1st part Grand Prix 2nd day - Daniel and Zack delivered for the Danish team

Blue Hors Zack and Daniel Bachmann Andersen for Denmark - photo credit: Lily Forado

Denmark and the Danish team needed a strong and solid test for keeping the team into the medal positions, and Daniel and Zack delivered.

Today with extraordinary 2 times, super nice extensions and smooth half passes, good passage, halts were lacking more balance and were not square, and the for piaffe tours you could wish for more obedience from Zack today, he was not really trying his best today. That fact also kept them away from breaking the 80% barrier, but still lot of over all qualities and a very valuable score for the Danish team. Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy are last for the Danes to go.

🇩🇰 Blue Hors Zack / Daniel Bachmann Andersen - open halt, good forward, super nice extended trot with good expression, supple half pass right, good transition, supple left uphill, good halt with nice rein back, good extension, nice back into passage, small hesitation for 1st piaffe travelling bit forward, good expression for passage, good transitions, good walk tour, direct into passage, very much forward 2nd piaffe, good transition to canter, WOW 2 times must be a 10!, super extended canter, active zigzag with super quality, top nice 1 times, super sit for pirouettes bit big, good transition to trot, smooth extended trot, super passage, very nice final centerline - SUPER test!

Spains Claudio Castilla Ruiz and Alcaide delivered a good test with some minor issues. Today the piaffe felt a bit weaker as we’ve seen it earlier, as the rhythm became some kind of to slow today.

Portugals new star Equador with young Joao Miguel Torrao showed again some nice riding, today with some technical issues which kept them away from the better half of the field.

3rd part Grand Prix - Gareth Hughes with Classic Briolinca brings the British team into a clear medal position

Nothing is of course decided before after 15.00 tomorrow, but the picture shows as predicted Germany on gold course, with Great Britain, Sweden, The Netherland and Denmark battling for the silver and bronze position at the podium. Its now all about the strongest team members tomorrow.

Classic Briolinca with Gareth Hughes for GBR - photo credit: Lily Forado

The most polished test today was performed by Gareth Hughes with Classic Briolinca

Might not be with as many top highlights as Showtime and Delera, but the overall impression and the balance was just outstanding for the British combination today.

Classic Briolinca GBR - good halt, lovely light diagonal, nice half passes good self carriage, nice halt with rein back, good extension, nice into passage, 1st piaffe need more clear activity, good extended walk could show more over track, super nice passage, bit tension for 2nd piaffe, very regular passage, good 2 times lack bit more volume, super well balanced zigzag, good 1 times lack bit more off the ground canter jumps, well managed and superb 2nd pirouette, enjoyable passage, huge sit for the piaffe, superb final centerline - THEY ARE IN THE MEDALS......

Showtime FRH and Dorothee Schneider GER - photo credit: Lily Forado

Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH did not have their piaffe day today, but still producing many highlights, said that the scoreboard became clearly a bit overheated.

Showtime FRH GER - good halt, power uphill diagonal, well balanced supple half passes, good halt with nice rein back, super diagonal direct to passage, nice passage small lack of impulse for 1st piaffe with small stop, super nice extended walk, good collected walk, lack bit activity for 2nd piaffe, becomes a bit hind aides for 2 times, good extended canter, good zigzag, ok 1 times bit shorter to right, lack more correct bend for 1st pirouette, 2nd better but still not bended in the riding direction, some resistance / disturb for final piaffe.

Dante Weltino OLD

Glock´s Dream Boy N.O.P.

Riding for their teams

Both Swedens Therese Nilshagen and The Netherlands Hans Peter Minderhoud were really performing for their teams today. It was obvious that they knew their mission and also got top outcome both combinations. Nilshagen and her powerful stallion Dante Weltino still struggling with the clear balanced transitions out of the piaffe tours, as she today managed to put even more power into the piaffes.

