Werth finishes top fo League table with last leg win at s´Hertogenbosch

German dressage legend, Isabell Werth, posted her second victory of the season at the eleventh and last leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today.

Taking maximum points with Emilio on home ground in Stuttgart last November, she did it again when the pair were runners-up to compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl in Basel in January because the 2023 series champion was not entitled to qualifying points at the Swiss fixture. 

Today Werth topped up her points tally to a total of 77 when, partnering the 14-year-old stallion DSP Quantaz, she pinned reigning world champion, Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry into runner-up spot. 

The German star completes the Western European League at the top of the leaderboard from which nine athletes will qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next month. Third place went to The Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens and Indian Rock who won the ninth leg in Neumünster, Germany last month and the French duo of Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE finished fourth.

Holding the lead

The Kiwi partnership of Melissa Galloway and Windermere J’Obei W were holding the lead at the halfway stage on a score of 75.970 but were overtaken by the remaining seven of the 15 starters to finally slot into eighth at the end of the day.

First to go after the break, The Netherlands’ Marieke van der Putten and Torveslettens Titanium RS2 NOP raised the game when putting 77.405 on the board only to be ever-so-fractionally overtaken by the French partnership of Morgan Barbançon and Sir Donnerhall ll OLD who scored 77.410.

Belgium’s Flore de Winn and Flynn FRH have been enjoying a fantastic run of form and were racking up good scores until the black stallion suddenly seemed to take fright, losing concentration and lots of marks before recovering well enough to finish their Freestyle but in a disappointing last place in the final analysis. 

Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock followed with a lovely performance from the fabulous 12-year-old mare Florine OLD that earned the first over-80% score of the day - a total of 80.140 for the German pair. And Scholtens bettered that with a mark of 82.095 to raise the stakes even higher.

But the real clash was always going to come down to the next two into the ring, Fry with Everdale who posted wins at both round six in Mechelen, Belgium in December and round eight in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in January, and Werth and DSP Quantaz who pinned the British duo into runner-up spot in Thursday’s Grand Prix.

Fry was chasing a hat-trick of wins as she entered the arena, and putting 82.250 on the board she snatched the lead from Scholtens. But Werth and the 14-year-old gelding strutted their way to a mark of 85.250 which would settle the matter when Basquin and the elegant Sertorius, another pair enjoying a really exciting season, were awarded 80.550 for that fourth place.

Decision-time

It’s now decision-time for qualified riders ahead of the Final which takes place in Riyadh from 16 to 20 April. 

Werth has always intended to challenge for her sixth title, her first earned with Fabienne 32 years ago, in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1992. 

She has long been the doyenne of international dressage and her only decision is which horse to ride. Her first preference would be the 18-year-old Emilio -

"my dream is to go with Emilio and that he should have his last show there, he deserves it! But Quantaz is also qualified….so we will see!”

Isabell Werth GER

she said.

She enjoyed today’s victory, and the arena atmosphere created by the enthusiastic spectators. 

“They (the horses) grow immediately when they come in, but it’s great to see so many people and the crowd was so positive, supporting all the riders and combinations and nations so that makes it really exciting and I always enjoy coming to ’s-Hertogenbosch. It’s close to home and it’s exciting to see that each time there is something more. So many flowers, so many lovely details around, there is no other show like this and I thank Anky (van Grunsven) and the whole team for this because it makes this really extraordinary!”, Werth said.

She’s been competing at ’s-Hertogenbosch for a very long time and as she pointed out - “I remember this show when we were in the other arena, and when we arrived the cows left an hour before, so it’s a big difference now!" 

Electricity

Fry agreed about the electricity in the arena. “It’s always really exciting to ride in the World Cup shows, of course there’s a lot of excitement as you enter the ring and especially today as they were announcing Emmelie’s score - the public were kind of loving that! 

"Once we were over that bit I was really happy, he settled down and relaxed a lot faster than the last few shows and it really felt that we could show that he can relax in the ring".

Charlotte Fry GBR

"I try to make it look easy and we had a really great time, we had a few mistakes today but I’m overall really happy. It’s such an amazing atmosphere to ride in there and it’s also really close to home for me and I felt a lot of support from the public which is really nice”, she explained.

Third-placed Scholtens was more than pleased too. She missed out on this home show last year because of a knee injury so it was great to be back. And Indian Rock more than rose to the occasion.

