Special at Mannheim - Werth fails and Schneider is clear

Today Don Johnson was not really in the mood for dancing all the way together with Isabell, eventhough they always seems to have a kind of agreement in the ring. But today Don Johnson said no thanks for the first piaffe. He just rejects and goes backwards, but then Werth is telling him what to do and mission is completed. Costly both for the piaffe itself and the transitions, but far from a clear line from the judging panel scoring 4 - 3 - 6 - 1 - 2 for the piaffe. 71.404%.

Dorothee Schneider manage to keep her young and still quite inexperienced Faustus with her and all the way with very nice qualities and without errors. Victory scoring 74,872% with just 7 points between highest and lowest from the judges. 

Next placements

Both Borja Carrascosa with Ein Traum and Emma Hindle with Romy del Sol having some smaller issues during their tests, but both horses showing good qualities, and for Romy del Sol and Emma Hindle they are slowly getting there with the experience. This mare just have a sweet spot by H2R.

See the entire results here. 

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Two special foals of the week (videos)

Everything is just passing so quickly with all the online informations.

Sometimes you just have to stop and have a closer look, or a least get the chance to enjoy ones more. 

The two foal below both made H2R click ones more - what do you think?

73,65% international Grand Prix debut win for Nicolas Wagner (LUX) with Quater Back Junior

Quater Back Junior and Nicolas Wagner - photo credit: Lukaszkowalski.com

New young international Grand Prix combination from Luxemburg ready

Following Nicolas Wagner and Quater Back Junior from young horse classes into small tour, you were just sitting with the feeling that this combination could be very interesting for the big tour. And yesterday they just stepped into the Grand Prix scene with manor. 

The just 9 year old gelding Quater Back Junior by Quaterback/Bonheur and his 26 year old rider Nicolas Wagner entered the international Grand Prix scene yesterday at the World Cup and CDI3 event at Mariakalnok, Hungary with a very nice 73,62% debut win for the big tour. 

The overall picture was with ease and without tensions

Before entering Nicolas was just trotting around the arena not trying to adjust any buttons. Very nice start with an expressive diagonal, light and uphill with nice balance, nice half pass right with lovely crossing, small lack of bend where the balance is slightly lost. Super easy 1st piaffe/passage tour with good transitions, good walk tour with nice relaxation, 2nd piaffe with a small forward trend, good transition to canter, 2 times were correct but could be with a bit more expression, change after extended canter becomes small. Good 1st pirouette while the 2nd pirouette becomes unbalanced. Very nice final with easy centerline and super nice quality of both passage and piaffe including nice flow for transition. 

Huge step into the big tour and for sure a combination to keep an eye on for the future. 

See the results of the entire test here.

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Mannheim Grand Prix victory for Don Johnson and Isabell Werth today

Impressive arena in Mannheim placed in the middle of a sort of football arena for the Maimarkt Turnier. 

Today yet another Grand Prix win for the CV of Werth and Don Johnson. Outside the arena before entering Isabell had some of her routine stuff together with Don Johnson, as if she is just telling him to get rid of his tensions before going in, and it seems to be kind of "mission complete", as Don Johnson is focused all the way without any technical issues. Scoring 76,913%.

Dorothee Schneider takes both 2nd and 3rd place with Faustus and Fohlenhof´s Rock´n Rose. 

Faustus is still not that experienced with his just 10 years, but he is for sure in the best hands of Dorothee. Nice start but unfortunately with a small canter for the first extended trot, nice half passes, maybe not with the last suppleness, good halt with rein back. The passage still needs a bit more clear push all the time, but a lot of nice steps. The piaffe itself is with nice sit and activity and eventhough he is sitting very much he seems to be able to balance well both in and out of the piaffes. Good canter tour unfortunately with an error at the end of the 2 times, the pirouettes still needs a bit more centering. 

Fohlenhof´s Rock´n Rose showing a well balance trot tour, good halt but bit tense rein back, in general you could wish for a bit sharper push for the passage and the piaffe becomes somewhat cautious, but said that Dorothee and Rock´n Rose knows eachother very well, so for sure this is a question of timing. Solid canter tour, with super supple zigzag canter, small tension towards the end of the 2 times, but without any issues, both pirouettes becomes a bit big. 

See the entire results here. 

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FEI information and advice about the ongoing outbreaks of Equine Herpes Virus in western France

Part of informations (full document is available via link below)

Management of suspected and confirmed cases

• Contact a veterinarian immediately if disease is suspected.
• Isolate the suspected horse.
• Stop all movement on and off the premises until your vet advises and for at least 28 days.
• Disinfect and destroy bedding, clean and disinfect premises, equipment and vehicles used for horse transport.
• Maximise biosecurity – See annex: Biosecurity Information

By following this advice you will make a very important contribution to the protection of horse health and equestrian sports.

Read the entire file here. 

BIOSECURITY INFORMATION – FEI Veterinary Department - entire file here. 

5th May with Hannoveraner auction

Vitalis / Don Romantic filly looks like top price from H2R point of view.

A very limited collection for the riding horses for the upcoming HANN auction. 

But from the foals there are clearly some highlights as two of the Vitalis foals looks very promissing.