Dante Weltino OLD SWE - nice halt, power diagonal with top expression, active crossing uphill half passes, good halt bit dragging rein back, super extension, good passage, bit hard work to keep the activity for the first piaffe, lack bit more clear transition out of piaffe, bit hurried extended walk, active bit travelling forward 2nd piaffe, good 2 times, lovely extended canter, small unbalance turning into the centerline for zigzag, good zigzag, error 1 times, big 1st pirouette, super 2nd pirouette with lovely sit, power diagonal, lovely sit for final piaffe but struggling the clear transition out of the piaffe.

Glock´s Dream Boy with his experienced rider produced a maximum test today. For some moments you could wish for a little less power from Minderhoud, as Dream Boy for more moments becomes a bit unbalanced and nodding, but exercise wise he just produces what he is asked to do.

Glock´s Dream Boy N.O.P. NED - super halt, power diagonal, bit unbalanced picture for the half passes, superb halt with a bit tense rein back, good diagonal, power passage, off the ground piaffe and smooth transitions, good extended walk, good collected walk, bouncy passage, active piaffe with nice transitions, good into canter, good 2 times, power full risk extended canter, very strong zigzag (error end?!), good one time could be bit bigger the changes hind, good pirouettes, super nice final centerline. Minderhoud gave it all for the team today!

See the results here.

2nd part Grand Prix - British Charlotte Fry with super Championship debut together with Dark Legend

British Charlotte Fry with Dark Legend - photo credit: Lily Forado

New young British team member Charlotte Fry delivered a very strong performance in the 2nd part of today’s Grand Prix team competition.

Charlotte looks very concentrated and not that impressed by entering the arena in Rotterdam. Her partner Dark Legend looked a bit tense coming into the arena leaded by the groom, but from there Charlotte showed a confident and strong test giving her horse some supportive pats, and Fry took wisely her time before entering the centerline.

Dark Legend GBR - small unbalance for halt, nice diagonal, nice go an crossing for half passes, bit tense rein back, super nice diagonal, good into passage, good piaffes and nice transition, good walk tour, good control for 2 times, nice zigzag with nice balance, 1 times could cover bit more ground, good preparation of both pirouettes with good quality, good diagonal with extended trot, super nice final centerline. Super championship debut - well done.

🇩🇰 Jojo AZ DEN - bit open halt, good diagonal, lack bit more bend and balance for half pass left, open halt for rein back good rein back, good diagonal with good transition to passage, could show a bit more activity for the piaffe itself, but good flow in and out, good extended walk, better 2nd piaffe with better clear activity, good passage, good transition to canter, error end 2 times, lacking a bit more uphill trend for zigzag, good 1 times, tiny pirouettes lack bit more activity, super nice final centerline.

1st part Grand Prix - Anders Dahl and Fidelio van het Bloemenhof nailed it for the Danish team today

Anders Dahl with Fidelio van het Bloemenhof - photo credit: Lily Forado

Team competition day 1

The Grand Prix started with lovely sun from the morning turning into quite heavy rain when the first Portuguese combination entered and then at the end again with nice late summer sun.

The first Danish combination was Anders Dahl, based in England with his just 10 year old Fidelio van het Bloemenhof. A not very experienced horse but with a very experienced championship rider Anders Dahl. They really seems to have picked up all their best qualities for today’s team competition, and there is still more to pick up when Fidelio gets stronger and more experienced.

Fidelio van het Bloemenhof 🇩🇰 - good halt, good power for diagonal bit tight in the neck, good crossing for half passes, good halt with nice rein back, super supple extension, nice into passage, good 1st piaffe tiny forward but keeps the rhythm, loosing a bit of suspension for final part of passage before walk transition, good relaxation for walk tour, nice into passage at M, bit forward 2nd piaffe lack bit more clear activity, bit tense transition to canter, nice big 2 times, nice extended canter with smooth change, well balanced zigzag, nice 1 times forward flow, good 1st pirouette, 2nd lack bit more clear canter steps hind becomes a bit stiff, super nice diagonal with good extension, smooth final centerline. WELL DONE ANDERS

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

Not as expected 80% level for TSF Dalera BB today

Even with not a top top performance from Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her dancing mare TSF Dalera BB they still show a strong test and picking up the high valuable points for the passage & piaffe tours with smooth easy transitions. Imagine being the dropscore with 76,894% that could be the fact when the team competition finish tomorrow.