“He felt really super, I really love to ride him….he is so talented and such a gentleman, I just love him and I think he did really, really well. He’s still a young horse (11 years old) in the Grand Prix, and for me it felt amazing!”, she said. Both Fry and Scholtens now have to decide if they will make the trip to Saudi Arabia in five weeks time. 

The final standings in the Western European League show Werth at the head of affairs followed by Fry in second and longtime series leader Patrick Kittel from Sweden in third place. Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath is in fourth, Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald in fifth and Morgan Barbançon in sixth ahead of Raphael Netz from Germany in seventh, Scholtens in eighth and Spain’s Borja Carrascosa in ninth spot. 

Belgium’s de Winne and Austria’s Diana Porsche who finished twelfth today lie in equal-tenth place, just outside the qualification zone while French riders Basquin and Alexandre Ayache are next in line. 

The startlist for the 37th FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final will take shape very soon, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Result

Final Standings Western European League 2023/2024

Stallions through the eye of the needle in Herning

8 March Part of PRESS RELEASE (dressage) from Danish Warmblood

More than 70 stallions (24 three-year-old dressage stallions) are working their way through the licensing system at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning. The first stallions have now been licensed and are ready for the breeding season.

In the Danish Warmblood stallion licensing system, the stallions are placed in different groups depending on age. For the 3-year-old stallions, the licensing will culminate with the final announcements Sunday in Jyske Bank Boxen, but some of the older stallions have already been fully approved.

Straight Horse Leonardo by Lord Europe / De Niro. Copyright free photo: Ridehesten.com

Challenge Trophy and Champion
It was not a difficult task to decide which of the stallions in the group should be the recipient of the Aage Ravn Challenge Trophy. The trophy is each year presented to the best Danish Warmblood-bred 4- or 5-year-old stallion and this year the recipient was the stallions Straight Horse Leonardo by Lord Europe / De Niro.
The stallion is from the gold medal mare Straight Horse De Milla and bred by Straight Horse ApS, which has done a great performance test and also has a very correct confirmation.

The title of Champion Stallion was awarded the stallion Viva Vegas by Viva Gold / Rock Forever. The stallion is bred in Germany and owned by Helgstrand Dressage. He was the winner of the Danish Warmblood performance test with an impressive score of 892 points.

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St. John Freestyle. Copyright free Photo: Ridehesten.com

Danish demonstration of power in ECCO Five Star Dressage

 It was the Danish gold team from the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning 2022, which sat in the top four positions in ECCO Five Star Dressage at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning in an ecstatic and absolutely fantastic atmosphere in the Boxen.

Nordentoft Grand Prix, is the first of two classes in ECCO Five Star Dressage at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning. Denmark's best dressage riders, and thus the riders who are in the running for a place on the Olympic team in Paris this summer, met in the Grand Prix today. The audience created a fantastic atmosphere throughout the class, and the riders afterwards expressed great gratitude and awe at the support from the Danish audience.
- For me it was just fantastic to ride through that curtain going into Boxen again, said today's winner Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who secured the victory with 80.413% on Mount st. John Freestyle by Fidermark. - Herning and Boxen are absolutely very special, and it gives me goose bumps just thinking about riding in through that curtain, she continued.
- “Free” was ready to "go for it" today. It's been a while since she's been in such an atmosphere, but it seemed like she thoroughly enjoyed it. My plan was not to push over the limit, but to show soft and beautiful riding, and I felt she gave me everything I needed to do exactly that. I made a little mistake in the last pirouette, but it's also a new partnership. I feel she enjoys performing as much as I enjoy doing it with her. I don't think I could have asked for more today. And then it's really special to stand on the podium together with my colleagues, Cathrine said.

ECCO Five Star Dressage -

Result CDI5* Nordentoft Grand Prix:
1. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour/Mount St John Freestyle        80,413%
2. Daniel Bachmann Andersen/Vayron                             74,783%
3. Nanna Skodborg Merrald/Blue Hors Don Olymbrio        74,435%
4. Carina Cassøe Krüth/Heiline’s Danciera                        73,978%
5. Lone Bang Zindorff/Thranegaardens Rostov                  72,413%
6. Anna Kasprzak/Rock Star                                            71,522%
 

Randbøl Dressage Academy moves into Korshøjgaard, formerly Blue Hors

PRESS RELEASE

As of 1 April, the Obel family and Dennis Fisker family take over Korshøjgaard from Blue Hors.

