VIDEOS - Glamourdale and Lottie Fry back in great form with double win in Aachen

Glamourdale & Charlotte Fry - photo: H2R

Glamourdale back in super form

Soon the final preparations towards the Olympics comes up and with a long competition break for World Champion combination Glamourdale & Lottie Fry it was an important event in Aachen now.

Glamourdale and Lottie has not shown since last years Europeans where they won individual silver in freestyle.

Both performances in Aachen with top qualities with just a few minor things to be adjusted. A very clear picture of their strength towards Paris.

Rigth now the British team for Paris look like Imhotep, Fame and Glamourdale.

78,935% Grand Prix ⬇️

80,447% Grand Prix Special ⬇️

Detailed results Grand Prix here.

Detailed results Grand Prix Special here.

PODCAST - Two hearts one soul

Maxima Bella & Sandra Sysojeva - photo: H2R

The story about the young super mare Maxima Bella and her rider and owner Sandra Sysojeva

During Horses & Dreams 2024 in Hagen H2R caught international rider Sandra Sysojeva for a chat about her super mare Maxima Bella. Sandra is from Lithuania where she also is based, but competing for Poland.

Sandra and her just 8 year old Maxima Bella entered the international Grand Prix scene back in February.

A few of the quotes from Sandra during our chat:

You can get a good horse one time in your life usually you don’t get it, I’m lucky that I bought it.

The riding comes more from thinking, if somebody ask how I taught piaffe and passage, it just came.

When you train alone sometimes it can be that you ride to much, I always have this rule, every time do it like once, maximum repeat it because you can really enjoy the passage and piaffe.

At 6 years she was so hot, how would I do a flying change. I will never do flying changes. I started with normal single flying changes. I sent her (Dominika) a video after two weeks she was doing one by one.

Here below you can listen to our chat where we also were joined by Dominika Krasko (friend/groom/trainer etc.)

Huge line up for Danish national championships including Mount St John Freestyle & Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour

Danish national Championships next weekend with Grand Prix Saturday afternoon and Grand Prix freestyle Sunday afternoon.

A total of 28 combinations are ready and with MSJ Freestyle and Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour as top favourites for the title. Cathrine also bring Vividus QRE for the championships.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen brings the young mare Shirley for the Championships as Vayron with his recent top performances at Compiègne already has proven that his form curve is on the rise.

Recent top placed at Compiègne Heiline’s Danciera and Carina Cassøe Krüth are also at the list.

Neither Nanna Merrald and Anna Kasprzak are on the list. Nanna will be at start the following weekend in Hagen together with Blue Hors Zepter.

Entries

Paris Hopefuls Descend on Hagen in June

PART OF PRESS RELEASE

Press release, 17 May 2024

(Hagen a.T.W.) For the second time this year Hof Kasselmann in Hagen at the Teutoburg Forest will become the focus of the international dressage world: From 6 to 9 June riders vying for selection for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will have the opportunity to contest a CDI and CPEDI at three-star level. Much is at stake this close to Paris and while Germany’s elite will be at the national championship event in Balve, athletes from 24 other countries will take the opportunity to show their form and fitness in Hagen.

High-profile entries

The line up for the CDI3* tour, which includes a Grand Prix Special and a Freestyle, features the seven athletes and eight horses, which have been selected to the US dressage team Olympic short list for continued observation ahead of Olympic team selection later this summer. Anna Buffini on Fontini, Adrienne Lyle with Lars van de Hoenderheide and Helix, Anna Marek and Fire Fly, Katherine Bateson-Chandler with Haute Couture, Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, Marcus Orlob and Jane as well as Endel Ots on Bohemian all plan to use Hagen as one of three required observation events. Other high-profile combinations on the entry list include Danish super star Nanna Skodborg-Merrald, who has entered both Blue Hors Zepter and Blue Hors Znickers. The former hasn’t been seen since his second placing in the CDI5* of Stockholm in December 2023, but would have to be considered Nanna’s number one hope for Paris after piaffing to silver in the Grand Prix Special at the 2023 Europeans. Sweden is represented by team stalwart Patrik Kittel with new ride Jovian, Juliette Ramel on Gideon K.H., Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén with Esperance or Hyatt, Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson on Zackson as well as emerging pair Sofie Lexner and Inoraline W, who put their names on the map at Horses & Dreams meets Portugal at the same venue in April. Australia’s Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe and Lyndal Oatley with Dante’s Herzchen continue their campaign for Paris, as are Portugal’s top riders, Maria Pais do Amaral, João Pedro Moreira and Antonio do Vale. Finland has also qualified a team for Paris, the first time since Seoul in 1988, and with six Finnish athletes riding in Hagen, the competition for team selection will be hot. 

