VIDEOS top 5 - CDI5 Grand Prix Special Herning with Danish top performances

Carina Cassøe Krüth, Cathrine Dufour and Daniel Bachmann Andersen - photo credit: H2R

“Let the Games begin” - outstanding Danish combinations showed both individual and team strength

The CDI5 tour became a demonstration of power and strength from the Danes, as all combinations showed the entire dressage world, that they are able to be part of the absolute top of the international dressage.

Well deserved kiss for Helline´s Danciera aka Danse - photo credit: H2R

Unbelieveable high quality

Cathrine Dufour has with her young Bohemian are very serious contenders for the Olympics, and the CDI5 debutant 9 year old Danish Warmblood mare Heiline´s Danciera with Carina Cassøe Krüth delivered an outstanding Grand Prix Special for their third time ever, and at the same time breaking the 80% barrier is kind of unbelievable, while Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his Blue Hors Zepter went into 3rd position with a score of 78,745% just tells everything about the Danish level.

Spains Severo Jurado Lopez and Fiontini also showed great form and top qualities, and a very sharp card for the Spanish Olympic team.

5th was another Danish combination Anders Dahl with Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, going in there doing a top test with Personal Best score of 75,532%.

FEI judges Isobel Wessels and Susanne Baarup were impressed about the Danish qualities - WATCH a small interview here.

The Olympic theme for the entire stallion show suddenly felt very much like, bring it on “Let the Games begin”.

Here you find the full results.

(VIDEO top 3) 83,043% CDI5 Grand Prix new Personal Best for Cathrine Dufour with Bohemian

CDi5 podium Cathrine Dufour, Carina Cassøe Krüth and Severo Jurado Lopez - photo credit: Mia Bach/Helgstrand Dressage.

Incredible high level for today’s international Grand Prix at Herning

The Danish combinations showed that they are getting ready for the attractive spots for the Olympics.

Personal best scores for top 4 today, and with CDI5 debut for 2nd and 3rd placed.

Dufour and Bohemian showed an outstanding test, only single issue was an error at the beginning of the two times, rest was as close to spot on as possible. (Former PB was 83,022% 2019/10 Herning)

Placed second was 9 year young Danish Warmblood mare Heiline´s Danciera with Carina Cassøe Krüth. Another WAUW performance from this very elegant and powerful combination without any technical issues and at the same time no exercise weaknesses. They were really showing how to be part of the top combinations for the upcoming Olympics.

Third today was triple Young Horse World Champion Fiontini with Severo Jurado Lopez. Super timing and qualities through out the test. Severo and Fiontini getting ready for their Tokyo goal.

Other Danish combinations

Just outside the podium spots today were Anders Dahl and Daniel Bachmann Andersen. New PB for Fidelio van het Bloemenhof showing an errorfree test with just a bit unbalanced 2nd pirouette, while Daniel was a bit too conservative today himself, he told after the test, as he was clearly a bit rusty in the arena together with Zepter today as there unfortunately crept errors in for both series and lost of balance for 2nd pirouette.

Lone Bang Larsen was very satisfied with Onandt today, as they were able to show a clear test with just some minor tensions for the canter tour.

Marianne Helgstrand was also satisfied with her test, as there was just a single minor issue when Lollipop just kicked out for the first flying change for the one times.

Helene Melsen and Aston Martin showed an overall solid test without any technical issues.

Very satisfied team coach

“I’m very pleased with the Danish performances today, and they all performed good tests. This first observation day was for sure a really really good start of our important spring season”, said Danish national coach Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.

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First part of Danish Warmblood Young Horse Championship starts today at 17.00

45 combinations are ready for the first part of the YH Championship today

There will be three combinations together in the arena at a time, riding lines/exercises instructed by the two judges, and where the walk, trot and canter will be judged.

2nd part will take place Thursday at 3 pm where there will be two combinations in the arena, judged by three judges, again judging the paces and then also rideability and potential.

The 24 best after 2nd part will be ready for test rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Saturday and Sunday morning.

The remaining part of combinations will be qualified for the B-final, where they will have to show like the 2nd part Thursday, for two judges. The B-final takes place Friday at 8 pm at Arena E.

See the start list for today here.

ONLINE GUIDE - Where and when for Danish Warmblood stallion show, CDI, stallion presentations, gala and much more

Today horses are moving in, riders and grooms are settling in, and everyone getting ready for 5 days of international top sport, licensing of stallions, gala and much more for Danish Warmblood stallion show 2020.