It is with great joy and pride that we announce that the Obel family and Dennis Fisker family take over Korshøjgaard and establish Randbøl Dressage Academy.

Mission

Randbøl Dressage Academy's mission is to establish a dressage academy, where we work holistically, with high professionalism and horse welfare within breeding, and both broadly based and for the elite sport.

Activities

The goal is to create a foundation where we invite other ambitious players from the industry into a community where we share the passion and joy within equestrian sports and at the same time open the beautiful Korshøjgaard to even more opportunities. The place encourages events, conventions, shows, championships and is a fantastic place for courses and clinics. It is therefore our hope that others with the same interests and values ​​as we see an opportunity in running activities from Korshøjgaard.

The new setup

"Blue Hors has had a great and important significance within equestrian sports. It is therefore with great humility and respect that we take up the torch in a setup in the Randbøl Dressage Academy, and we will do our best to live up to the values ​​that the Kirk Kristiansen family stands for", say Dennis Fisker and Mette Frederiksen.

The formal takeover of Korshøjgaard is planned for 1 April 2024.

Questions can be directed to Mette Frederiksen +45 51744293 or Dennis Fisker

+45 40561616.

*****************************************

Key Facts

*****************************************

Randbøl Dressage Academy:

  • Randbøl Dressage Academy is owned by the Obel and Dennis Fisker family.

•       For further information, please call Mette Frederiksen +45 51 74 42 93 or Rider Dennis Fisker +45 40 56 16 16.

Core tasks:

  • Rental of facilities, riders and trainers, reproduction, stallions/breeding, setup for young horse, shop, administration building.

  • Training and development of ambitious riders

  • Training and formation of talented horses

  • Individual training programs for rider and horse with international potential

  • Buy/sell horses

  • Preparing horses for championships, stallion shows etc.

  • Courses and clinics

  • Event/meeting activities for the public and the elite

  • Shows e.g. stallions and championships

Horse2rider kommenterer live på ClipMyHorse med input fra forskellige trænere og ryttere i løbet af dagene

Når alle de internationale klasser går i Hal M vil H2R igen i år være klar med løbende kommentering, hvor der vil være trænere / ryttere med i kommentatorstolen.

Derudover vil der også være live kommentering af CDI5* fra Boxen, men som først kan ses på ClipMyHorse arkivet umiddelbart efter klasserne (dog kun begræsning hvis du kigger med fra DK, alle andre i udlandet kan se med live).

følg med på h2r Facebook og Instagram i løbet af herning dagene, da alle opdateringer vil findes der.

New Partnership in Online Marketing (OLD & HORSE24)

Press release

The Oldenburger Pferde-Vermarktungs GmbH is pleased to announce its latest partnership with HORSE24, the leading digital platform for international online auctions characterized by advanced technologies and promising future potential.

The Oldenburger Pferde-Vermarktungs GmbH has chosen to join forces with HORSE24 to optimize opportunities in the digital age. HORSE24 is one of the most advanced digital platforms for the international auction market. This collaboration allows the Oldenburger Pferde-Vermarktungs GmbH to further enhance its offering and elevate the marketing of Oldenburg horses and foals to a new level.

HORSE24 offers a wide range of features benefiting both buyers and sellers. The platform enables a straightforward and secure marketing of horses, supported by innovations such as virtual viewings, detailed pedigrees, and transparent transactions.

The Oldenburger Pferde-Vermarktungs GmbH is looking forward to shaping the future of horse trading in collaboration with HORSE24, contributing to the industry's advancement through this partnership. This strong alliance not only promises synergies but also an improved service quality for our customers.

HighSand Horses klar med debut til hingstekåring i Herning

Eva Nabi ejer af HighSand Horses - foto: H2R

HighSand Horses

Nærmest nystartet, med ældste årgang som i år bliver 4 år, og nu klar med hjemmeavlet hingst til kåring i Herning. Den komet-succes er der ikke mange som kan efterligne, men ikke desdo mindre er det fakta for Eva Nabi som står bag stutteriet HighSand Horses, der er beliggende i det smukke bakkede tærræn i Hørsholm på Sjælland.