To emulate Championship atmosphere the dressage arena will be set up in the jumping stadium at Hof Kasselmann. The dressage program also features a small tour and an international U25 tour.

Jumping stadium at Hof Kasselmann © Mhisen

KWPN ready with long list for WCYH in Ermelo

Nalegro & Lottie Fry ready for first selection for WCYH - photo: Van Olst Horses

First selection of Dutch Young horses for World Championships in Ermelo (4-8 September) took place 13 & 15 May in Houten.

About 100 young horses were shown for the first selection and 21 five-year old, 21 six-year old and 16 seven-year old horses were selected.

2nd selection will take place 11 & 12 in Ermelo and with final selection 16 July.

Source: KWPN

5 year old

6 year old

7 year old

99.500 euro top price OLD filly by Viva Gold / Millennium

Bidding duel between Germany and Belgium for the extraordinary filly by Viva Gold / Millennium. The filly was secured for the German buyer.

Out the 13 dressage foals 1 was sold to Sweden and 1 was sold to The Netherlands, rest for German buyers.

This was a great premier for OLD Verband in association with the Online auction platform Horse24.

Here you find the entire list of prices.

Press release: Olympian Charlotte Dujardin secures clean sweep of Grand Prix wins at Hickstead

Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin competing at Hickstead (c) Boots and Hooves Photography

12 May 2024

Press release

Charlotte Dujardin completes clean sweep of Grand Prix wins 

Charlotte Dujardin rounded off an excellent week at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead, winning a third Grand Prix title.

The World number five brought her Grand Prix victor Imhotep back for Sunday’s I.C.E Horseboxes CDI3* Grand Prix Special, where she once again topped the leaderboard with 81.362%. Her mentor and team-mate Carl Hester and Fame were second with 78.660%.

“I’ve had a fantastic week with both my horses, finishing off the show with the Special with Imhotep, and I felt like he did one of his best tests that I’ve done,” said Charlotte.

The 11-year-old Imhotep picked up nines and tens for his piaffe and passage work, as well as his pirouettes and final halt. “There was a rider error in the ones [one-time changes] but apart from that I was absolutely thrilled. It’s great preparation to make these mistakes here and hopefully get them all out of the way. Each time you do a test you feel like you’ve learned something. By Paris, hopefully there’ll be no more mistakes.”

At last year’s European Championships, Charlotte and Imhotep were part of the gold medal-winning team as well as picking up two individual bronze medals. Their impressive Hickstead performance this week will have no doubt helped their selection campaign ahead of this summer’s Paris Games, when Charlotte could go ahead of cyclist Dame Laura Kenny as the British female athlete to have won the most Olympic medals.

Imhotep is the more likely contender for the Games, but in her Freestyle winner Alive And Kicking Charlotte has another potential championship horse in the making. “With Paris in mind, it’s something we’re really focusing on, we’re really busy trying to get everything in tip top shape,” she said. “They’re very different horses. Pete is like being on a spring, he’s extremely bouncy and very powerful, and he’s quite big and wide to ride. Whereas Audrey [Alive And Kicking] is smaller, much neater, and a totally different mover to Pete.”

It was Charlotte's first time competing at Hickstead since the birth of her daughter Isabella in 2023. “It has definitely put a perspective on my career. Before having Isabella, this [riding] was my life, and I was so focused on doing this all the time, whereas now being a mum has made me realise what’s important. Being a mum is the best thing in the whole world, she’s my number one priority. Going out there to compete is all about going out there to make her proud, so it’s fantastic that she can come and watch me here and be a part of it.”  