Tomorrow Wednesday is the first day starting with Blue Hors Young Horse Championship late afternoon, and then Thursday continues with CDI3 small tour and CDI3 big tour, as well as 2nd part of the Young Hors Championship.

If you haven’t booked your ticket for Denmark this weekend you will still be able to follow the entire event via live stream at Clipmyhorse, and remember when Danish international top rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen will do the testing of the 24 best 5 year old Danish Warmblood horses qualified for the final Saturday and Sunday morning, there will be live English speak via Clipmyhorse. And if your present at the event you can just log in at your Clipmyhorse to follow the speak.

Impressive lists for both stallion licensing and CDI

For sure Europe´s best young stallions will be in Herning, and at same time the best Danish combinations are ready for the first observation event prior to the Olympic team selection. Further more the field of young horses for the championship are with best breeding combinations.

Below you find the direct links for the event:

Informations

Start and results

Schedule

Clipmyhorse

Blue Hors secured another one of the best young KWPN stallions to Denmark

Blue Hors Monte Carlo TC during KWPN licensing - photo credit: Timo Martis

Right before next weeks Danish Warmblood stallion licensing, stud Blue Hors made an announcement today, that they have purchased half of a very attractive stallion, now named Blue Hors Monte Carlo TC.

One of H2R top favourites before and during the KWPN stallion licensing was this expressive super supple and well balanced Glock´s Dream Boy / United / Jazz son.

Danish stud Blue Hors has now secured themselves as co-owners together with the present owners, Tim Coomans, Joop van Uytert and Nico Witte.

As a foal Monte Carlo was sold at Excellent Dressage Sale for 19.000 euro.

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Super Nova II and Spencer Wilton back in business after 1,5 year break

The CDI4 Grand Prix class in Lier with huge British imprint

Tonights winner 17 year old Super Nova II by De Niro ridden by Spencer Wilton showed a strong over all test.

Last time this combination showed was September 2018 at WEG in Tryon where they were placed as individual 15 in the Grand Prix, and secured the British team their bronze medal, including Olympic Tokyo team qualification. Unfortunately Super Nova got very excited by the price giving ceremony, and for the subsequent training the day after he didn’t felt ok, and Spencer had to withdraw from further competition. Spencer Wilton has been suffering from back problems, and during 2019 he has undergone a back surgery himself.

Today they were strongly back at the international scene. Before the start signal Super Nova looked quite tense, but Spencer really managed to keep him focused all the way, and the entire test was with clearly statement of their long time partnership. No technical errors, just a few minor issues mainly from tensions, but they managed to keep their high standard all the way.

After the test Spencer told that they were both really nervous, “I was hoping at 17 years old he would plod round, but no such luck 😊”, Spencer said.

Team competition between Britain and The Netherlands

Today’s “team competition” went to Britain, as also Sonnar Murray with Erlentanz and Gareth Hughes with KK Woodstock were showing strong tests, where only Adelinde Cornelissen with Aqiedo was able to challenge the Brits placed as no 3 today.

Stalion sport test comes up live from Verden 7 & 8 March (Clipmyhorse)

4 year old

5 year old

Entries CDI5 and CDI3 Herning DEN 5 - 8 March

First important observation event for the Danish combinations towards the Olympic

When Herning comes up it will of course be with very sharp eyes for the Danish combinations from the national coach Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, as she stated earlier this year.

National coach Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein states: - It has been a great wish to have a 5-star competition for Denmark. And it is amazing that the Danish Warmblood has fulfilled that wish. It shows that we are a very strong nation, that we can do something together. DWB 5-star Dressage will be an important part of the riders' preparation for the Olympics, and all riders at the Danish A-team will be at start either in the 5-star or the 3-star competition. - the competitions in Herning will be observers prior to the selection of the team for the Olympics. We get to see the potential Olympic candidates together and that will make the competitions very interesting, continues the national coach, who complements: - We have to select in the A-squad after DWB 5-star Dressage, which is why the competitions in Herning become extremely important.

CDI5 entries:

CDI3 entries:

Træning af Ungheste - Eksperter med stor erfaring og masser engagement

Christian Springborg, Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen og Mette Sejbjerg Jensen - photo: Helgstrand Dressage

Spændende søndag formiddag fra unghestearrangement hos Helgstrand Dressage

Selvom man ikke havde tilmeldt sig arrangementet, havde man alligevel mulighed for at følge med fra tæt hold, da Helgstrand Dressage havde valgt at livestreame fra søndagens ungheste arrangement.

