Sixth part of Grand Prix - with strong American performance from Salvino with Adrienne Lyle

Glock´s Dream Boy with Hans Peter Minderhoud before the rain - photo credit: Lily Forado

Super motivated Glock´s Dream Boy N.O.P. for today’s test

Nice positive expression all the way today even though the rain started pouring down, like when Edward and Zonik won the national Dutch Championship earlier this year.

Nice power start, with good expression and power for the extended trot, small resistance for the rein back, good piaffe tours where you could wish for a bit more clear trot rhythm but showing nice willingness, error by mid of two times, very nice one times, good zig-zag and well balanced pirouettes. Nice final centerline. 73,509%

And then in the pouring rain - photo credit: Lily Forado

American Adrienne Lyle with Salvino rode her chance and got optimum outcome. Very active test with power, with some moments where the picture becomes slightly over active. No technical issues and for sure much expression all the way. 74,860% bringing her into 4th place individual.

The team competition

A new day comes up tomorrow with the strongest combinations from every team. From today Germany looks like the obvious Team gold winners, but much more difficult to spot the silver and bronze position.

H2R “must see” combinations tomorrow

• 9:54 (15:54) Mane Stream Belstaff / Betina Jæger Jensen 

• 11:10 (17:10) Hawtins Delicato / Carl Hester

• 11:50 (17:50) Cosmo / Sönke Rothenberger

• 11:59 (17:59) Dante Weltino OLD / Therese Nilshagen

• 12:17 (18:17) Apache / Emmelie Scholtens

• 12:26 (18:26) Gørklintgårds Dublet / Kasey Perry-Glass

• 14:36 (20:36) Blue Hors Zack / Daniel Bachmann Andersen

• 15:51 (21:51) Mount St. John Freestyle / Charlotte Dujardin

• 16:39 (22:39) Bella Rose / Isabell Werth

• 16:48 (22:48) Well Done de la Roche / Patrik Kittel

• 16:57 (22:57) Deep Impact / Severo Jurado Lopez

• 17:06 (23:06) Glock´s Zonik / Edward Gal

• 17:15 (23:15) Verdades / Laura Graves

---

Fifth part of Grand Prix - Swedens Juliette Ramel and her power horse Buriel K.H. now up as no 2

Sweden’s Buriel K.H. with Juliette Ramel - photo credit: Lily Forado

Sweden will for sure fight for the team podium

Juliette Ramel and her top power horse Buriel K.H. showed top qualities for the piaffe and passage tours including the transitions. Bit running for the extended trot tours, lack bit bend for half passes, tensions for the walk and runs a bit into the riders hands for the canter tour. Not exact at 75,248% test.

Germany´s Sammy Davis Jr with Dorothee Schneider - photo credit: Lily Forado

The German ladies just knows all about timing

Ones again today Germany´s team rider showed how to performe. Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis Jr scored very well with 75,062%. Good halt, nice extensions, half passes could show more suppleness, dragging frontlegs for the rein back, small unbalance for the first piaffe, expressive passage but not really pushing from behind, bit short walk, good series and super timing for zig-zag canter, good pirouettes and super final.

Spain’s Beatrice Ferrer-Salat with her long time partner Delgado showed a polished test, but now the 18-year-old horse is lacking more suppleness for the overall picture. But the performance was enough to bring Spain in front of Denmark for the team competition. Score 72,919%.

Seems that the scoring now is coming higher. A bit worried for tomorrows scoreboard.

---

Fourth part of Grand Prix - best score from Judith Reynolds with Vancouver K

Danish Anders Dahl with Selten HW - photo credit: Lily Forado

Irish Judith Reynolds and Vancouver K showed a sharp test even though the picture of the correct balance and relaxation for the piaffe tours are still missing, and also shown with a very short neck for more moments during the test today. 71,957%

Danish Anders Dahl and his Olympic partner Selten HW show a good test. Nice entering halt, power extension for the diagonal, nice side picture, good flow and go for the half passes, bit of resistance for the halt with rein back, lack a bit more clear rhythm for the first piaffe, good walk with nice relaxation, loosing balance and forward search for the second piaffe with some resistance, nice two times, good extended canter, count error for the zig-zag, first change for the one times becomes with parallel hind, rest is far over the level he normally shows, very nice pirouettes in good balance, nice final centerline. Judges clearly disagreed about the performance from 65,9% to 71,6%.

---

Third part of Grand Prix - Suppenkasper with Steffen Peters into 3rd spot

Suppenkasper and Steffen Peters USA - photo credit: Lily Forado

Best combination in this 3rd part was American Steffen Peters with Suppenkasper, starting with a very tense halt and a trend of the scoring of 48,5% but of course bring themselves back with a final score of 73,494%. Very powerful first extended trot super natural uphill frame, well balanced half passes with power, uphill with super crossing, tension for halt and rein back, much sit for the piaffe tours but lack balance and the rhythm becomes to quick, tensions for the zig-zag, nice one times, very nice balanced pirouettes with super sit, very few final piaffe steps at the centerline.