For full results click here. 

PIDGLEY DOES THE DOUBLE ON FINAL DAY

The European Young Rider gold medallist won two classes on the final day of the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival

PRESS RELEASE - HICKSTEAD PRESS OFFICE 12 MAY

Twenty-year-old British rider Annabella Pidgley had a successful end to the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival, with a double of wins on the final day.

The European Young Rider gold medallist headed the I.C.E Horseboxes CDI U25 Grand Prix with the 12-year-old Vamos Amigos on a score of 74.974%, then later added an Intermediate I with Espe, scoring 72.402%. “It’s been a great day – the amazing weather here has topped it off. I’ve done three tests today and it’s been challenging, but to have the results I’ve had today has been incredible,” she said.

Annabella also finished second behind Olympian Laura Tomlinson in the Saracen Horse Feeds Premier League FEI Intermediate I. Riding the nine-year-old stallion Kadans, she scored 73.088% behind Laura and Full Moon II, with 75.441%.

It was a second win in two days for the pair, as Laura and Full Moon II also topped Saturday’s Fairfax Saddles Premier League FEI Prix St Georges.

Tomlinson also took the top spot in the I.C.E Horseboxes Premier League FEI Grand Prix Special with Soegaards Bon Royal, a 10-year-old gelding by Bon Bravour. They were the only pair to break the 70% barrier, scoring 72.532% to go ahead of Andrew Gould and Amicella.  

After his one-two finish in Saturday’s Team test, Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit picked up another win in the I.C.E Horseboxes CDI Junior Riders Individual test, ahead of Mette Dahl (Fidelio van het Bloemenhof) in second and Ruby Hughes in third with Brioso.

Laragh Byrne and the eye-catching palomino stallion Steendieks Dali Gold took the CDI Ponies title for Ireland, finishing less than 0.3 percent clear of Britian’s Madi May Haerr and Machno Excalibur.

The finish in the Fairfax Saddles Premier League FEI Prix St Georges was even closer, with Anders Dahl taking the narrowest of victories with Kokkedals Herzog. His score of 68.971 was just enough for the top spot, with yesterday’s winner Lara Butler and Amiek C in second on 68.931%.

Dannie Morgan and the nine-year-old High Hoes Razzle Dazzle took the Bret Wilson Premier League Advanced Medium 98 with a score of 70.351%.

For full results click here. 

Danish bred Maxi Kraft’s Barcelo & Dorothee Schneider winner of preliminary St. Georg Special in Munich today

Barcelo & Dorothee Schneider - photo: screenshot Clipmyhorse

8 yr old Maxi Kraft´s Barcelo OLD by Bon Coeur / Caprimond bred by Stutteri Atterupgaard and ridden by Dorothee Schneider took today´s preliminary St. Georg Special victory with 74,536%, 2,5% ahead of 2nd placed Victoria Nielsen with Prinzessin Paula.

Super well balanced trot tour with lots of suppleness for both half passes and extensions, super into walk at A direct for a big supple extended walk tour only rewarded with a 9 from judge at E German Evi Eisenhardt, while the other 4 judges saw the extension for 8,5 - 7,5 - 8,0 - 7,5. Tiny unbalance for the rhythm at the begin of the collected walk tour. Very good canter tour with 2nd half pirouette as clear highlight, super balance and sit, good series where your not in doubt about the natural go and power but well managed from Dorothee. Nice halt with supple rein back and super extension towards the final halt.

They definitely look like a strong card for the final. The 12 best combinations from today are ready for the qualifier for the final tomorrow where only the winner will qualify and at the end of the 8 qualifiers the 4 combinations with the best scores for the 2nd placements will qualify for the final.

Barcelo is out of one of the most successful dam lines in Denmark

A total of 5 approved stallions comes from this dam line. Barcelo himself is no longer stallion.

Here you find all informations about the dam line.

Most recent is the 4 yr old Danish Warmblood and OLD approved stallion Atterupgaards Bernachi by Bon Courage. Video clip from presentation at Stutteri Atterupgaard.

