Fourth part of day 2 Grand Prix - Danish Daniel and Zack with top test

Smiling Daniel Bachmann Andersen with Blue Hors Zack - photo credit: Lily Forado

Highlight of this 4th part of the Grand Prix was for sure Danish top combination Daniel Bachmann Andersen with the breeding stallion Blue Hors Zack. They have showed great consistancy and at the same time gaining more and more quality for the exercises. And today they proved ones again here at Championship level with a great and well deserved score of 76,211% and right now placed individual as no 5 and will be ready among the 30 best combinations for Friday´s individuel Grand Prix Special.

Strong start, lovely powerful expression for the extension, good flow and forward search for the half passes, good rein back with nice relaxation over the back, coming nice back into the passage nice transition to a good regular piaffe with good transition out again and with nice expression for the passage itself, super transition to walk, very nice relaxation for the walk tour, straight up into passage at M, becomes slightly hind the aides for the 2nd piaffe but Daniel manage very well, nice passage, super series with lots of ground cover and use of the entire line, good extended canter, super nice active zig-zag, active pirouettes with good sit, a small issue changing hind before turning at C, super nice final lack bit more clear passage and forward search for the final meters.

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Third part of day 2 Grand Prix - with an outstanding Cosmo and Sönke

Sönke Rothenberger with Cosmo - photo credit: Lily Forado

This part with absolute top combinations - Cosmo, Dante Weltino and Dublet

Cosmo and Sönke Rothenberger was on fire for today’s Grand Prix and well deserved with personal best and breaking the magical +80% with impressive 81,491%.

Fully focused all the way, starting with a slightly open halt and super up and forward, very expressive extended trot without taking risk, good half passes could be a bit more bend in the body though, super halt for rein back but going bit sideways in the rein back and stepping on the fence, tiny unbalance into the first piaffe, nice piaffe, top expression for the passage with lift and of the ground with super angles both front and hind, good extended walk could stretch a bit more, nice collected walk, 2nd piaffe tour in good balance and slightly forward trend, 2-3 trot steps before catching the canter transition, superb canter tour, well balanced zig-zag, super series with power and expression well performed pirouettes and super final centerline. They look like a serious contender for very noble metal not just for this team competition.

Therese Nilshagen with Dante Weltino OLD - photo credit: Lily Forado

Swedens Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino OLD are just getting stronger and stronger together.

Nice entering halt, power extended trot with lengthning of the frame and at the same time very balanced bringing him back to collected trot, active half passes, superb halt but a bit quick rein back, easy piaffe and passage with good transitions, good extended walk but lack a bit more relaxation in the shoulders, good 2nd piaffe/passage tour, bit swinging two times, super uphill extended canter, nice zig-zag, 1 times in a good frame, bit big first pirouette while the second becomes more centered, power extended trot, loosing the final meters of passage while Dante wants to make the final halt. 76,040%

Kasey Perry-Glass with Gørklintgårds Dublet - photo credit: Lily Forado

Kasey showed a strong and correct test with a few minor issues. The tongue became visual at the left side a couple of times, the zig-zag lacking more balance and clear bending and there crept in errors for the one time serie. Still very well scored with 76,739% taking over the 3rd place, and just in front of TSF Dalera BB with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.

Both Spains Claudio Castilla Ruiz with Alcaide and Dutch Emmelie Scholtens with Apache showed strong tests. Castilla without any technical issues, while Scholtens had a small canter in the extended trot at the short diagonal and an error for the one times.

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Second part of day 2 Grand Prix - Carl Hester with Hawtins Delicato takes over the lead

Hawtins Delicato and Carl Hester - photo credit: Lily Forado

Carl Hester and his young Hawtins Delicato going in to these Championships with super form and showing an effortless and very correct test bringing them into the lead of the individual scoreboard with 77,283%.