TSF Dalera BB - tiny unstable halt, smooth power diagonal, balanced half to right, toilet for half pass to left into canter steps, tense rein back at the end, superb 1st piaffe at the spot sitting at her hind quarters, smooth transitions and super passage, good walk tour, 2nd piaffe with super nice activity and transitions, good 2 times could show bit more jump into the air, good extended canter, ok zigzag, good 1 times, could show a bit more clear active canter for the pirouettes, super nice diagonal, outstanding final centerline!

Remember you can follow H2R running comments at Horse2rider.com facebook page.

Dressage rider wanted for a professional Danish team

CVL Horses by Vivi and Chr Vang-Lauridsen in Denmark is searching for an experienced rider 

• Are you ready for new challenges in a professional team? 
  

• Do you have experience training horses at the highest level? 
  

We are a smaller team educating horses from youngsters up to Grand Prix, and you will be part of the team with opportunities to train and compete at both young horse level and Grand Prix level. 

We are selling our horses worldwide and horses from us have made to the team for different countries.
This year our team has won and been placed in Gp in Denmark and Sweden as well as placed in Scandinavian Championship for Young Horses in Falsterbo. We were also selected to represent Denmark at WCYH in Ermelo.

It is important for us that you are a responsible and ambitious person, with experience training the Grand Prix exercises. You will of course have the eyes from the ground and support in the daily training from the team. 

Good salary provided, and you can bring your own horse. 

Send a few words about yourself and a video where you are riding/training a horse direct to christian.vl@c.dk
Or to Christian Vang Lauridsen on Whatsap 004540252505.

Photo impressions from a successful Danish Warmblood foal show and mare grading at JJ Horses this weekend

FEI PRESS RELEASE - They're rearing to go in Rotterdam!

C’mon mum, I’m ready to go! The brilliant mare Bella Rose who won double-gold at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ for German legend Isabell Werth was bursting with excitement at today’s Dressage inspection at the Longines FEI European Championships 2019 in Rotterdam (NED). The phenomenal Werth has won a staggering 21 individual and team medals since competing in her first European Championships back in 1989. (FEI/Kim C Lundin)

Stage set for a fantastic week of sport

By Louise Parkes

The horses, riders, back-up teams and supporters have been descending on the "Het Kralingse bos”, the lovely forested public park located in the village of Kralingse on the outskirts of Rotterdam in The Netherlands, in preparation for the opening of the Longines FEI European Championships 2019 for Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage. 

The competition action kicks off tomorrow (Monday 19 August), but the high jinks already started today with some of the world’s greatest Dressage horses hot-to-trot and full of beans during the first veterinary inspection in which all were deemed fit to compete. 

The No. 1 horse-and-rider combination of German legend Isabell Werth and her brilliant mare Bella Rose put on a show in front of the Ground Jury when Bella couldn’t contain her excitement about what’s going to happen over the coming days. And they are not the only ones anticipating a great week of sport.

A total of 70 athletes from 24 countries and teams from 15 nations will compete in both Dressage and Jumping, while 66 riders from 21 countries will battle it out for Para Dressage medals

The Rotterdam showground has undergone a major transformation with an expanded grandstand around the main arena. A short walk through the woods takes visitors to the nearby Para Dressage ring where the veterinary inspection took place this morning, and there is an extensive trade-stand area further along the forest pathway.   

The Dressage team medals will be decided in the Grand Prix in which the first tranche of riders will compete tomorrow before the Opening Ceremony takes place later in the day. On Tuesday the Grand Prix will conclude and the team medals will be awarded. The Grand Prix Special will take place on Thursday, and then Saturday’s Grand Prix Freestyle will bring this Championship to a close.