ALIVE AND KICKING STEPS UP TO THE MARK IN FREESTYLE DEBUT

Charlotte Dujardin's rising star impressed in today's Horse & Country CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music

PRESS RELEASE - HICKSTEAD PRESS OFFICE 11 MAY

Charlotte Dujardin’s rising star Alive And Kicking was impressive on her Grand Prix Freestyle international debut, scoring 82.350% to take the win in emphatic fashion on the penultimate day of the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival.

The 10-year-old mare had only made two international appearances before this week’s CDI at Hickstead, winning both the Grand Prix and Special in Lier in March and in Hagen in April. After finishing runner-up to Charlotte’s top horse Imhotep in yesterday’s Grand Prix, Alive And Kicking (known as Audrey) returned to her winning ways in the Horse & Country CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, with a confident routine that belied her relative lack of experience.

“That was the first time I've ever ridden it [the freestyle routine], and I think she's only ever done one other Freestyle, which was at Prix St Georges, so Audrey had a big ask tonight and I feel she did a very good job,” said Charlotte, who rode to a soundtrack based on music from the film Frozen.

In runner-up spot was Singapore's Caroline Chew on Blue Hors Zatchmo (74.940%), with Britain's Andrew Gould in third with Genie. 

Having lost out in Friday’s CDI Grand Prix to his protegee Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester was back on top in the LeMieux Premier League Grand Prix. Riding the 15-year-old En Vogue, Carl scored 75.304% to retain the title they won here 12 months ago.

Asked how En Vogue compares to Carl’s other Grand Prix ride Fame, he said: “They’re actually quite similar personalities and temperament, they are both a little bit quirky and can quickly change from very relaxed to very hot. But they’re beautiful horses to ride, and when they go well I feel like I am probably doing some of the best dressage I’ve ever done, they just suit my personality.”

Carl and Charlotte’s London 2012 Olympic teammate Laura Tomlinson enjoyed her competitive highlight of the year so far, winning the Fairfax Saddles Premier League FEI Prix St Georges with Full Moon II. She also came third with second ride Forest Hill, with Sarah Millis and Le Zorro taking the runner-up spot.

“I was first to go with that horse at 8 o'clock this morning, so it's been a long day waiting to see how the results panned out,” said Laura. “I was really pleased with him, he felt settled in the arena, switched on, and just a lovely ride. I'm in the Intermediate I tomorrow. So hopefully we can carry forwards with a little bit of confidence.”

Laura’s stable jockey Lara Butler was also top of the podium today, with her victory coming in the Saracen Horse Feeds Premier League Intermediate I. Riding the 14-year-old Amiek C, the pair scored 75.343% to finish more than two percent clear of Michael Eilberg and MSJ Encore in second. “The temperature was getting very warm today, but he coped very well with the heat and with the atmosphere,” said Lara of the bay gelding by Ampere.

This morning also saw some young talents in the sport compete in the CDI 1* classes. Myles Graham enjoyed a one-two in the I.C.E Horseboxes CDI Junior Riders Team test, winning with Nibeley Union Hit(72.000%) and finishing second with Nibeley Black Pearl (70.363%). The Young Riders' title went to India Durman-Mills and Escade, with a score of 70.588%, while Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac took the CDI Ponies test with 69.857%. In the Children on Horses, Ella-Grace Dovey finished top of the leaderboard with a score of 75.450% on her 11-year-old gelding, Sheepcote Jackson.

Annabella Pidgeley secured her second win of the show, taking top spot in the I.C.E Horseboxes CDI U25 Intermediate II with Vamos Amigos. "He gave me one of the best feelings he has ever given, especially through our piaffe and passage tour," she said. 

For full results click here.

CARL COMES CLOSE TO THE PERFECT SCORE WITH SUPERSTAR QUINN G

Carl Hester dug out his short coat for the first time in years to ride an extraordinary six-year-old  

PRESS RELEASE 11 MAY - HICKSTEAD PRESS OFFICE

Carl Hester has enjoyed an excellent week at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival, picking up a win in the Premier League Grand Prix with En Vogue as well as finishing runner-up in the CDI 3* Grand Prix Special with Fame. Yet it was a stand-out performance in the KBIS British Dressage Young Horse classes that Carl pinpointed as his highlight of the show.