Good halt and straight forward, nice extended trot in good balance, nice half passes in good rhythm and balance, super halt with nice rein back, good transition to passage, small tension into the first piaffe but catching well up with good rhythm, relaxed extended walk and good collected walk tour, smooth in and out of the 2nd piaffe with good and clear rhythm - easy picture, good series, bit big 1st pirouette while 2nd pirouette becomes more centered, good transition to trot and nice extended trot, very well performed final centerline.

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First part of day 2 Grand Prix - Danish Betina Jæger Jensen with Mane Stream Belstaff best in this group

Danish Betina Jæger Jensen with Mane Stream Belstaff - photo credit: Lily Forado

The 2nd day of the team competition started out with a clearly not fit Portuguese horse, but unfortunately the judge at C German Katrina Wuest did not ring the bell.

Danish Betina Jæger Jensen with Mane Stream Belstaff was the highlight of todays first part.

The big expressive huge mover showed his highlights for the ground covering bouncy and regular passage, super walk tour, big one times and powerful pirouettes. Unfortunately with some extra one times changes for the two times series, and there were a lost of balance for the first extended trot at the diagonal. The piaffe still lacking a bit more security. A very accurate (sharp on the letters) and well performed test with good power and expression. 70,140%

FEI PRESS RELEASE - Still all to play for when the action resumes tomorrow

Germany took the lead after the first day of Team Dressage at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 today, but the defending champions have only a narrow lead over Sweden in silver and the USA in bronze medal position when the battle resumes in the morning. This halfway result is based on the best individual score for each team in today's Grand Prix, so there is plenty of room for dramatic change before the podium places are decided.

German domination was underpinned by the best performance of the day from Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (32) and the 11-year-old mare TSF Dalera BB whose mark of 76.77 gives her side a 1.4 point advantage over the Swedes. 

A personal-best score of 75.248 from Juliette Ramel (31) and Buriel K saw them slot into second and dramatically boost Swedish chances. A total of 38 horse-and-rider combinations took their turn today, and another 39 will strut their stuff before the 2018 champions are crowned tomorrow evening.

The mighty Germans are chasing down their 12th world championship team title, and Von Bredow-Werndl has put them on track to achieve just that on her own world championship debut.

“I watched the first two horses from up in the stand with my brother Benni and I suddenly got the shivers and felt motivated because I realised how many other people would like to be in my shoes! So I went in there feeling full of power and Delera was just brilliant!"

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER)

Ramel and Buriel KH were in the Swedish team that finished fifth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where they were hugely impressive. An accident while competing in Aachen (GER) last summer however put the horse out of action for quite some time. But the rider, who initially trained with The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud and who is now coached by Swedish star Patrick Kittel, has made an impressive comeback with the 12-year-old gelding this season when producing consistently good results, particularly in the Grand Prix Special. The top 30 combinations in the team event will qualify for individual medals in Friday’s Special, so Ramel will be one to look out for over the coming days.

The host nation snatched third place at this halfway stage of the team event when Adrienne Lyle finished individually fourth with Salvino this afternoon. 

“I’m specially pleased with him since we warmed up in a complete downpour and then it was blazing hot the next second - fitness is a big factor here. He’s a big dark horse and I did my best to get him as fit as I could, and I’m glad I did because it took every ounce of the fitness he had out there in that heat!” Lyle said.

It’s far from over however, with the British threatening strongly in fourth place just 0.3 behind the Americans and looking set to rocket up the leaderboard when Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato and Charlotte Dujardin riding Mount St John Freestyle take to the arena floor. 

The Netherlands holds fifth place, Spain is in sixth and Denmark lies seventh of the 15 competing nations. 

Full results here 

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Top price at Prinsjesdag foal auction 85.000 euros for a filly by Glock´s Toto Jr/Negro

Most expensive filly sold for 85.000 euros.

2nd most expensive sold for 56.000 euros:

3rd most expensive sold for 32.000 euros:

See the entire list of prices here.

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

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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.

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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%.

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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.

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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%.

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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 🇩🇰

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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

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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. 

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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.