High level from the start
Only the 15 best competitions from today's Grand Prix were qualified for the freestyle. And among the 15, all 3 Danish combinations with Dufour in the lead, Daniel Bachmann and Blue Hors Zack as no. 9 with 72% and Anders Dahl and Selten HW as no. 11 with 71,780%.
Zack and Daniel were first Danes in the arena. The pair delivered a very good performance with a final score of 72%. Super nice trot half passes with lots of expression, self carriage and uphill. Good expression in the passage and some careful piaffe tours, but with good timing and no mistakes. Good series and good pirouettes. The last center line turns a bit "awkward", and here Daniel tells after his ride that Zack seems to misunderstand him a little. Naturally, the buttons are not yet really sharp, as it takes some "miles" to get the routine together for the demanding Grand Prix test.
Anders Dahl and Selten HW were back for the first time at the international stage in 2017. And the couple certainly did not use the break just to rest in. Beautiful trot tour, lots of power and expression, nice rhythm and balance for half passes. Good halt with rein back. The passage is good, but becomes momentarily a little slow with a few uneven steps. The piaffe is with a nice angle and it is clear that both strength and security have been significantly improved since last year. Both series without error and two super beautiful pirouettes with good activity. The last center line goes well towards the piaffe, but then the Selten stops, but Anders catches him quickly and shows the piaffe. Here Anders tells after the test, that he must admit that he became a bit too passive himself and should instead have "helped" Selten al the way to the final halt.
Spanish Severo Jurado Lopez and Deep Impact were sharp from the start. Power and nice expression throughout the trot tour. Good walk. A little forward piaffe tours, expressive passage and good transitions. Faultless canter tour, but the transition to canter from passage becomes a little late. Super nice pirouettes. The transition from canter to collected trot also becomes a little late. Great final to the middle. The couple ends as number 4 with 73,800%.
Anabel Balkenhol has a new top horse with the 10-year-old Trakehner stallion Heuberger. The pair ends after a convincing and effortless test with 75,380% and a second place after Cassidy and Dufour.
Fabienne Lütkemeier and her very routined D'Agostino which is always shown fit and top motivated, even though he is now among the age's presidents with his 17 years. Rank No. 3 with 74,220%.
See the results af of the class here.