Riding Fiona Bigwood’s mare Quinn G, Carl took the 6yo Commanded Route title with an impressive score of 98.4% - getting perfect 10s from the judges for her walk, canter and general impression.

“I'm just a pilot on a very special horse, she is quite something. I've never had a score of 98.4 in my life,” said the six-time Olympian. “It's the sort of score you can die quite happy after. If I had to retire tomorrow, at least that's on my CV.”

The Danish warmblood Quinn M (Quaterhit x Fassbinder) was sold to Great Britain last year, after picking up the gold medal at the World Championships for Young Horses as a five-year-old. “After the World Championships I think a lot of people knew she was going to be a star, but let's hope she just keeps developing and moves forward really successfully,” Carl added.

Asked what made her special, he said: “She has this amazing walk, trot and canter, she's like a panther, and she's such a clever, intelligent soul. But she takes some riding because she's so big and such a big mover. How blessed to get to ride a horse like that, they don't come along very often. I really feel like she's a creature from heaven.”

Hester rarely competes below Grand Prix level, so he had to dig out his short dressage coat for the first time since his London 2012 ride Uthopia was competing in young horse classes. After their record score in Friday’s competition, Carl had to get to grips with the test for Saturday’s I.C.E. Horseboxes British Dressage International Young Horse class, which they duly won with a score of 97.0. “Fiona told me this morning that she couldn’t read the test to me, that I needed to learn it – and my brain is not as good as it used to be! That’s all I was worrying about as I was riding round, that I wouldn't know where I'm going. I learned it in five minutes. But it's fun to do something different."

While it was Carl’s protégée Charlotte Dujardin who produced a clean sweep in the CDI Grand Prix classes at the show, Carl also produced two superb tests with his European team gold medallist Fame to finish third in the Grand Prix and second in the Grand Prix Special. “We are rivals but I’ll happily accept that she’s better than me!” Carl said. “I love watching her ride and I thought Imhotep did one of the best Grand Prix tests that he’s ever done in terms of relaxation, contact and his frame, he just keeps getting better and better.”

DUJARDIN STEALS THE SHOW IN THE GRAND PRIX

The Olympic, World and European gold medallist proved unbeatable at today's I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival 

PRESS RELEASE 10 MAY - HICKSTEAD PRESS OFFICE

Charlotte Dujardin was on dominant form at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead, with a one-two finish in today’s feature class.

Riding her European Championships partner Imhotep, Charlotte took an impressive early lead in The Swan Inn, Fittleworth CDI3* Grand Prix, with a score of 80.870%. Carl Hester and last year’s Hickstead Grand Prix winner Fame went into second place with 76.239%, until Charlotte and her second ride Alive And Kicking sneaked ahead with 77.370%, relegating Carl to third.  

“I’ve had a great two rides, with Imhotep getting back on track with his 80 [percent] and a clear round,” said Charlotte. “Alive And Kicking has only done four Grands Prix so she’s very inexperienced but I’m really happy.”

Asked how it felt to finish ahead of her friend and mentor, Charlotte commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Carl so it’s great to have him here by my side, but it’s brilliant to beat him on both my horses, I’m not going to lie!”

Carl added: "At this moment we're all desperately trying to do the best we can and get good scores with Paris coming up. It's been a wonderful day - to have weather like this and rides like this, it's what dreams are made of." 

Earlier, Charlotte’s pupil Annabella Pidgley scored a win in the opening international class of the show, the Horse & Country CDI1* Prix St Georges. Riding the 10-year-old mare Espe, Annabella scored 72.706% to take the win. “It’s great to be back at Hickstead, the atmosphere here today in the sunshine is just amazing, and Espe was super and I’m really pleased with her,” said Annabella.