Og nu med HighSand One in a Million udtaget til kåringen, men allerede tilbage i 2022 valgte Eva at fremvise to føl med henblik på udtagelsen til Blue Hors auktionen, og her fik HighSand Horses to føl udtaget (ud af ialt 20 føl udtaget til auktionen). Begge føl HighSand Zackmann og HighSand Zackton blev solgt til grand prix ryttere.

Så med succesen i 2022 havde Eva fået blod på tanden og var klar med lidt større setup for 2023. Tre føl og to 2-års var med til skuer, og alle 5/5 heste gik i finalen og tre blev udtaget til Eliteskuet. Til Eliteskuet blev en 2 års spring hoppe udtaget til finalen som en ud af fire. Herudover fik stutteriet kåret to hopper i RDH.

Undervejs i den korte avlerkarriere har Eva været aktiv for at tilegne sig ny viden, og etablere netværk. Tidligt møde Eva Nabi også Lotte og Lars Meldgaard, Stald Skovvang, som idag er blevet bedste venner og sparringspartnere. Eva´s avlshopper står hos Lotte og Lars, og når det er følsæson, er Eva på pletten til folingerne, da Lotte og Lars indtil videre har haft helt styr på, hvornår det sker.

Hingsten Highsand One in a Million er klar til kåring

Interessen og kærligheden til heste har Eva altid haft, siden hun som ganske lille pige blev introduceret til heste og Dansk Varmblod gennem forældrenes gode venner, Lis og Flemming Jensen, som dengang var Dansk Varmblod avlere. Drømmen siden dengang, om selv at avle, blev dog først igangsat med familiens køb af en hesteejendom i 2020.

Med ejendommen på Gammel Holtevej var Eva´s bankende hestehjerte vakt til live igen, og jagten på et par gode avlshopper blev sat ind. Det bragte bl.a. Eva omkring Ib Kirk og hans svigerfar Jens Christian Krabbe, og her faldt Eva ved første øjekast for hoppen Svalegårds Hope e. Blue Hors Hotline / Lauries Crusador xx, men der skulle gå flere besøg, før det lykkedes Eva at få lov til at købe hoppen. Og man var efterhånden kommet så langt hen på sæsonen, at ifolingen allerede var klaret. Resultatet er klar imorgen til førstedagen til DV´s hingstekåring i Herning, nemlig HighSand One in a Million e. Duke.

Hingsten har lige fra første dag som nyfødt føl været noget helt særligt, fortæller Eva. Alligevel er vejen jo super lang og for hende også fuldstændig ukendt farvand.

Klargøring frem mod forbesigtigelse var lagt i hænderne på Sophie og Jan fra Noagaard, og det resulterede som tidligere nævnt nu også en billet til hingstekåringen, så derfor er One in a Million selvfølgelig lige om lidt klar med teamet fra Noagaard til Herning. Et samarbejde som Eva sprang ind i uden rigtig at kende Jan og Sophie, men alene via anbefalinger valgte at sætte den dengang unge hingst i træning med henblik på fremstilling til forbesigtigelse. Et samabejde som Eva sætter meget stor pris på, idet hun hele vejen har været med på sidelinien, samtidig med at hun har erfaret at ordentlighed og arbejde på hestenes præmisser skinner igennem fra hele Noagaard teamet.

Horsemanship og miljøtræning

For Eva Nabi er hesteavlen ikke bare at vente på den næste unghoppe til kåring, eller den næste ridehest er klar, det er hele processen fra første håndtering af føllene frem mod arbejdet med de unge heste i forberedelsen til livet som rideheste.

Helt lavpraktisk har Eva valgt at tage den del, der hedder miljøtræning med i udviklingen af hver enkelt hest. Det betyder så også, at føllene, når de er taget fra, lærer en masse basisting. Eva og Dee, en dedikeret ung hollandsk pige der fungere som Eva´s højre hånd, lærer også i den proces rigtig meget om temperamentet på de unge føl. For Dee er delen med miljøtræningen og horsemanship det hun brænder for med hestene, og det betyder, at Eva og Dee tre gange om ugen har alle de unge heste i hænder. Og som Eva siger, man mærker så tydeligt fra uge til uge, hvordan de udvikler sig når de bliver stillet overfor nye ting og udfordringer. Med Dee´s passion og håndtering af de unge heste, har Eva valgt at give hende de muligheder, som hun ønsker i forhold til kurser, træning og læring. Hun er derfor også en naturlig del af Team Noagaard, når turen går til Herning.