En interessant og lærerig formiddag i selskab med de tre unge eksperter, Christian Springborg som er Avlsmanager og ansvarlig for Ny Ravnstrup (ungheste og tilridning), Christian er uddannet agronom, samt de to uddannede beridere Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen og Mette Sejbjerg Jensen.

Streamingen startede med en båndet udsendelse fra Ny Ravnstrup, hvor Christian Springborg viste rundt, alt imens han fortalte om faciliteterne og de unge heste, som talte årets indkøbte føl, plage og nytilredne unge heste.

Derfra gik turen til Helgstrand Dressage hvor deltagerne fik en grundig teoretisk gennemgang af hvordan teamet starter de unge heste op, helt fra første håndtering, over første longering, til den unge hest er klar til at gå med rytter, og sidst men ikke mindst sikkerheden som naturligvis altid er i højsædet.

Efterfølgende var der praktisk gennemgang med tre unge heste som blev vist under rytter, og her var de alle tre i aktion, hvor tilskuerne kunne følge med i hvilke ting der blev fokuseret på, når rytteren var i sadlen.

Det var tydeligt et super engageret team, som var klar til at dele deres erfaringer og viden med publikum.

Et spændende arrangement med livestreaming, som bestemt også fangede ude i stuerne.

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VIDEO - Daniel Bachmann Andersen is excited about his job as test rider of the young Danish Warmblood horses in Herning

Daniel Bachmann Andersen - photo credit: H2R

Test rider of the best 5 year old Danish Warmblood horses qualified for the Young Horse Championship 2020 is 29 year old Blue Hors rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen is educated in Germany, and part of the team at stud Blue Hors. We all know Daniel from his international successes with among other the Blue Hors stallions, Blue Hors Zack, Blue Hors Don Olymbrio and Blue Hors Veneziano.

During the year Daniel is also doing clinics and some teaching, both in Denmark and abroad, and he is really looking forward to his new challenge as test rider of the 24 best young horses in Herning.

The test riding takes place in Boxen arena, Saturday morning from 9.00 am - 12.00 am and again Sunday morning from 8.30 am to 10.00 am.

REMEMBER - Daniel will speak Danish during the testing, but for the foreign spectators there will be English speak live at Clipmyhorse, whether your sitting in the arena or at home (just log into your Clipmyhorse account - Premium membership required).

Remember to choose subtitles when watching the video here below (for English)

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FEI Dressage World Cup™ WEL 2019/2020: Dazzling Dufour and Cassidy triumph again in Gothenburg

Fierce battle continues for German places at series Final in Las Vegas  

Not for the first time, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and her mighty little chestnut gelding Atterupgaards Cassidy stole Swedish hearts when winning tonight’s tenth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2019/2020 Western European League at the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg (SWE).  

The Danish pair have a particular affinity with this city, taking bronze here in both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle at the FEI European Championships staged in 2017 and then returning to win the FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in 2018.  And today they were unbeatable once more, despite a shaky start in yesterday’s Grand Prix in which they had to settle for third place after a nasty stumble in their first extended trot and an error of course at the end of their test. 

"I’ve had him 10 years now and he’s really special for me and my family. I think I owe this horse everything - he kind of created my career and I am really truly enjoying every time I ride down the centreline because he’s 17 years old and you never know what happens. He feels great and is super-sound, but you just have remember to enjoy every single ride!” 

Cathrine Dufour (DEN)

Dufour said tonight after pinning Germany’s Benjamin Werndl and Frederic Wandres into third.

Sweden’s Paulinda Friberg and Di Lapponia T kicked off the action after the half-time break with a new leading mark of 74.145, but Wandres soared out in front when posting 81.465 with Duke of Britain for a test that oozed power and pzazz. Their coordination with their musical score was superb. 

“We used this music for the first time at London Olympia at Christmas and it was good, today is only the second time we do it and when the crowd started clapping on the last line I knew it was not too bad again!” said the rider who finished his performance with extravagant one-handed passage to the delight of the spectators.

Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry and Dark Legend, who posted a personal-best yesterday when claiming runner-up spot in the Grand Prix, also produced some fabulous passage on their way to a mark of 81.030, but then Dufour blew the whole competition wide open. Cassidy sparkled as they collected 9s for extended trot and 10s for canter pirouette, and when 87.860 went up on the board that was always going to be tough to beat.

The penultimate partnership of Sandra Dahlin and Ichi have been making the headlines all week because this is a horse that comes with a fascinating story. The Dahlin family won Ichi’s mother in a raffle at Gothenburg Horse Show 17 years ago, and the 14-year-old mare has done them proud. As Show Director, Tomas Torgersen, said this evening some new riders who have been given an opportunity to compete at Gothenburg Horse Show this year and they have blossomed. Dahlin is one of those, showing tremendous talent when steering her mare into fifth place both yesterday and again today in only the fourth international outing of their career together. 

Last man in was yesterday’s winner Benjamin Werndl, and the crowd watched intently as he consistently racked up strong scores with Daily Mirror, but when 86.170 went up on the board he had to settle for second place behind Dufour. He was far from disappointed however, in fact he said he was “super happy” because this week he has made a breakthrough in piaffe which has sometimes been problematic with this horse. “I’m looking forward to the next competitions now. I always said he’s the best horse I ever sat on, the only thing was the piaffe could be better, but if he does it like he did today then who knows what can happen!”
 
With just one more Western European League qualifier left to run, in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in three weeks’ time, many of the riders are thinking ahead to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas (USA) in April. Dufour explained that she won’t compete there as she is aiming both Cassidy and her younger horse Bohemian, who topped the opening leg of the WEL series on home ground in Herning (DEN) last October, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

But both runner-up Werndl and third-placed Wandres have it clearly in their sights - if they get the opportunity. “I’d like to go to both Vegas and Tokyo! I have two horses so I will have to discuss with our national trainers. If I go to Vegas I will go with Famoso” Werndl said.

But as Wandres explained it’s not just as easy as that. As it stands tonight, German riders hold the top four places on the WEL leaderboard of which just two will be permitted to join their compatriot and defending champion, Isabell Werth, in the battle for the 2020 title. Top of the table ahead of the 11th and last leg is Jessica von Bredow Werndl, followed by her brother Benjamin Werndl, then Wandres and in fourth is Helen Langehanenberg.

"I’m proud to be German but sometimes it’s not so easy in the dressage ring to be a German rider because there’s always a big fight for the three spots for the World Cup Final. And there’s one more show in March so everything is still open and we have to fight until the end. But if I have a chance to go for sure I will take it because it’s a dream for me, especially with this horse. We came into the Grand Prix sport together and this would be something special!"

Frederic Wandres (GER)

Result here 

WEL Standings here 

Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy did not disappoint their fans

Atterupgaards Cassidy - Photo: @FEI-tv screen shot

From yesterday with some technical issue till today with two minor errors for the series

The entire Scandinavium spectators were behind Dufour and Cassidy from entering to leaving the arena today, and from yesterday’s price giving you were not in doubt that the Swedish enthusiastic audience really love the Danish combination, and felt sorry for their very unfortunate performance in the Grand Prix.

New day, new competition, new result this agenda was for sure clear for Dufour today, and she performed with usual power, harmony, difficulty, and lightness, just with two smaller errors at the beginning of both series, of which she repeated with her joker line, with first a clear line of two times going direkte into a clear line of one times 💪🏻.

87,860% Atterupgaards Cassidy DEN - good halt, good passage, piaffe, passage, super diagonal extended trot (some of us holding the breath), strong passage/trot half passes, super full turn piaffe, super extended trot again, super passage / trot, super walk tour, super mood going into canter tour, power canter and pirouette, error hind 2 times begin, nice canter half passes, super extended canter to double pirouette, error begin of 1 times tension hind, super line with 2 times going into 1 times (must be her jokerline) applauding enthusiastic audience for the final steps. 

Entered to the lyrics "I won't never give up...."

86,170% Daily Mirror GER - starting out in canter immediately into canter pirouette with small lost of balance, good 2 times on curved track, nice canter half passes, super line of 1 times on curved track, very difficult and demanding choreography for the canter tour, superb extended walk, bouncy dancing floating extended trot, nice expressive passage into nice piaffe with good balance and good sit, supple half pass right uphill super crossing, smooth to the left, Benjamin is challenging Daily Mirror for the piaffe tours but superb successful, and again superb diagonal, never seen Daily Mirror doing better piaffe tours, bit ahead of the music for the final.