In the Horse & Country CDI Young Riders test, Hermione Tottman topped the leader board with the 16-year-old gelding, Exquisite on a score of 69.941%. “I was really happy with him, he gave me a great feeling in the arena. I want to keep on improving this year, and keep gaining experience,” said Hermione, whose next goal is to break the elusive 70% barrier.

In the Premier League tests, Michael Eilberg had a successful day, winning the Fairfax Saddles FEI Prix St Georges with MSJ Encore, and then having a one-two finish in the Stübben Premier League FEI Intermediate II with Dante VX and Figlio.

Matt Frost was the winner of the Bret Wilson Premier League Advanced Medium test, with the eight-year-old Lemmo. Their score of 72.393% put them nearly two percent clear of the second placed combination, Jezz Palmer and Romanno Weltino.

For full results click here.

FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 - Calendar Update

EI Press Release
Lausanne (SUI), 08 May 2024

FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 - Calendar Update 

Following the FEI’s previous announcement regarding the withdrawal of Rotterdam (NED) and Falsterbo (SWE) competitions from the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 calendar, the FEI can confirm that both Organising Committees have requested to revert to the original plan of hosting a leg of the series. This decision comes after both Organising Committees have communicated to the FEI their inability to accommodate a regular CDIO scheduling format this year.
 
The FEI has supported this request, facilitating the reinstatement of the CDIO-NC at both venues for 2024. As previously communicated, all stakeholders will meet following the conclusion of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 and review the series for the coming year.
 
After the withdrawal of team Spain, the Organising Committee for the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ qualifier in Pilisjászfalu (HUN) has informed the FEI that they will not be hosting the event this weekend - 8 to 12 May 2024 - and will therefore be withdrawing from the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 calendar.  

The dates of the remaining legs of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 are:

• Rotterdam (NED) - 20 to 23 June 2024

• Falsterbo (SWE) – 11 to 14 July 2024

  

Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen were shopping at yesterday´s Aloga Auction

With 2nd highest price among the dressage horses Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen (LDZ Equestrian) secured th very attractive 5 yr old gelding Fuego by Follow Him´s Schönweide X Silbersmied at yesterday´s Aloga Auction for 270.000 euro.

12 selected dressage horses were sold at the auction last night and top price went to 4 yr old stallion by Everdale x Decamerone sold for 300.000 euro.

Back in 2021 the international jumping brothers Bertram and Harry Allen together with Maxi Lill held their first auction, and 2024 was first time with a dressage auction with Sönke Rothenberger and Maurice Tebbel in front. 2024 edition of the jumping sale was with no less than three horses sold for over 1,0 mio euro.

Here you find all prices from the auction.

HANN foal auction bidup starts tonight at 7.30 pm

15 dressage foals are at the 31st Online HANN auction with 9 colts and 6 fillies.

Current top prices:

From H2R no 32 Eliana by Escanto PS / San Amour shows some really nice qualities for the future. Well balanced uphill not moving on speed with good shoulder freedom for all three paces.

And among the colts no 35 Dark Passon II by Despacito / Millennium is with look and power too.

H2R will also keep an eye on 36 Foundation / Lissaro, 39 Most wanteed Nero von Bellin / Dancier and 44 Sezuan´s Donnerhall / Don Crusador.

Here you find the entire collection.

Victory for Sweden's Patrick Kittel ahead of a French duo

PART OF PRESS RELEASE

Sweden's Patrick Kittel, riding Jovian, won the PKM Logistique Freestyle Grand Prix, the grand finale of Compiègne’s  Internationaux de dressage. Alongside him on the podium, Pauline Basquin (Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE) and Corentin Pottier (Gotilas du Feuillard) who put in a historic performance for France. The packed stands at the Grand Parc equestrian stadium enjoyed the show! 

