German´s GOLD team - photo credit: Lily Forado
FEI PRESS RELEASE - Germany gets Dressage gold again on roller-coaster day in Rotterdam
Denmark, Ireland and Portugal qualify for Tokyo 2020
By Louise Parkes
Germany claimed the team title for a staggering 24th time at the Longines FEI European Dressage Championships 2019 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today where the hosts scooped silver and Sweden snatched the bronze.
The battle for medal placings was intense, and so too was the contest for the three available qualifying spots at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which eventually went to Denmark, Ireland and Portugal.
On an extraordinary afternoon of high drama, German superstar Isabell Werth posted the biggest score of the competition with 85.652 from Bella Rose to secure the title and collect her 22nd European Championship medal and the 11th European team gold of her illustrious career. The stage looked set for Great Britain to bag the silver, but elimination for the penultimate partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Mt St John Freestyle under the blood rule dropped her team to fourth, so it was the Dutch and Swedes who filled the lower steps of the podium.
The winning German side consisted of all four gold medallists from last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon (USA), the only difference being the replacement of Dorothee Schneider’s ride, Sammy Davis Jr, with Showtime who posted yesterday’s biggest score. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB opened the German account yesterday morning, and when Sonke Rothenberger added 79.084 this morning, and then Werth and her 15-year-old mare put 85.652 on the board, the defending champions were never going to be overtaken.
It was another masterclass from the legend that is Werth, the most medalled athlete in the history of equestrian sport who said that today’s win was extra special because she achieved it with her beloved Bella Rose. “She was really brilliant, I’m happy and proud, both of us enjoyed the competition”, she said.
Werth, Schneider and Rothenberger were also all on Germany’s triumphant 2017 European side along with Helen Langehanenberg, but despite having another European gold medal around his neck, Rothenberger wasn’t entirely satisfied with his own performance.
"We came here with a really strong team knowing all horses scored already over 80%, so we expected quite a bit, but as you will see today it’s always a different story when you have to put it on the day in the ring. I was quite nervous for my own test…I couldn’t ride the perfectly precise round that we had in Aachen, but I’m looking forward to the following days and it was super fun to have such amazing colleagues who put down such amazing rounds!"
Sonke Rothenberger (Team Germany)
Lying second as the day began, it seemed the British would cruise into silver medal spot when Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato posted 78.323 with Dujardin still to come. But as the riders were preparing for the prizegiving the news of her elimination filtered through and Sweden moved up to bronze and the Dutch into silver medal spot.
Anne Meulendijks (MDH Avanti NOP) was the Dutch pathfinder yesterday with a score of 71.801 and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Dream NOP) followed with a mark of 75.295. Today Emmelie Scholtens posted 76.087 with Desperado NOP and when Edward Gal followed that with 78.758 from Glock’s Zonik NOP then the hosts were always going to take a podium placing.
Gal joked however that his stallion was a little distracted in the warm-up ring this afternoon. “There were all the mares I think that were in the competition in the same warm-up as me, so he was really wild - in the end they went away and I had five minutes when I could ride normal and then it was quite ok. But then in the ring I felt the concentration was a bit down….but luckily everything went well and the points were also nice so that’s why we are here now!” he explained.
Minderhoud described this afternoon as “really crazy because we were counting all the time for the scores”, and pointed out that this result means a lot to the host nation. “It was four years ago we had a medal, and I can tell you it’s not so nice to travel to Tryon (USA, for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018) and to travel to Rio (BRA, 2016 Olympic Games) and not have a medal in your suitcase when you come back!” So today felt pretty good.
Sweden’s Patrick Kittel was also delighted to find himself and his team that included Therese Nilshagen and Antonia and Juliette Ramel, on the podium. “Today was quite something, like Hans Peter said it was like a roller-coaster. At first I was almost biting the sand - I thought it was going to be another Tryon again, 0.2 away from the medal, but in the end it worked out and we’ve had amazing sport and seen amazing horses!”
The individual standings in the Grand Prix showed Werth, Schneider and Rothenberger with the top three scores followed by Gal in fourth, Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen in fifth and Britain’s Hester just ahead of Kittel in sixth place. The top-30 individuals go through to Thursday’s Grand Prix Special in which Werth and Rothenberger will be defending the gold and silver they won in Gothenburg (SWE) two years ago.
Results here
Watch highlights here
3rd part Grand Prix day 2 - Bella Rose and Isabell Werth leads the German team to the best ever result
Bella Rose and Isabell Werth GER - photo credit: Lily Forado
Riding for the GOLD
Not much to say Werth was going for gold and she got it together with the German team.
From H2R point of view the walk tour and the pirouettes still have room for improvement, even more than the scoreboard tells. As the day developed one have to realise that Werth will be very difficult to beat over the next days.