Stalden hos HighSand Horses rummer 11 bokse - foto: H2R

Avl og resultater

Høje Sandbjerg, hvor stutteriet er beliggende, er et af sjællands mest kuperede landskaber, så naturlig muskelopbygning for udvikling af stærke led og sener samt masser af balance hos de unge heste, er med til at give det rette afsæt til resten af hestelivet. De unge heste går i turnus og kommer derfor også i perioder på stald bl.a. for håndtering. Med ejendommen, der stadig er under opbygning, er planerne bl.a. er endnu en stald, så er der masser udfordringer med store maskiner og larm, som også kan være med til at udvikle de unge heste.

  • HighSand Boss Man e. Jovian (finale føl reg 1, 8.5 i helhed, 5x8.5, bl.a. i helhed, 8 i skridt og 8,5 i både trav og galop)

  • HighSand Boss Lady e. Jovian (finaleføl, reg 2, Eliteskue føl, 8 i helhed, 8,5 type og rammer, 3x8 for gangarter) (H2R favorit hoppeføl til Eliteskuet)

  • HighSand Birdie (finaleføl reg 1, med 8.5 i helhed og 8,5 i både trav og galop)

  • HighSand Rose Rebel e.Janeiro Platinum/Sandro King/Stravinsky xx, finale 2 års reg 2, udtaget til Eliteskuet

  • HighSand Frozen La'Be (SPRING, finale 2 års, reg 3, eliteskue og i finalen til eliteskuet som 1 ud af 4)

Kåret 2 RDH Hopper:

  • HighSand Sweet Spot e. Janeiro Platinum/Sandro King/Stravinsky xx samt Erina GLN (springhoppe)

Aktuelle HighSand avlshopper

Svalegaards Hope e. Hotline/Lauries Crusader xx/Tannenberg

Avlet i tyskland af Wilhelm Schwierking og købt på auktion af Krabbe. Bror statspræmiehingst Ducati25, søster årets hoppe på Herwart von der Decken-Schau.

Afkom: 

  • 2019 ikke HighSand avler: Svalegårds Florisstar

  • 2021 HighSand One In A Million e. Duke (udtaget til Herning)

  • 2022 HighSand Zackson e. Blue Hors Zackorado - solgt på Blue Hors auktion

  • 2023 HighSand Boss Mann e. Jovian

  • 2024 venter Glamourdale føl

Green Hopes Legacy e. Fürstenball/Lauries Crusador xx/Wittinger

Afkom:

  • 2021 HighSand Zacklan (solgt til rytter)

  • 2022 HighSand Zackmann e. Blue Hors Zackorado - solgt på Blue Hors auktion

  • 2023 HighSand Boss Lady e. Jovian

  • 2024 venter Glamourdale føl

Zalza Havdal e. Blue Hors Zatchmo/Tailormade Temptation/Blue Hors Romanov

Afkom:

  • 2021 Highsand Blazing Buff e. Iron

  • 2022 HighSand Icona e. Iron

  • 2023 HighSand Birdie

  • 2024 venter Åtoftens Springtime føl

Ny hoppe i avlen 2024 på stutteriet er den 3 års HighSand Rose Rebel e. Janeiro Platinum/Sandro King/Stravinsky xx som også forventes stillet til kåring (2 års gik i finalen og til eliteskuet).


H2R takker for en spændende dag hos HighSand Horses med dejlige ungheste, hvor det er skønt at opleve horsemanship og miljøtræning som en naturlig del af avlsarbejdet.

Nu venter nogle rigtig spændende dage i Herning, hvor Eva er klar fra første parket sammen med en god veninde.

Chestnut stallions highlights from Westphalian live stallion show Sunday in Münster-Handorf

Huge list of stallions for yesterday´s stallion show in Münster-Handorf with just three stallions in top from H2R point of view.

All three stallions can be found at the archive on Clipmyhorse.

Vet status

For the breeders it would be very useable to get to know the vetenarian status before using a stallion.

KWPN and Danish Warmblood are as far as H2R is informed the breeding societies with the highest level for their vetenarian approval for the breeding stallions.

At the presentation of the stallion Val d´Aran it was mentioned that the vet report was avialable at the website. This was absolutely new and super valueable information.

The costs of breeding and raising the foals has increased significantly over the recent years. One way to try to eliminate the costs is to make it visible for the breeders to make their own choice whether using a stallion with some vet issues or not. Today there´s no official way for the breeders to check the vet status before using a stallion.