Beginning on Wednesday there will be five full days of Para Dressage action, highlighted by the team medals presentation on Friday and the Freestyle finales on Sunday.  

The Jumping team medals will also be awarded on Friday after three consecutive days of thrilling competition, and on Sunday a new Jumping champion will be crowned at the end of the two-round individual showdown.

It’s going to be great, so don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Once available, startlists and results can be found here 

Event website here 

Watch all the action live www.feitv.org

VIDEO - Superb 78,021% CDI4 Grand Prix Special for Famoso OLD with Benjamin Werndl

Smooth power test in a lovely easy light frame all the way without any technical issues.

Enjoy the test below.

See the entire results here.

Danish bred Zalando with Nicole Casper are ready for Nürnberger Burg-Pokal final

9 year old stallion Blue Hors Zack / Sunny Boy with Nicole Casper won the qualifier for Nürnberger Burg-Pokal at Donaueschingen.

Nicole Casper showed a solid test with some minor issues, the entering halt and the halt for rein back with left hind resting, the collected walk tour becomes a bit unbalanced, and an error creeping in for the 4 times. The overall picture becomes a bit disturbed as Zalando looks a bit uncomfortable in the contact.

Hvad og hvornår til Dansk Varmblods Eliteskue

Et stort program med de bedste unge hopper og de bedste unge føl, som er samlet den 24. og 25. august på Vilhelmsborg.

Det hele bliver krydret med en fantastisk eliteføl kollektion til auktionen lørdag aften - en sand avlerfest.

Se det fulde katalog her.

PAVO Cup Winners 2019

For both the 4 year old and 5 year old the test rider German Philip Hess did score both Kjento and Jameson RS2 lower and they ended up both as no 3.

For the 6 year old Imposantos presented by Bart Veeze kept his winner position also after the test riding today.

Unfortunately there are still no online results for the 6 year old.

4 year old

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5 year old

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The best ever Danish Warmblood Elite foal collection

Sharp selection makes a top collection for the buyers

The Danish Warmblood breeders has really been stepping up their breeding program over the last couple of years. Whether it is the serious hobby breeder or the breeder with more quality mares - they all make a huge impact on this years Elite foal collection.

The solid damlines with mares being tested and showing great results, combined with the selection of top stallions from all over Europe makes the future top horses. And hopefully in the footsteps of other very successful Danish Warmblood medal horses as Atterupgaards Cassidy, Hønnerups Driver, UNO Donna Unique, Sezuan, Fiontini, Zhaplin Langholt, Hesselhøj Donkey Boy and many more.

Very strong filly year

Franklin, Knock Out, Floriscount and Fürstenball all with more top foals for the Elite auction.

Franklin has stamped himself as a top foal producer and this year you will have the opportunity to find more top quality foals by him. Former KWPN Champion stallion Knock Out with two excellent offsprings for the collection - really top foals, and Floriscount really shows that he also fits the Danish Warmblood damlines perfectly producing expressive uphill very well moving foals. Fürstenball just keep on producing top foals, this year with an extraordinary filly with Dancier as damsire, and a colt with Tailormade Temptation as damsire, he really look like a copy of Fürstenball himself at the age.

Zackerey with a super top star filly Egegårdens Miss Daisy with Blue Hors Farrell as damsire (419), Vitalis with a very powerful girl with Blue Hors Romanov as damsire (401), Springbank II VH with an expressive modern filly with Solos Landtinus as damsire (418), Sezuan´s Donnerhall / Westpoint with a powerful filly (439) and Grand Galaxy Win / Gribaldi with an elegant well moving filly.

Both young stallions Straight Horse Sir Romance and Janeiro Platinum are represented with two offsprings each for the collection.

HERE you find the entire collection.

Come and join the Elite Auction live for free - and buy your ticket for dinner here.