Bella Rose GER - good halt, bit hectic diagonal, supple half pass right, super smooth to left uphill lightness pure, super halt with rein back, good extension, direct to passage, super expressive passage, sharp in and out of super piaffe, good relaxation for extended walk bit unbalance rhythm, super into passage, super dancing 2nd piaffe and transitions from the book of dressage, good transition to canter, super 2 times, this was extended canter and transition back before change, superb zigzag, super nice 1 times, tiny pirouette but lack more clear canter beat, 2nd better canter, nice diagonal, outstanding final.
Well Done de la Roche and Patrik Kittel SWE - photo credit: Lily Forado.
For Kittel like for Gal and Dufour it was entirely about the podium. And they gave it all.
The ultra light-footed mare Well Done de la Roche has been kind of a shy girl in the arena, not the spooky way but more like a bit insecure. Today’s test showed a very confident and expressive mare following all the aides and signals from her rider, and a significant development of the piaffe tours made the big score and the podium for the Swedish team.
Well done de la Roche SWE - good halt, bit hectic diagonal, light and supple half passes with good crossing, super halt with rein back, good diagonal, direct into passage, good passage, nice piaffe with good transitions, bit hurried extended walk need more relaxation, good 2nd piaffe with nice transitions, good transition to canter, nice 2 times, good extended canter, super balanced zigzag, smooth 1 times, super nice 1st pirouette, nice control and balance 2nd 2nd pirouette, good transition to trot, nice diagonal, smooth final centerline. 78,261%
Glock´s Zonik and Edward Gal NED - photo credit: Lily Forado
Gal was clearly determined to ride for the podium you could see, and his impressive Danish Warmblood stallion Glock´s Zonik had agreed on that plan. The Dutch team was definitely not going into to this championships as a silver contender, but as things developed over the two days they were standing at the silver podium today.
Glock´s Zonik N.O.P. NED - good halt, direct forward, power supple diagonal, supple super balanced half passes, open halt bit tense rein back, nice diagonal, super into passage, good piaffe with good transitions, super supple relaxed extended walk, direct to passage, regular 2nd piaffe could show a bit more obedience, good transition to canter, good 2 times, power extended canter, lacking bit more forward search for zigzag, good 1 times, super nice pirouettes, good transition to canter, nice diagonal, good final piaffe, strong final.
Mount St. John Freestyle and Charlotte Dujardin GBR - photo credit: Lily Forado
Eliminated
After a +81% test Dujardin and Mount St. John Freestyle were unfortunately eliminated after steward control, as Mount St. John has got a scratch from the spurs on the left side. This fact just changed the medal picture for the silver and bronze podium.
Great Britain was a silver position while Holland was at bronze. With the elimination Holland moved up to silver and Sweden took the bronze. Even with just three combinations left without Dujardin for Great Britain they finished 4th, while Demark finished 5th. With this picture 2% more for Denmark, it would have brought them into a silver position.
Mount St John Freestyle GBR - superb halt, power set off, WOW diagonal, nice flow half passes uphill, super nice halt with rein back, wauw supple extension to passage, dancing steps, small tensions for 1st piaffe, nice transitions, super relaxation and over track for extended walk, wow passage, lack a tiny bit to bring in the power for the piaffe, huge sit and bouncy steps, good transition to canter, huge 2 times, power extended canter and back for super change, small unbalance for zigzag, could be a bit smaller the 1st pirouette, 2nd more centered, superb diagonal, superb passage piaffe lack bit more clear flow. What a great performance.
Statement at Charlotte Dujardin Facebook site:
2nd part Grand Prix day 2 - Cosmo underlines the dominans of the Germans
Cosmo and Sönke Rothenberger GER - photo credit: Lily Forado
Cosmo and Sönke another huge team effort. Even though the overall impression from the test was a bit conservative they still show top qualities, and for today their best ever first piaffe tour.
Cosmo GER - nice square steady halt, good diagonal with nice expression, Sönke reminding him at the end to stay with him, good half passes, good halt with rein back, diagonal not with full risk, super into passage, the best ever 1st piaffe at the spot delivered today from them!!! good walk, small spoke at the corner for start of collected walk, good 2nd piaffe tour staying nicely at the spot again, very controlled 2 times starting a bit late, conservative extended canter, well balanced zigzag, good 1 times, very nice 1st pirouette, lost balance for 2nd pirouette, good transition to trot, lack more power for final diagonal, nice bouncy piaffe at the spot for the final centerline. Very nice test.
Hawtins Delicato with Carl Hester GBR - photo credit: Lily Forado
Super well balanced all the way in best Mr. Hester style. Good contact, nice frame and attentive all the way. A test where you really feel your watching a horse and rider in great harmony.
Hawtins Delicato GBR - good halt, good diagonal, well balanced half passes, not really showing the steady halt for rein back, good diagonal, good transition to passage, piaffe lack bit more activity and transitions could be more direct into passage again, good walk tour, better activity and transitions for 2nd piaffe, good piaffe with nice rhythm, huge supple 2 times, power extension superb transition, good zigzag, super nice 1 times, big 1st pirouette, same for 2nd pirouette, super transition to trot, good diagonal, super smooth high quality final.