A suggestion for WBFSH:

aN online register showing the vet status for each approved stallion.

CDI4 Grand Prix Special with percentage similarity in the top

Jagerbomb & Becky Moody - (screenshot Clipmyhorse)

Dorothee Schneider with Dayman and Becky Moody with Jagerbomb with equal percentage

From watching both tests there were absolute no doubt about the winner eventhough Becky and Jagerbomb had a mistake for the one times at the diagonal. Everything was just better than for Dorothee with Dayman, unfortunately not reflected at the scores from the entire judging team today. Judge a C, German Ulrike Nivelle was spot with her placements as she had 1 Jagerbomb, 2 Dante Weltino, 3 Gotilas de Feuillard and 4 Dayman. French judge Alban Tissot also saw Jagerbomb and Moody in winner position.

Becky and Jagerbomb are trained by Carl Hester.

Same percentage

The international rule says the highest total median score of the judges will decide the placing. The median score is the score in the middle, the scores need to be put in ascending numerical order.

Dayman scores: 73,085 - 73,936 - 74,574 - 75,638 - 75,745

Jagerbom scores: 74,043 - 74,362 - 74,362 - 74,894 - 75,319

Balance and harmony pure

When a combination as Becky Moody and Jagerbomb is able to show at highest level with power, balance, expression, suppleness and in a picture perfect frame and contact like today it is pure harmony, also with a mistake and of course still room for improvement.

From H2R point of view this is the way dressage is gonna be presented in 2024.

Here below from running comments from H2R during the tests.

Jagerbomb & Becky Moody - Good halt, power expressive diagonal, lovely frame, nice flow and go good crossing half pass left, sharp into passage at C, nice passage developed from hind, good power extension, good passage, tiny unbalance into half pass right good flow, nice into passage at C, good passage, power extension, back on hind legs transition, good relaxation for extended walk with good over track, good collected walk clear rhtyhm, easy into active piaffe, good out, nice passage, easy into, again good piaffe with tiny tension out, good into canter, nice half passes with flow and go, super contact!, FORWARD UPHILL 2 times, error end of 1 times, full risk extended canter, super 1st pirouette, nice 1 times, super 2nd pirouette with quality, nice into trot, super extension with longer frame, super passage, easy sit into piaffe, easy out clear transition, nice passage, super halt - LOOK LIKE A WINNER PERFORMANCE! 74,596% - same score as Dorothee Schneider.

Dayman & Dorothee Schneider - Good halt, good diagonal bit looking at final, lack more bend for half pass left, good into passage at C, good passage, good extension, good back to passage, bit unbalanced half pass right tensions, good into passage at C, good extension, tiny against the hand for transition to passage, good extended walk best relaxation 2nd half, good collected walk, becomes very short in the neck for 1st piaffe, good out, good passage, nice sit and balance 2nd piaffe, good out, nice passage, good into canter, good half passes missing more bend bit looking, good 2 times bit high neck, error end 1 times parallel hind, good extension but could show more open frame, nice 1st pirouette, good 1 times, big 2nd pirouette, good into trot, good long side missing bit more expression, easy passage with easy transitions, super sit and bouncy piaffe, super halt.

Dante Weltino OLD & Therese Nilshagen - Super halt, power extension, nice go and reach for half pass left, good into passage at C, power extension, small unbalance into passage, good passage, nice swing and bend uphill half pass right, good into passage at C, power long side, tiny quicker for some moment in right hind for passage, good walk tour, easy into piaffe, lack bit more activity, good out, easy into 2nd piaffe, good piaffe, good out, nice into canter, good half passes, bit mix up with one times for 2 times serie, good 1 times, power extended canter uphill super back for change, good 1st pirouette, nice 1 times, lack bit more control 2nd pirouette becomes bit turn, good into trot, full power extension, good passage, nice into piaffe, missing bit energy for piaffe, good out, super halt.

Link for detailed results.