81,465% Duke of Britain GER - strong trot tour, love the music mood, and suit very well also with transitions, bit tense collected walk, into piaffe fan, into super relaxed extended walk, strong canter tour with superb extension into double pirouettes, very nice final piaffe fan.

81,030% Dark Legend GBR - lovely start with passage half passes at the centerline, power diagonal, nice piaffe with small turn, super rhythm and expression for passage tours, supple power half passes, super relaxation for walk tour, picking up piaffe pirouette showing some tension in the contact, good canter pirouettes, smooth series, lack bit more clear flow for transition to trot, extended trot into nice piaffe pirouette, super final with strong passage tour.

79,845% Ichi SWE - some tension at start, but manage well as she is picking up her test, super nice trot tour with nice piaffe before going into the walk tour which could be a bit more relaxed, unfortunately some hot tensions before going into the canter tour, bit of a handful for the canter tour but very well managed and with some really nice quality work, superb piaffe turn at the end - super debut World Cup.

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VIDEO - World Cup Grand Prix at Gothenburg - Benjamin Werndl and Daily Mirror with effortless quality test

Daily Mirror and Benjamin Werndl - photo: @Youtube/FEI

Not “just” the race for the World Cup final

Today it might look like a race for the World Cup final, but for more top combinations this is also the race in the clear direction Tokyo Olympics. The World Ranking points, the percentage, the placement - everything counts.

Can you performe an error free test with top qualities then you for sure will be among the top ones.

H2R made a prediction before the class today saying Cassidy, Daily Mirror and Dark Legend

Unfortunately this prediction failed, and today for one reason, Atterupgaards Cassidy and Cathrine Dufour did not performe up to their usual top class standard, however they still managed the final spot for the podium.

Benjamin showed an effortless test

Daily Mirror GER - super start, flow balance power diagonal, good bending lack tiny balance to right, good halt bit unbalanced rein back, good diagonal, nice passage, coming into piaffe bit to big, change to smaller steps but lack bit balance, transitions lack bit more fluency, good extended walk could stretch bit more towards the hand, good collected walk, good 2nd piaffe miss a bit more clear flow out, nice 2 times, smooth extended canter, tiny unbalance for zigzag, nice 1 times, well prepared 1st pirouette, 2nd lack bit more canter, bit on forehand for transition to trot, nice diagonal, bouncy passage, super nice transitions, and smooth piaffe.

Lottie with power personal best performance

Young British Van Olst Horses rider Charlotte Fry, is on a very solid path towards her spot for both the finals and the Olympics, and today she could add another personal best.

Dark Legend GBR - good halt, power diagonal, supple super balanced half passes, bit early halt for good rein back, power diagonal, smooth into passage, very regular, good 1st piaffe, easy out, good walk tour with nice relaxation, good transition to passage, good 2nd piaffe, could show bit more sit for piaffe, easy transitions, good into canter, nice 2 times, power extension, good zigzag, nice 1 times, super control 1st pirouette, 2nd same and tiny, good into trot, power diagonal, super passage, tiny forward trend final piaffe, nice passage, super halt.

Cathrine lost focus and the victory

Last to go Cathrine Dufour with Atterupgaards Cassidy, no doubt they could beat Benjamin with Daily Mirror if they showed a test with usual top qualities. And in between today there were some really great moments, but starting the first diagonal with a few super steps for the extended trot, and then Cassidy made a huge stumble running into canter, was a very unfortunate start, and from the sideline this incident just made a small cloud over the entire test, with further two errors for the canter tour, and then the very rare error of the course.

For Dufour this World Cup leg in Sweden is about World Ranking points, as she is not aiming for the final with Cassidy.

Atterupgaards Cassidy DEN - super halt, big stumble at the diagonal, bit careful half passes, nice halt with rein back, power diagonal, nice passage, tiny tensions 1st piaffe, good transitions, superb walk tour, super into passage, nice active 2nd piaffe, good transitions, nice transition to canter, error 2 times, error end of extended canter, well balanced 1st SHIT WRONG ROUTE, missing zigzag, nice zigzag, super 1 times, bit unbalanced 1st pirouette, 2nd tiny super quality, nice into trot, power diagonal, good passage, good piaffe, good halt.