Atterupgaards Cassidy and Cathrine Dufour DEN - photo credit: Lily Forado
Dancing in the heavy rain for Danish Dufour and Cassidy
It became a kind of dancing in the rain test for Dufour and Cassidy as the sky just opened when they started their test. A very unfortunate error by the one times became the difference for the Danish team being at the podium or not, or you could say when the piaffe tours for Daniel and Zack has been a bit sharper they could have secured the team medals, instead the Danish team can celebrate their Olympic team spot together with Ireland and Portugal.
🇩🇰 Atterupgaards Cassidy - nice halt, super power for diagonal, nice balance for half passes could show a bit more suppleness in the crossing, good halt with rein back, good diagonal, good into passage, good passage, good active 1st piaffe, good transitions, super nice extended walk, good collected walk, good 2nd piaffe at the spot with smooth transitions, nice transition to canter, superb 2 times, very nice extended canter, well balanced zigzag, error 1 times, super small quality pirouettes, good diagonal, very passage, small stop for final piaffe at the centerline, good final passage.
Strong Buriel with much more relaxation for the walk tour and with the outstanding passage and piaffe tours, handed over the torch to Kittel “just” to deliver the rest.
Buriel K.H. SWE - dropping the pole for entering halt, bit running diagonal, lack bit more bend for half passes good rhythm uphill, very hard contact for halt with rein back tensions in the mouth, super passage, lovely bouncy piaffe with superb transitions, bit short extended walk, good collected walk, super into passage, easy 2nd passage/piaffe/passage with top quality, good transition to canter, good 2 times, good extended canter, well balanced zigzag, error begin 1 times did not take the aides, good pirouettes, becomes a bit high in the neck for final diagonal, superb final centerline.
The Dutch team could also smell the podium and after a full power test from Minderhoud yesterday, Scholtens and Gal just had to finish it. Emmelie Scholtens and Desperado delivered an errorfree test with good power all the way, for a few moments the big stallion was lacking a bit more obedience for the piaffe tours, but very well managed from Emmelie.
Desperado N.O.P. NED - good halt, tiny unbalanced extended trot, supple half passes with super crossing, good halt with rein back, good diagonal, nice transition to passage, good passage, good piaffe could be a more clear of the ground hind, good transitions, super supple walk tour, nice transition into passage, slightly forward 2nd piaffe but better activity, good transition to canter, nice 2 times, nice extended canter, active zigzag, good 1 times with nices activity, super sit for 1st pirouette, bit unbalanced end of 2nd pirouette, good diagonal, very nice final centerline with good transitions.
Danish Warmblood represented with more horses and among the Finnish Henri Rouste who has been very active during the season to gain some experience for his talented Danish Warmblood gelding Rossetti, and today they showed their best ever test in the rain.
Rossetti FIN - good start, super diagonal, super uphill smooth half passes, good halt with rein back, nice diagonal into passage, good 1st piaffe tour with nice transitions, good relaxation for the walk tour, small unbalance 2nd piaffe, good transition to canter, nice 2 times, good control for extended canter, unbalanced zigzag, nice 1 times, lacking more clear canter for 1st pirouette, 2nd better quality, nice extended trot at diagonal with nice expression, good passage, small stop for piaffe, good final passage. 72,593%
Buy your next Danish Warmblood next Saturday
New profile for Helgstrand Dressage
Master rider Søren Vallentin has decided to resign on October 1st, and Helgstrand Dressage has hired Maria Anita Andersen as general manager and master rider at Helgstrand Academy.
Søren Vallentin who is working at Helgstrand Academy has decided to stop after 2 years at Helgstrand Dressage. Søren will continue to be employed at Helgstrand as a freelancer.
It has been 2 exciting years at Helgstrand Dressage, where 2 days are never the same. Some of the things that have been best are the team spirit, talented equestrians, and good horses, says Søren Vallentin.
Maria Anita Andersen graduated as a master rider in 2006, where she was subsequently employed by Blue Hors, and after 8 years at Blue Hors, she started her own company in 2014. From 2017 until now, she has been employed by the Danish Equestrian Federation where she has been an instructor at their courses. Maria Anita Andersen will be responsible for the daily operations at Helgstrand Academy and will also be responsible for teaching and developing our horses and riders.
I’m really looking forward to starting at Helgstrand Dressage and become a part of the team. I’m sure that I can contribute with my competences, while I can improve myself both professionally and personally, says Maria Anita Andersen.
I have contacted Maria myself several times because I worked with her at Blue Hors and have always thought she was a fantastic rider and colleague. I have always wanted her to be a part of Helgstrand Dressage, so it is a great pleasure she will be a part of our team, says Andreas Helgstrand.
Maria Anita Andersen will start at Helgstrand Dressage as a general manager on October 1st.
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.
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!
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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
5 year old
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