Vet. and WFFS status can be informed the day before the auction - contact direct at the auction office, mail mf@varmblod.dk.

REMEMBER you can follow the presentation of the collection Saturday 24th at 14.30 and the auction at 19.00 LIVE at Clipmyhorse. I you want to make your bid by phone, please contact Monica Forrest beforehand for registration - mail: mf@varmblod.dk

5 year old and 6 year old ready for PAVO Cup final

Jameson RS2 and Marieke van der Putten - photo credit: Lily Forado

5 year old for the final

6 year old for the final

FEI Press Release - Will anyone challenge the German Dressage giants?

The undisputed Queen of international Dressage, Isabell Werth, headlines the stellar German side who go into next week's Longines FEI European Dressage Championships as defending champions. (FEI/Liz Gregg)

And who will claim the Olympic qualifying spots?

By Louise Parkes

When the Longines FEI European Dressage Championships 2019 get underway in Rotterdam, The Netherlands next Monday (19 August) the biggest question will be whether athletes from any other nation can seriously challenge the mighty Germans.

There may have been brief lapses in their domination of the team gold medal leaderboard - the Dutch coming out on top in 2007, 2009 and again in 2015, and Great Britain victorious in 2011 - but in the 56-year-history of this event that takes place every two years, the German record is phenomenal. 

A total of 23 team titles, with the last posted in Gothenburg (SWE) two years ago where team-member Isabell Werth brought her personal European medal collection to a staggering 21 when adding both the individual Grand Prix Special and Freestyle titles

In total Germany has scooped 18 individual golds, their nearest rivals from The Netherlands taking seven while Switzerland and Great Britain have four apiece and Austria, Denmark and France each have one. The record books show 24 female individual champions and a relatively modest eight male individual title-holders, the latter including the great Reiner Klimke from Germany who reigned supreme with Dux in 1967, with Mehmed in 1963 and with Ahlerich in 1985. 

The most recent male champion was The Netherlands’ Edward Gal whose Freestyle gold-medal-winning performance with the fabulous black stallion, Totilas, at Windsor (GBR) in 2009 was nothing short of unforgettable.

A total of 70 Dressage athletes from 24 countries will contest the medals this time around. And of the 15 participating teams, the biggest challenge to the defending champions from Germany look set to be the British, the Swedes, the Danes and of course their great old rivals, the Dutch.

The British will be hoping to put on a really strong show with the exciting nine-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle ridden by Charlotte Dujardin who will be joined by Carl Hester with Hawtins Delicato, Gareth Hughes with Classic Briolinca and newcomer Charlotte Fry partnering Dark Legend. Dujardin creates a ripple of excitement wherever she goes and no matter what horse she rides, and the lady who broke multiple world records during her thrilling partnership with the now-retired Valegro showed that her latest ride has huge potential when taking individual bronze in the Grand Prix Special at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon, USA.

Sweden sends Patrik Kittel, Therese Nilshagen and sisters Antonia and Juliette Ramel, while Denmark fields Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Anders Dahl, Cathrine Dufour and Agnete Kirk Thinggaard. Edward Gal, Anne Meulendijks, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Emmelie Scholtens will fly the Dutch flag, but it seems the opposition have much to do to keep the German side of Sonke Rothenberger riding Cosmo, Dorothee Schneider with Showtime FRH, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with TSF Dalera and Werth with her adored Bella Rose in check.

The only change from the gold-medal-winning German team at last year’s WEG is that Schneider has replaced Sammy Davis with Showtime, and this pair are in flying form at present, seriously threatening fellow-countrywoman Werth with great performances at CHIO Aachen (GER) last month.

The team medals will be decided in the Grand Prix which starts on Monday and runs over two days, and the competition for placings all the way down the line will be intense. Because the three best teams not already qualified will earn a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Chasing those three coveted spots will be Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal. Japan is qualified as host country while Germany, USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Canada, Brazil and Australia have already booked their slots. 