Top 3 performances (watch here below)

1 - Daily Mirror - move timeline to 2:08:20

2 - Dark Legend - move timeline to 2:35.20

3 - Atterupgaards Cassidy - move timeline to 2:44:40

Overblik over DRESSUR og KÅRING i Herning

Hvor og hvornår skal du se DRESSUR?

Hvor og hvornår skal du følge KÅRING:

Køb din billet her: https://varmblod.billetten.dk/

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Danish Warmblood horses at FEI Dressage World Ranking 31 December 2019

FEI Dressage World Ranking 31 December 2019 with a total list of Danish Warmblood dressage horses

We all know the top horses, but further down the list there might be some we don’t know that well or we nearly forgotten while they no longer compete at European soil.

Entries - CDI-W Gothenburg comes up Friday and Saturday with full live stream schedule

World Cup Grand Prix LINK - Friday at 13.30, and World Cup Grand Prix freestyle via FEI-tv Saturday at 16.30.

All links for the event are available via H2R calendar.

Entries:

Laura Tomlinson and her 10 year old mare Rose of Bavaria winner of Grand Prix Special at CDI3 Le Mans

Today’s top 6 with nice performances and exciting horses for the future

Rose of Bavaria/Laura Tomlinson, nice start, good flow half pass, super nice expressive passage, nice half pass, good walk tour, good 1st piaffe, good transitions, 2nd piaffe nice, super transitions, nice half passes canter, super 2 times, error end 1 times, good pirouettes, error 1 times, nice final centerline.

Kontestro DB / Henri Ruoste, super expressive trot / passage tour, supple half passes, good walk tour, nice 1st piaffe at the spot, tensions for 2nd piaffe, nice canter half passes, super series, tensions and bit over turned 1st pirouette, 2nd better control, strong final with super timing.

Erlentanz / Sonnar Murray Brown - showing a solid test, but lacking a bit more over all power today.

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VIDEO - Hesselhøj Donkey Boy and Jan Møller Christensen winner of international debut Intermediate I freestyle today

Today’s winner of Intermediate I freestyle Danish Warmblood gold medal stallion Hesselhøj Donkey Boy with Jan Møller Christensen showed a strong performance with super qualities all the way, scoring 75.500%.

It was a top motivated Donkey Boy entering the arena, and it looked for a moment when the music started that he said “are you ready, Jan?”, but from entering the centerline to the finish halt they really showed a harmonious and supple test, the only smaller issue for the test was the finish which seemed be a bit abrupt.

Jan was of course very pleased with the performances this weekend, and tells that Donkey Boy now is having some experience both from travelling and setteling in at a new events during the years, which makes the preparation quite smooth, “and Donkey Boy is always ready when it comes to the competition part”, tells a smiling Jan.

Enjoy their test here below:

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FEI Dressage World Cup™ WEL 2019/2020: Delightful Dalera gives birthday-girl von Bredow-Werndl another win in Neumünster

Werth finishes second as Germany claims top four places

When Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won the third leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2019/2020 Western European League with TSF Dalera BB in Stuttgart (GER) in November she described herself as “over the moon!”. But today she was even more thrilled as she celebrated her 33rd birthday with a superb performance from the 13-year-old mare who pinned reigning champion Isabell Werth and Emilio into runner-up spot as German riders filled the top four places at the ninth leg of the series on home ground in Neumünster.

"This was a Personal Best for Dalera and me! She’s a rockstar, and the cutest horse in the world! She was amazing today - in piaffe and passage she was just breezing along, so I could breathe, relax and enjoy myself. There was such lightness, and it felt so easy and harmonious. I didn’t have to ask her for anything, all I had to do was just lead her through the test"

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER)

said von Bredow-Werndl after posting the winning score of 89.640.

Helen Langehanenberg and the evergreen 18-year-old Damsey FRH slotted into third ahead of von Bredow-Werndl’s brother, Benjamin Werndl, who finished fourth with the exciting 11-year-old Famoso, while the first of the visitors to get into the line-up was The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen who steered Zephyr into fifth place.

It was another of the powerful German contingent, 26-year-old Sonke Rothenberger, who led the way at the halfway stage when putting 79.285 on the board. But series double-champion Cornelissen overtook him when eleventh to go of the 15 starters, with a test that oozed energy and bounce as she racked up some maximum 10s along the way for a mark of 82.150. 

