This years field for the Louisdor Preis final was ready today for the preliminary “warm-up” Intermediaire II class.
As co-commentator at Clipmyhorse was Reitmeister Hubertus Schmidt with a lot of great comments during the class, sharing his experiences and thoughts about each combination.
Hubertus Schmidt was also qualified with the 9-year-old stallion Bonamour by Bonifatius / Rousseau. Bonamour has recently been sold to Helgstrand Dressage, and Andreas is very excited about the young stallion. “It is a complete horse in all ways, three super gaits, great talent, and super work ethic,” tells Andreas Helgstrand. For now the plan is, that Andreas himself will show Bonamour for a big national event in January (Esbjerg) in Denmark, and then there is a mark in the calendar for their international debut together. The Olympic dream is still very much alive.
Ferdinand BB favourite for the 2019 title
This time Jessica von Bredow-Werndl brings the 10-year old gelding Ferdinand BB by Florencio / Lanciano. Already last year Ferdinand was qualified for the final, but at that time Jessica did not want to show him for the final. It is pure nice riding and top timing bring them comfortable in the winner position today and for sure also favourites for Sunday´s final.
Both the ultra modern mare Soiree d´Amour OLD and the stallion Fiderdance showed great tests, but the overall picture does not look as if they can beat Ferdinand BB with Jessica in the final.
Keep an eye on
Aperol by Ampere / Aljano with Emma Kaverva just showing one weakness today - the walk tour. Looked as if he was a bit affected by the impressive arena, but a horse with super expressive, lovely power and balance, and beautiful changes together with high quality pirouettes. Piaffe and passage also with exciting qualities for the future.
Dorothee Schneider brought two Quaterback sons, and especially the Quaterback / Raphael, Mister-C caught H2R attention as he is very spectacular but at the same time he also looks very green. Can’t wait to see this combination in the future.
Unfortunately the Danish bred gelding L´Arbuste OLD by Skovens Rafael / Zardin Firfod, bred by Morten Plenborg and ridden by Senta Kirchhoff had to retire. The huge and impressive arena became kind of overwhelming and he lost the confidence and focus.
Ferdinand BB - nice halt, nice diagonal, nice flow for half passes, active passage, good piaffe, nice transitions, small canter for diagonal, stepping bit on himself hind for 2nd piaffe, nice passage, superb extended walk, good collected walk, super extended canter, nice sit and balance 1st pirouette, bit small 2 times, super control 2nd pirouette, nice 1 times better through from hind, super passage, nice into active piaffe and good out again.
Soiree d´Amour OLD - bit unbalanced diagonal, lovely easy half passes, nice expressive passage, good piaffe, lost bit the passage for the turn, diagonal bit tense, super passage, nice piaffe, good walk tour tiny tensions, nice half pass, lack bit more sit for pirouette, tension hind for 2 times, better balance for 2nd pirouette, nice 1 times better through from hind, bit on / off moments for the final passage tour.
Fiderdance - nice start, good diagonal, smooth half passes uphill, passage need bit more push, nice piaffe steps, need more expression for passage, easy piaffe, good walk tour, nice extended canter, super nice small 1st pirouette, lovely smooth 2 times, nice canter half pass, superb control 2nd pirouette, good 1 times, nice active piaffe at centerline.
