A nearly perfect trot secured Valerie B (Revolution x Blue Hors Zack) and Danish rider Anne-Mette Strandby the win in the Anemone Horsetrucks qualification for five-year-old horses during the first day of the Longines FEI/WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Boasting a powerful canter, Skyline to B (Blue Hors St. Schufro x Ampère) and his rider Carl Hedin slotted in second place, followed by another Danish mare: Quinn G. (Quaterhit x Fassbinder) and Betina Jaeger and Beck’s (Benicio x Desperados) ridden by Thomas Schulze.
“This horse gave me goosebumps”, states chairman of the jury Susanne Baarup about Valerie B. “It is quite emotional to judge a horse like that, she has no weaknesses. Absolutely a horse for the future.” The five-year-old mare bred by Karin and Peer Guldbrandsen and owned by Helgstrand Dressage A/S, was awarded two 9.7s on her score sheet. Besides the trot, this DWB Mare of the Year 2021, also obtained that top mark for perspective, bringing the total to 9.48 points. “The entire top 10 we have seen today, are future stars of high quality. It’s the small details that make the difference in the ranking.”
“She is perfect”
Anne Mette Strandby utters nothing but praise when she talks about her performance with Valerie. “It felt amazing! In the warming-up she was a little bit nervous about the umbrellas and the rain. It surprised me, since she is usually 200% cool. As soon as she entered the arena, she was perfect.” The Danish rider confidently looks forward to the rest of the event. “Her best qualities? Everything. She possesses three amazing gaits and a super heart. I am super happy with our debut!”
Extraordinary canter
The Swedish stallion Skyline to B, bred by Maria Rasmussen and owned by Eques Management Ab, obtained a superb 8.96-point total, partially thanks to the 9.5 for his canter. The DWB champion of five-year-old horses Quinn G, also owned by Helgstrand Dressage A/S and bred by Stutteri G, was awarded a 9 for his powerful canter. The final score of the Quaterhit-offspring came down to 8.82 points, thereby sharing the third position with the Hanoverian stallion Beck’s (Benicio x Desperados) and rider Thomas Schulze. The Danish mare and German stallion obtained similar marks, only noting a difference in the canter and trot.
Picture: Timo Martis
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