USA, The Netherlands and Sweden was the final team top 3 after today´s Grand Prix in Rotterdam.
The weather became a bit of a challange during the test today, as a thunder storm was heading towards Rotterdam, and for German Anabel Balkenhol with Dablino the heavy wind affected their test in the way that the fence around the arena just tipped over short after they started their test. Therefore judge at C, Danish H.C. Matthiesen jumped out and stoppede Anabel, so that the fence could be replaced and she could start over her test again.
Later on after the press conference the entire press center were evacuated due to the weather situation and electricity also went out.
Outstanding performance from Verdades and Graves
Outstanding with a super nice and expressive performance from Verdades and Laura Graves today. Light and easy all the way eventhough you might want to have a slightly different picture of the piaffe in the way that the picture could be a bit more closed and bit more relaxed, but easy transitions and clear rhythm all the way. Nice frame and light contact and for Verdades the weather did not seem to affect him at all. Judging panel totally agreed with Verdades and Graves in top of today´s Grand Prix.
Verdades and Laura Graves - photo credit: www.koengomes.nl
Dante Weltino and Nilshagen showing their qualities again today
Dante Weltino and Swedish Therese Nilshagen did ones again show their strength. Lovely easy picture for the trot tour, good walk and lots of potential and good qualities for the canter work, which still lacking a bit more clear uphill tendency all the way, but what an ability this stallion has for doing the most difficult exercises with top strength and balance. The suppleness and easy light picture is the way we love dressage ano 2017.
Dante Weltino and Therese Nilshagen - photo credit: www.koengomes.nl
Danish Warmblood showing super qualities
Lonoir and American Olivia Lagoy-Weltz are not just interesting with Danish Warmblood eyes but also from their lovely performance today. Lonoir is a 13 yr old gelding by De Noir / Loran (Rassing´s Lonoir - bred by Jan and Dorte Rassing).
Easy light and strong performance in very nice harmony between horse and rider. A new and very exciting international combination without any exercise weaknesses and lots of highlights.
Common for all 3 combinations - light easy and effortless performances.
Lonoir and Olivia Lagoy-Weltz - photo credit: www.koengomes.nl
Legolas not fit
Today Legolas was at start with Dawn White-O´Connor (long time assistent trainer for Steffen Peters). Dawn took over Legolas the ride back in January 2017 from Peters. It was their first apperance at the European scene. And from the first extended trot the rhythm was not clearly balanced (as often seen before under Steffen Peters), and when Dawn is going at the diagonal towards the first passage, judge (and veterinarian) at C, Danish H.C. Matthiesen rings the bell = elimination from the competition.
In many ways very sad for Dawn, but (finally) the correct decision both seen from judge at C and seen from the "side line".