Dutch Madeleine Witte-Vrees with Cennin is struggling with a very hard contact, and at the same time Cennin does not look as motivated as we’ve seen him earlier. The combination of the strong contact and lack of motivation does not show an easy picture.

It is a kind of dream scenario if this first part of the team competition could be the final result.

For Denmark that would be a team ticket for the next Olympics in Tokyo going into the 6th place with the team.

A lot can happen but right now the fight seems to be between Denmark and Spain for the Olympic team ticket.

---

Second part of Grand Prix - TSF Dalera BB with Jessica von Bredow-Werdl taking the lead

TSF Dalera BB and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER - photo credit: Lily Forado

Some of the strongest teams with their first combinations

First to go for Great Britain was Spencer Wilton with Super Nova II. Nice start with good extended trot where you just want a bit more power to reach the top expression, good half passes with nice flow and clear supple bend, good halt bit tense final step for rein back, clear into an expressive bouncy off the ground passage with super nice push off the ground, small lack of impulsion for the first piaffe, good walk, 2nd piaffe becomes a bit in two temples with a small lack of clear beat, super expressive series, small tension at the end of the zig-zag, lack bit more sit for pirouettes as the activity is clearly shown, 2nd pirouette lost bit control, lack clear passage for the final meters. 74,581%

Germany´s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with TSF Dalera BB leaving an overall picture of easyness and harmony. Starting out with an expressive extension, nice swing and balance for the half passes, good halt with nice rein back, sharp from nice extended trot into passage, small lack of impulsion for the first piaffe, superb relaxation for the walk tour with nice over track, second piaffe active, both series with some tensions in the body but very well managed from the rider, super balance and sit for both pirouettes, nice transition to trot with good power for final extended trot, super timing and nice final centerline. New leader with 76,667%

Swedens Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén and her long time partner Don Auriello showed a good test, but for more times they are struggling a bit for the lack of push from behind, to keep the great expression and quality of the exercises. The routine and their partnership keep this demanding test very well together. 73,106%.

---

First part of Grand Prix - WEG has started just not with live streaming via FEI-tv

Danish combination in the lead into the first break - Finckenstein TSF and Rikke Svane. Photo credit: Lily Forado

Presumably most of the dressage enthusiasts purchased special WEG access via FEI-tv felt very lost when no signal was coming through from the dressage arena, as both endurance and rening seemed to be running without any issues.

The fact is that if you were desperate to watch there were luckily “other” options.

Danish Rikke Svane and her long time partner the black Trakehner stallion Finckenstein TSF were brought into the Danish WEG team as first reserve for Atterupgaards Cassidy and Cathrine Dufour, Anna Zibrandtsen with Arlando also had to withdraw before the departure due to an infection. And Rikke and Fincken just showed their strongest performance for a very long time.

No technical issues, super nice halts, good trot tour, small tensions and bit lack of energy for the piaffes but well managed, strong canter tour with nice forward series, good zig-zag and well balanced pirouettes. Their sharpest and strongest test for a very long time. Well done Rikke 🇩🇰

---

Small gallery from training yesterday at WEG in Tryon

While we are waiting for this years big event to start you can just enjoy some of the moments from yesterday’s training captured by Lily Forado.

The full start list for both Wednesday and Thursday - LINK.

Remember you can buy full access for live streaming via FEI-tv for just 17.99 euros.

Wednesday:

9:45 (15:45) Finckenstein TSF / Rikke Svane

10:43 (16:43) Super Nova II / Spencer Wilton

10:52 (16:52) TSF Dalera BB / Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

11:10 (17:10) Don Auriello / Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén

11:59 (17:59) Suppenkasper / Steffen Peters

14:27 (20:27) Selten HW / Anders Dahl

15:24 (21:24) Dono di Maggio / Emile Faurie

15:33 (21:33) Sammy Davis Jr / Dorothee Schneider

15:42 (21:42) Buriel K.H. / Juliette Ramel

16:30 (22:30) Glock´s Dream Boy / Hans Peter Minderhoud

Thursday:

9:54 (15:54) Mane Stream Belstaff / Betina Jæger Jensen 

11:10 (17:10) Hawtins Delicato / Carl Hester

11:50 (17:50) Cosmo / Sönke Rothenberger

11:59 (17:59) Dante Weltino OLD / Therese Nilshagen

12:17 (18:17) Apache / Emmelie Scholtens

12:26 (18:26) Gørklintgårds Dublet / Kasey Perry-Glass

14:36 (20:36) Blue Hors Zack / Daniel Bachmann Andersen

15:51 (21:51) Mount St. John Freestyle / Charlotte Dujardin

16:39 (22:39) Bella Rose / Isabell Werth

16:48 (22:48) Well Done de la Roche / Patrik Kittel

16:57 (22:57) Deep Impact / Severo Jurado Lopez

17:06 (23:06) Glock´s Zonik / Edward Gal

17:15 (23:15) Verdades / Laura Graves

---

Blue Hors Zackerey foal sold for 37.000 euros at HANN foal auction in Luhmühlen

Most expensive colt by Blue Hors Zackerey / Tomahawk / De Niro sold for 37.000 euros.

Most expensive filly by Fürst Belissiaro / Quasar de Charry / Argentan sold for 15.000 euros.