Riding Horses

Foals

Total list of horses for the auction here. 

First qualifier for Nürnberger Burg-Pokal final was in Hagen last weekend (video of qualifier test)

73,927% from Friederike Hahn with her 8 year old Blue Hors Don Romantic/Fürst Heinrich daughter. Easy preliminary test, and the final qualifier with a small issue for the 2nd walk pirouette and the final 4 times. But still easy and convincing win.

2nd the very experienced Kira Wulferding with Rhapsodie Bohemian, and 3rd the lovely Harmony´s Eclectisch under Susan Pape. Both for sure ready for another qualifier. 

Next qualifier is this weekend at Mannheim. 

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Results 2 days stallion performance test in Münster-Handorf (24-26 April)

Så er det snart tid for championatskvalifikationer igen

Photo credit: H2R

Se bestemmelser for dressur 2018 her (pdf). 

Datoer for kvalifikationsstævner i dressur 2018:

16/6 - 17/6 - D4 - Ringsted Sportsrideklub 

23/6 - 24/6 - D9 - Billund Sportsrideklub 

11/8 - 12/8 - D7 - Bogø Rideklub 

25/8 - 26/8 - D12 - Danish Derby/Vilhelmsborg

1/9 - 2/9 - D2 - Frederiksværk Rideklub 

15/9-16/9 - D14 - Sportsrideklubben Aalborg 

Se det nye program for 4 års dressurheste her.

Se eksempel på gennemridning af 4 års programmet fra Tyskland her.

Se program for 7 års dressurheste (indledende) her.

Se program for 7 års dressurheste (finale) her.

Gangartsbedømmelse 7 års dressurheste her.

Finalen for både dressur og springning afvikles på Blue Hors i uge 41.

Most expensive foal at Excellent Dressage Sales auction by Revolution

Press photo EDS

The filly by Revolution / Fürst Romancier / Johnson became most expensive sold for 28.000 euros. 

Total list of prices - 1st part 

Total list of prices - 2nd part

PRESS RELEASE: International buyers know how to find the way to Hooge Mierde

HOOGE MIERDE – The fifth edition of Excellent Dressage Sales (EDS) resulted in a small 2 million euros on Saturday night. Observed by five hundred guests, no less than 41 horses and 9 foals were auctioned at Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde. The most expensive horse that came under the hammer of auctioneer Koen Olaerts was Kaprãlis, a 9-year-old stallion from Coleo x Gudvils. He was sold for 400,000 euros. In recent year Excellent Dressage Sales has built up a good name abroad and this year again attracted an international audience to Hooge Mierde. With buyers from countries such as America, England, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark, the organisation looks back on a very successful evening.

Foal first time
For the first time at the April edition in Hooge Mierde the Excellent Dressage Sales auctioned a collection of foals. That this was appreciated by the buyers and showed in the prices. The foals jointly generated a profit of 102,500 euros. Noblewood Tarpania, one of the nine foals that was auctioned that night, was sold abroad. A telephone bidder from America paid 28,000 for the foal of Revolution x Fürst Romancier. Once again a Glock’s Toto jr. offspring went down well. Nielson (mv Flemmingh) changed from owner for 11,000 euro’s.

High amounts
A lot of money was paid for Jirina (by Apache), for 90,000 euros the mare leaves for America. Also for the black stallion Hoogadel (by Hofrat), the new owners had to reach deep into the pockets. An amount of  85,000 euros was paid for this talent.

EDS award for Siem Korver
Siem Korver received the annual EDS award from the organisers, Joop van Uytert, Tim Coomans, Eugène Reesink, Nico Witte and Joep Schellekens. Korver was praised by the great successes he achieved during his KWPN presidency and unbridled dedication to horse breeding.

Johan Cruyff Foundation
At the start of the auction, a Longines ladies watch what was made available by Gassan Diamonds was sold, with a benefit of 1,100 euros for the Johan Cruyff Foundation. Football international Luís Figo also provided a signed football shirt. This went for 1,600 euros to the lucky buyer. The next auction is on the 4th of August at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo.

VIDEO - Sönke can beat Isabell, and he did it today

Sönke Rothenberger and Cosmo - Hagen 2017. Photo credit: Koen Gomes

Grand Prix Special in Hagen

Yesterday was with a lot of power for Cosmo, and also bit too much excitement being back in the arena. Today the agenda was clearly changed from the the beginning - much more conservative but still a lot of quality.

Cosmo GER - super halt, super diagonal, nice half pass, small lack of impuls 1st transition to passage, nice passage/extended trot, small tension into 2nd half pass, good walk, good 1st piaffe, 2nd slightly forward, lovely rhythm, nice transition to canter direct from passage, nice zigzag, superb series, top class line with pirouettes and 1 times, super final.

Later this year for WEG this pair will for sure be a real serious contender for the absolute top of the podium.

Watch the 82,225% winner test below.

2nd - Emilio GER - small turn for entering the centerline, super halt, power diagonal, smooth half pass, sharp passage at C, smooth in and out of extended trot, half pass right slightly better, bit tense walk, easy piaffe and transitions, super transition to canter, small lack of balance end of half pass, good series, good control for pirouettes, error serie, super final. 