Then 2013 champion Langehanenberg put Germany back in charge, starting out with a 9.5 for walk and collecting consistently high marks as she moved the target-score up to 85.220 with Damsey FRH. At 18 years of age it seems this stallion loves his competition outings as much as ever. “He still feels so fresh!” said Langehanenberg who is also targeting the final leg of the WEL series in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) next month.

However von Bredow-Werndl’s effortless performance with Dalera would be the winning one of the day, the fluency and quiet understanding between horse and rider presenting a lovely picture that saw them pick up lots of 10s and leaving them just shy of the 90 percent mark on a score of 89.640. For the second time this season, superstar Isabell Werth had to settle for second place behind her team-mate. 

In Stuttgart von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB pipped Werth and Weihegold who have won the last three FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals. And today von Bredow-Werndl did it again, this time with the mare she steered to team gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon, USA and to team gold as well as Freestyle bronze at last summer’s FEI European Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. No wonder she has the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in her sights with this horse now.

“I won’t take her to the Final because I have Tokyo in mind, but I’ll bring Zaire to ’s-Hertogenbosch and decide if she will go to Las Vegas”, said the German rider who closely watched her brother, Benjamin Werndl, as he steered his rising star Famoso through a lovely balanced test to slot into fourth place on a mark of 85.165 when last to go. 

As Benjamin pointed out afterwards, the Neumünster crowd are a bit special, and today’s competition was of the highest level. 

“Here you are a bit scared to make a mistake because the crowd is so knowledgeable they will see it right away!”, he joked. “Our sport is getting better and better all the time so the competition is really tough. There are new riders coming up all the time and you think they can’t get better but they do, so it’s really super!” he added. He shared the lead on the Western European League table with his sister going into today’s event, and although she has nudged ahead his 65 points leave him more than comfortable in the race for a place at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2020 in Las Vegas in April.

Gothenburg in Sweden stages the penultimate leg of the Western European League qualifying series next weekend, with the last leg taking place in ’s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands on 14 March. 

Result here 

WEL Standings here 

Watch highlights here

Danish podium at Intermediate I: Rosenstolz, Hesselhøj Donkey Boy and Moselunds Dominic

Rosenstolz and Dennis Fisker - photo @clipmyhorse

Danish national coach for pony, junior and young riders Dennis Fisker took the victory in tonights Intermediate I with Malaysian owned Rosenstolz. Back in the spring 2018 Dennis showed Rosenstolz at international small tour level for the first time, and since then Malaysian Qabil Ambak has been competing the 14 year old HANN gelding.

Dennis showing a strong test with lovely balance and power, only weak point is the walk tour today, where the collected walk was lacking clear rhythm, and the extended walk becomes a bit limited.

Rosenstolz / Dennis Fisker DEN - nice halt, well balanced diagonal, nice balanced shoulder in, good volte, bit unbalanced half pass right, good halt with rein back, nice half pass left, smooth volte, bit open shoulder in, super diagonal, collected walk with tensions, lack more over the back for extended walk, good transition to canter, well balanced zigzag, good extended canter, super 3 times, nice pirouettes, super 2 times, late transition to trot, power diagonal, super halt.

Second place today for debut combination 8 year old Danish Warmblood stallion Hesselhøj Donkey Boy with Jan Møller Christensen. Donkey Boy and Jan has been very successful during the young horse years, and won silver at World Championship for Young Horses last year in Ermelo and became national champion for 7 year old horses in Denmark. Today with an overall very nice test, with just some minor issues which was clearly due to lack of experience at this level.

Hesselhøj Donkey Boy / Jan Møller Christensen DEN - nice halt, power diagonal, nice balance for shoulder in, good volte, and nice flow for half pass, good halt tense rein back, good half pass left, nice volte and shoulder in, power expressive short diagonal, nice transition to walk, super walk tour, good transition to canter, unbalanced zigzag canter, good medium canter bit late change, nice 3 times bit swinging, bit big into pirouette but well managed, 2nd pirouette bit lost of balance, good 2 times, transition at C to trot lack bit more flow, super diagonal, super halt. 

Third today was also Danish, Gitte Mors Burgaard with Moselunds Dominic. Good flow all the way, with highlight of the canter tour.

Moselunds Dominic / Gitte Mors Burgaard DEN - solid trot tour, lacking a bit more self carriage and expression, extensions becomes a bit running, good extended walk, canter tour highlight with well balanced pirouettes.

Placed combinations:

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