The Grand Prix Special title will be decided on Thursday 22nd and the Grand Prix Freestyle will bring the 29th FEI European Dressage Championship to a close on Saturday 24th. 

Longines FEI European Championships 2019 website here 

Full list of entries here 
 

20 best KWPN 4 year old horses ready for PAVO Cup final

Van Olst Horses stallion Kjento and Charlotte Fry winner of “half final” 5 year old horses

PAVO Cup 4 year old qualifier has started today - LIVE STREAM

A huge starter field for the 4 year old PAVO Cup qualifier has started today in Ermelo.

The class is running the entire day with last starters at 16.33. There are two horses in the arena for the test.

The final part from 14.43 will be with the licensed stallions.

• 14.54 Kardieno and Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard - Helgstrand Dressage

• 16.11 Kjento and Charlotte Fry - Van Olst Horses

See the entire start list here. Live stream via Clipmyhorse

Wednesday with 5 year old and 6 year old - start lists below for the stallions.

4 year old - Tuesday

5 year old - Wednesday

See the entire start list here.

6 year old - Wednesday

See the entire start list here.

VIDEO - Luxury Stable Tours at Lyndal Oatley & Patrik Kittel

Sezuan and Patrik Kittel during Danish Warmblood stallion show - photo credit: H2R

Var niveauet så forskelligt?

Det tilbagevendende spørgsmål melder sig endnu engang når man ser resultaterne fra championatskvalifikationerne.

Ville det ikke være mest fair, hvis det var samme dommer teams, som sad med alle steder?

Ingen tvivl om det er kompetente dommere på pladserne, men billedet og niveauet pointmæssigt bliver bare ikke det samme, når det er forskellige øjne som ser det.

Det handler jo alene om 6 datoer for de enkelte dommer teams, som i dag består af 2 i hver årgang, men som jo med fordel kunne ændres til 3, for dermed at minimere “risikoen” for frafald under vejs.

Med det oprindelige koncept hvor mellemrunden var en del af championatskvalifikationen, havde flere havde en ekstra chance for en finaleplads og med samme dommere.

5 års Billund

5 års Bogø

VIDEO - Grand Prix Special victory for Dorothee Schneider with Faustus in Verden today

Grand Prix Special victory for Dorothee Schneider with Faustus with smaller issues during the test, bit unbalanced transition out of 1st piaffe, small lost of impulsion mid of 2nd piaffe, big 2nd pirouette, bit stocked transition to trot at M, small lack of balance for final extension, final piaffe lack bit more energy. 75,894%

For Marcus Hermes with ZINQ Abegglen FH an error at the end of the 15 one times became costly today. The 2nd pirouette lack a bit balance and control and the final piaffe becomes a bit in two tempi. 75,511%

3rd today was 10 year old KWPN Elastico with Dutch rider Saskia van Es. They recently made their international GP debut at Leudelange, and today they came 3rd with 72,511%. Lot of power expression, but in general a bit to much push riding, but the qualities in general are really nice. During the test Elastico shows some tensions but Saskia manage to keep the flow in a good way.

See the entire results here.

Kristine Møller dominates in both small tour and medium tour at CDI Crozet FRA

Danish Kristine Møller riding for Luxembourg most successful rider in Crozet this weekend

It was the second year Kristine Møller and her team went to Crozet in France, and it was not only a huge success at the competitions, but the entire organisation and setup is just outstanding, and for sure an event for next years schedule again, tells a very happy Kristine Møller.

Five times winner this weekend

Two times at top of the podium Friday, Intermédiaire A victory with Hamilton with 69.882% and Prix Sct Georg victory with Standing O´vation with 71,029%.

Saturday just one day at top of the podium with Standing O´vation in Intermediaire I with 71,941%.

Then again twice at the top of the podium Sunday with Intermediaire I freestyle together with Standing O´vation with 73,950%, and later in Intermediaire II with Hamilton with 70,735%.