3rd - Zaire GER - expressive start, nice half pass, good transition to passage, bit running extensions, ditto 2nd half pass, very regular and expressive passage, active piaffe with super angle, bit tense 1 times, good control pirouettes, error 1 times, super nice and active final. 

4th - Dante Weltino OLD SWE - small stumble out of halt, power diagonal, nice half pass, smooth passage/extended trot, slight quicker with right hind for passage, good walk, nice piaffes, 2nd transition out best, nice zigzag, easy supple series from hind, WAUW pirouettes, super long side extended trot, lack final meters.

5th - Well Done de la Roche SWE - tense halt, bit hurried diagonal, lovely half pass, small canter for extended trot, super passage, easy light half pass, bit tense walk, super piaffe and transitions, fire 🔥 on the ground for 2nd piaffe, nice zigzag, nice series, super nice centerline with supple pirouettes, late transition to trot, hot but top controlled and quality final.

Danish combinations

Anna Zibrandtsen and Arlando were showing a sharp test today, but unfortunately only judge at B, Mr. Plewa saw the test at 73,617%. Final scoring 71,851%.

8th - Arlando DEN - good halt, small lack of flow extended trot, nice flow half pass, lovely passage/extended trot with sharp transitions, super nice balance/flow, bit short extended walk, good collected walk, bit unbalanced into piaffe, 2nd piaffe superb including transitions, small unbalance hind after transition to canter, nice half passes, nice 2 times, super 1 times, tiny high quality pirouettes, nice 1 times, super final with very nice halt. 

9th - Selten HW DEN - good halt forward, good power balance diagonal, super flow carriage half pass left, good passage with nice extended trot, ditto 2nd half pass right, super extended walk, lack bit energy for piaffe, becomes bit high in the neck loosing bit balance 2nd piaffe, nice zigzag canter, super 2 times, a single change for 1 times with parallel hind, very centered pirouettes need to be a bit quicker, tension hind 1 times at centerline, best piaffe at final.

11th - Blue Hors Zepter DEN - good start, good crossing half pass, could be a bit sharper at the letters for passage, passage could show more clear suspension at begin, becomes better, 2nd half pass ditto, good walk, super nice piaffe tours lovely sit and nice transitions, good zigzag, small error begin 2 times, good 1 times, good extended canter, lost canter bit for 1st pirouette, 2nd better, good final, super halt.

See the entire results here. 

VIDEO - Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Blue Hors Veneziano cemented their strength

Louisdor Preis final ready for Daniel and Veneziano

Friday´s victory from the Danish combination was cemented today. Blue Hors Veneziano is just 8 year old, he is by Vivaldi/Donnerhall/Pik Bube, his dam Fabine is full sister to legendary Blue Hors Don Schufro.

They showed a strong test without any technical issues, just a small tension into the first piaffe. Subsequent international judge did his live comments about the combinations and he was having a chat together with Kim Kreling with the rider. 

About Daniel and Veneziano´s test Plewa said:

This is an experienced rider, he has entered the international scene this winter with more top performances. It is a rider that understands his profession - lovely riding, compliment. 

"The signature of this test is that the horse is presented in a wonderful frame all the way including for the extensions, and the rider is able to use the positive power from the horse, as after the tempo changes where the rider gave the horse a well deserved path on the neck for a well performed exercise, and the horse is really with his rider. The first two piaffe tours were a bit cautious and with a small disturb for the first one, but with the final piaffe he has shown his real qualities, where he is lovely off the ground and has shown great dynamic likely for the extensions." 

And Daniel says: "The most important for me was the horse had a good feeling in the arena, so that I did´t ask to much, not a big issue for me if he made an error, but the fact that he got better during the test, that´s always a good sign, and as Plewa said the last piaffe was also the best, and that´s super. This is a horse that I´ve been educated all the way myself together with my trainer, so of course I´m proud and happy."

See the entire results here. 

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Despi, Deep and Dude showed top form for today´s Grand Prix freestyle in Hagen

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

Rocking arena in Hagen today

For sure somebody would say "rocking" when looking at the price giving, as this was in very special "Jordan Camel Style" (video below). 

Strong and very close top of today´s Grand Prix Freestyle, with a top motivated and well performed test from Desperados (Despi), where canter pirouettes and extended canter stands out with something extra. All the way a usual beautiful frame. 

Deep Impact (Deep) and Severo Jurado Lopez showed a strong and very well balanced test, and for this years edition of the freestyle Deep Impact was very relaxed and focused, maybe not 100% relaxed, but for sure Severo was happy that the walk tour was in walk and not trot as last year. 

Kittel is the master of freestyle, eventhough Delaunay (Dude) showed a bit of tension from the beginning, KIttel managed to provide confidence for Dude, and being able to show their highlights through piaffe/passage tours and series.

Danish Daniel Bachmann Andersen showed the young stallion Blue Hors Don Olymbrio. Today with some minor issues and small miscommunications, and from the side line it looked a bit like lack of power and fuel for today´s freestyle, but very well managed and placed as no 8. 

See the entire results here.