Unfortunately there is no full list online of the auction prices available.

VIDEO - Nanna Merrald er i fuld gang med sit nye job hos Blue Hors

Spændende unge hingste under Nanna Merrald

Super spændende at følge udviklingen af både Nanna og de talentfulde heste og hingstene Blue Hors Sct. Schufro og Blue Hors Farrell, som jo tidligere er uddannet af Allan Grøn. 

---

Vitalis weekend - today with most expensive filly at PS-online auction sold for 17.500 euros

See the entire results here. 

(Total list) - Most expensive foal at Maren-Kessel foal auction yesterday by Just Wimphof x Uphill sold for 24.000 euros

Info from the auction: 

Two good dressage-lines were brought together in the pedigree of New Hero. Dam Dicolet earned the ster-predicate with 80/80 and performed at Z2-level. She is a half-sister of the Lichte Tour-horse Sir Jazz (s.Jazz). Granddam Nicolet is found back in the second generation of the Lichte Tour-horses Amber (s.Uphill) and Bandiet (s.Uphill). The line leads back to Farah, known as dam of the international Grand Prix-paarden Premier (s.Jazz) of Aat van Essen and Oleander (s.Jazz) of Adam Lastowka. Other Grand Prix-horses from this family are  Aleandro (s.Sandreo) and Black Painted Zeldenrust (s.Painted Black). Sire Just Wimphof is approved with a great score of 86 pnts. and has a remarkable first offspring.

3 x top prices for Vitalis foals at yesterday's Future Champions auction

Dyreste hingsteføl på aftenens følauktion Syd solgt for kr. 54.000 til Priess Stutteri

Super udtryksfuldt og ædelt hingsteføl med dejlig smidig bevægelse efter den nykårede verdensmester Revolution med Sieger Hit/Lauries Crusador xx på morsiden, avlet af Minna Petersenog Thorkild Karger, blev solgt til Priess Stutteri for dagens højeste hammerslag på kr. 54.000. 

Nr. 41 efter Quaterback/Hotline/Cavan viste sig super flot og med rigtig dejlig bevægelsesforløb. Solgt for kr. 40.000. 

Vitalis foals will for sure dominate tonights auction at Gut Ising

Both no 7 by Vitalis / Sandro Hit and no 9 by Vitalis / San Remo shows top qualities.

The auction start at 8 p.m.

Watch the presentation from yesterday evening here. 

Top price 11.500 euros for Secret / Chippendale filly at foal auction Dronten NED

2nd most expensive was catalog no 19 a filly by Franklin / Jazz sold for 11.000 euros. 

See the entire results here. 

Maren-Kessel foal auction Saturday 8 September

Both the presentation and the auction will be available via live stream on Clipmyhorse. Presentation at 16:00 and auction at 19:00.

The videos are unfortunately often very difficult to see as the light is very dark, but from H2R point of view 3 of the foals looks like something extra. 

See the entire collection here. 

French Young Horse championships has started today at Saumur

Top presentation of a top horse

5 year old Dorian Grey de Hus by Don Juan de Hus / Sandro Hit with Jessica Michel Botton showed a super smooth and expressive test today in the preliminary round at Saumur with the top score of 90,6%. All the way well balanced in a nice frame with a light and steady contact.

The combination was recently placed 5th in the final at World Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo. 

Tomorrow the CDI-tours starts with Prix Sct. Georg and later Grand Prix. 

Links are available via H2R calendar. 

Foal auction in Dronten NED 7 September

The foal auction in Dronten comes up Friday 7 September live at Clipmyhorse. 

The presentation is live at 15.30 and the auction is at 19.00.

Most interesting foal from the collection is by Desperados FRH / Vivaldi, and looks very much like a Desperados copy. 

See the entire collection here. 

Foal auction Luhmühlen 8 September

Catalog no 1 by D´Egalite / Diamond Hit / Rubinstein

H2R favorites are: 

See the entire collection here

Athletes from 54 nations will battle for first-week medals

Part of FEI press release

Dressage also begins on 12 September and the big question here will be whether Germany’s Isabell Werth can add to the seven gold medals she has previously taken. There are three separate competitions: the Team event, the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle. Werth won her first gold in the Special in 1994 on the road to becoming the most medalled athlete in the history of equestrian sport today. A total of 61 riders from 23 countries participated that year, and this time there will be 78 representing 31 nations. 

The fairytale success of Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and her brilliant gelding Valegro who, at the height of their career together, collected both the Special and Freestyle titles in Normandy (FRA) four years ago, has been largely responsible for a massive surge in the popularity of modern Dressage. The British rider will defend her titles, but this time around with the relatively untried Mount St John Freestyle while Werth has decided to swap her world number one ride, Weihegold, for her personal favourite Bella Rose whose march to the podium in Caen was abruptly halted by injury.

Germany claimed team gold for the 11th time in 2014, and holds the record for most medals, 22 in total, at the WEG. However the hosts from the USA are tipped to turn the tide, led by the world number three combination of Laura Graves and Verdades who have been showing fantastic recent form.

Definite Dressage entries here.