Patrik Kittel & Jovian, winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle PKM Logistique

A familiar picture. One of Compiègne's most loyal competitors, the Swede Patrick Kittel putting his arms around the neck of his horse at the end of his freestyle programme at Compiègne’s Internationaux de dressage. Already on the top step of the podium in 2021 and winner of the Nations Cup on several occasions with his country, the World n° 6 again dominated on Sunday in the PKM Logistique Freestyle Grand Prix. He succeeded Britain's Charlotte Fry, the reigning World champion, winner here last year with Everdale. The 47-year-old rider, who finished second in the last two editions of the competition (with Touchdown), was the penultimate rider to start with Jovian, his ten-year-old KWPN stallion. He took the lead with a score of 80.690%, thanks in particular to a beautiful extended trot and good final overall scores. "I'm really very, very happy to win again at Compiègne," declared the overjoyed winner of the World Cup final with Touchdown in April. ‘’My horse is really great. I haven't been riding him for long, and this is only our third international event. I'm trying to find the right routine. There are still a few things to work on, but I'm very pleased. I've often come to Compiègne and I've been lucky enough to win a lot of classes with very different horses. It really is my favourite competition and has a very special atmosphere. The big increase of strength in French dressage seems to give this event even more scope and enthusiasm. I'm delighted!"

France, already third in the FEI Nations Cup on Saturday, could indeed rejoice with their weekend. By just four tenths, the Swede was ahead of Pauline Basquin with Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, a 14-year-old gelding who has become the pillar of the French team. With a score of 80.290%, the rider from the Cadre Noir de Saumur broke the symbolic 80% barrier for the third time. ‘’I would have signed up for this result straight away, even though I'm not far from victory," confided the rider from Saumur. ‘’I'm delighted with the horse, he's very brave and gave it his all even though he was tired. He was carried by the public. I’m really proud of him. The work on his canter over the winter is starting to pay off. He was more relaxed today. That's a real positive for the future. I'm over the 80 mark again and that's encouraging for the future. It gives you motivation and confidence. It's a lovely reward for everyone, the people who follow me in Saumur, the staff who put their heart and soul into it, and the French team. We'll have a good week's rest before leaving again for Le Mans, which will also be used to prepare for Rotterdam.’’

To have a French rider on the podium of a CDI5* is rare. To have two is exceptional, even historic. Invited at the last-minute following Morgan Barbançon's withdrawal, Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard achieved the feat of climbing onto the third step of the podium. ‘’It's crazy," he exclaimed. ‘’I should never have even been here, and the weekend ends with a podium for the team and one for me in the Freestyle. It's completely unexpected. Especially with the field that was here. I'd said to myself that a fifth place would already be very good. It wasn't the easiest test I've ridden. The horse was a bit hot. But we've done so many competitions together now that we've come to understand each other. It was hard for him, but he went for it. I'm really proud of him. The collective result is also wonderful. We all work very hard. It's the result of two or three long years of trying to improve things little by little.’’

With two couples on the podium, France had an excellent competition and above all a very promising one ahead of the Olympics. ‘’Things are progressing well," explained Jean Morel as he watched his two riders complete their laps of honour. ‘’We're obviously pleased. We were hoping for a podium finish this season, we didn't know where we'd get it and we’ve achieved it at Compiègne. Now we've got to go and get some more. We've worked hard and it's paying off. But we mustn't get carried away. It's good, we're climbing slowly and people are talking about us. They all rode well and did what was asked of them. Now we're going to go to Le Mans, we're also bringing out other horses elsewhere. You must analyse the competitions one by one. For the moment, we're not yet in the Games, even though they’re approaching. I'm also pleased to have had the riders for a fortnight. It allows us to live together, the riders and the staff, and that's very important for me. Now we have to stay calm and be ready for the big day, not the day before, nor the day after."
 

CDI 5* Grand Prix Spécial Eurovia - Denmark's Daniel Bachmann Andersen convinces the judges

Winner of the Nations Cup, Denmark also came away with victory in the Eurovia Special Grand Prix. Riding his huge 13-year-old stallion Vayron, Daniel Bachmann Andersen (World n°14) gained the unanimous approval of the judges in the Eurovia Special Grand Prix. With a score of 75.915%, very close to his GPS record (76.149%), the rider put in a superb performance, scoring particularly high points for his extended trot and his passage sequences. At almost 34 years of age, the Dane, already second in Friday's Grand Prix, was obviously delighted with his performance and that of his horse, previously ridden by Germany's Helen Langehanenberg. ‘’He was fantastic," he enthused. ‘’I'm so proud of my horse. He has done two incredible tests. Today, he was a little more distracted and I had to be very careful to make sure he was with me. There are still a few details to sort out but I'm very confident because he's progressing very well. I'm also very happy to have come to Compiègne for the first time. The site is superb, the public numerous and enthusiastic. What's more, the food is good. I really hope to return!’’.  He finished ahead of  Great Britain's Becky Moody on Jagerbomb (74.298%) and Denmark's Carina Cassøe Krüth (World n°12) on Heiline's Danciera (73.745%).


A very positive conclusion

Heading the organisation since its very beginning, Monique Marini, chairwoman of the Compiègne Equestre Association, was very satisfied with how the event went. ‘’I'm delighted with this 2024 edition," she confided. ‘’Once again, the big dressage nations and riders have shown their loyalty to  Compiègne’s  Internationaux de dressage. It's great recognition for the work carried out by our entire team and for everything we've done over the last few years to provide ideal conditions for riders and horses. The French team's third place in the Nations Cup and the presence of two French riders on the podium of the PKM Logistique Grand Prix is also a great sporting achievement. This gives us great hope with just a few weeks to go before the Olympic Games. Finally, the stands were packed once again. We created this competition to make people enjoy dressage. This popular success is proof that we have succeeded in winning the loyalty of spectators and making them appreciate this wonderful sport. For all this, I'd like to thank all those who have made this rendezvous such a success for so many years. The organising team, all the private and institutional partners and all the volunteers. Without them, nothing would be possible.’'

Danish Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron finish a strong weekend at Compiegne with 75,915% victory in Grand Prix Special

Screenshot - Clipmyhorse

Vayron with huge development

H2R caught Daniel on his way home for a sum-up on Compiegne.

When bringing Vayron for competitions no matter where Daniel is always in the drivers seat himself, and Vayron is not travelling in a horsebox, but instead in his own special designed trailer, as he feels much more comfortable due to his size. It also gives an extra dimension of their partnership tells Daniel, as he get the chance to see Vayron in different situations like this time with the sleep over in Aachen both on the way to Compiegne and now home again.

“I felt well prepared for Compiegne and confident about our training and which parts we had to work on since our last outing at home soil in Herning in March.

For the sport part in Compiegne I´m really pleased about our performances, and our work from home has paid off exactly as planned. With me at the sideline for my preparation here in Compiegne were both Nathalie zu-Sayn Wittegenstein and Vivi Vang-Lauridsen, who makes a great team around me. The way I´m now able to ask during the test with easy and effortless respons makes me very happy. The feeling of performing without any technical issues, having Vayron 100% focused with very good scores and still room for improvement gives a special feeling. Exactly this positive feeling I will save in my “mental box” in order to be able to bring it back for our next show. The entire process about the mental part has been a great journey ,and still is, together with my personal mental coach Rasmus Bagger.

As Vayron is a very big boy my main goal has been building up more strength. No matter of the very bad Danish “spring” weather we have been spending a lot of time in the forrest building up his body. This kind of bodybuilding comes much more natural when doing it outside and not at our indoor arena. Of course I have training days at the indoor too, but for that I often focus on the “free” training such as riding the centerline, doing halts, extended walk and collected walk, exercises that pretty much comes for free, but still is a very important part of doing a test.

He is an easy stallion, he eats and sleep well away from home, an is also uncomplicated to handle when bringing him for competitions. When we arrive home tomorrow after another sleep over in Aachen, he will have an easy week with pure forrest hacking and field time.

This is such an incredible journey and I just enjoy every minute,” tells Daniel.

With an individual 2nd place in the Grand Prix and with today´s victory in Grand Prix Special and team victory together with Carina (placed 3rd both Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special) and Nanna (placed 4th in both Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle) the Danes has ones again put themselves into the headlines of the dressage sport.

According to the sport plan from Danish national federation last week in Hagen and this week in Compiegne were the first two official observations for selection of combinations for CHIO Aachen and CHIO Rotterdam toward Olympic selection.

Remember you can watch each test from the CDIO5 when clicking at the camera icon 🎥

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