Dante Weltino OLD and Therese Nilshagen winner of CDI4 Grand Prix in Lier

Dante Weltino OLD & Therese Nilshagen - photo: DLZ

Top performance = top management

17 year old stallion Dante Weltino OLD and Therese Nilshagen did not leave anything for the competitors. Powerful, expressive with accuracy for today´s victory. Dante and Therese has been successful at the international scene at Grand Prix level for 8 years now. Impressive horsemanship keeping the now 17 year old stallion super fit and happy. Dante and Therese getting ready for the Olympics. 73,848%

Dayman and Dorothee Schneider made their international debut together last summer and today they showed a very solid performance without any weaknesses. Overall well balanced for the trot tour, strong piaffe and passage tours, very good walk tour and solid canter tour. Dorothee will for sure try to go for an Olympic ticket. 73,522%

10 year old Dante Weltino son Jagerbomb and Becky Moody brings themselves into a very attractive position in this Olympic year with another strong performance. This is first time they compete outside Great Britain as all their experience has been on home soil since their Grand Prix debut back in Hickstead May 2023. Overall good flow and go in a nice steady frame with a light contact, nice supple half passes, good power for extension, nice regularity for passage and the piaffe shows some really nice tendency eventhough you could wish for a bit more of the ground steps and more at the spot as they still travels a bit forward, but the regularity still counts compared to some fancy unbalanced steps, strong series, bit unbalanced zigzag and good quality for pirouettes. 72,542%

Hard work pays off

11 yr old gelding Invictus by Jack Sparrow / Voice with Hans Peter Minderhoud showed a good Grand Prix performance scoring 69,543%. It has been more than a challenge for Hans Peter to show Invictus without tensions. When watching them over time you were not in doubt about the qualities but whether it ever would succeed over time was difficult to see from the distance. The experience from Hans Peter Minderhoud now starting to pay off as Invictus shows that they have come far in their partnership in the arena. Still with tensions but Hans Peter look as if he more or less knows what will come and you clearly get the impression of the top qualities from Invictus.

Here you find all details from the class.

Super exciting huge CDI3 Grand Prix in Lier yesterday

Podium in Grand Prix - Alive and Kicking & Charlotte Dujardin, Nespresso & Lottie Fry and Jovian & Patrik Kittel

41 combinations at the start list for CDI3 Grand Prix in Lier

It´s always super interesting when the top riders brings new horses for the international scene.

Yesterday with Charlotte Dujardin showing her 10 year old mare Alive and Kicking by All at Once / Fürst Piccolo. It was just their 2nd ever Grand Prix together, first international and first time competing abroad. Super cool for the prize giving standing with long reins and enjoying the atmosphere.

Overall a light and easy test where Dujardin gives the young mare confidence throughout the entire test. Highlights for the passage and canter tour and only major hiccup was at the final centerline pretty much without transition into and out of the piaffe, unfortunately only one of the judges with the correct mark!

Lottie Fry and the beautiful 15 year old stallion Nespresso by Negro/ Tenerife VDL makes a really nice partnership. Lots of quality throughout the performance where a few minor adjustments for the halt with rein back and the pirouettes will easily bring them into the +75%. Strong passage, super transitions, good piaffe and super series.

Another new partnership at the international scene yesterday was 10 year old stallion Jovian by Apache / Tango with Patrik Kittel in the saddle. Most of the dressage world have seen a top moment from the training lately posted on Instragram, and this just proves that it is not that easy bringing in the best from the training into the competition. Kittel is quite a master of taking over the reins of a successful horse and together with Jovian he showed a super solid performance with highlights from the start trending 81%. When making the passage less powerful it also becomes less expressive and the transitions including the piaffe tours lacking more balance and clear rhythm. The overall impression from the canter tour is super solid work but Jovian missing to be more on the hind quaters for the series, zigzag and pirouettes. Super exciting new partnership to keep an eye on.

Here you find the entire results from the CDI3 GP.

Schedule and entries for CDI1, CDI3 & CDI5 Herning next week

Arena M - Herning. Photo H2R

CDI5 Herning will be the first head to head “test” for the best Danish combinations, even though Nanna Merrald will not compete Blue Hors Zepter but as planned bringing Blue Hors Don Olymbrio for the CDI5. At the same time Nanna is telling that Zepter is back in traning after sustaining a hoof abscess right before take off for last weekends World Cup in Gothenburg.

CDI3 Herning where Nanna Merrald brings Blue Hors Znickers for his international debut like also Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour is ready for international debut with Vividus QRE. CDI3 Herning will also be senior debut for both U25 riders Sophia Obel with Foldagers Chablis and Sophia Ludvigsen with Blue Hors Quintana.

CDI1 Herning with Anna Kasprzak and her Young Horse World Champion Danciero are ready for international small tour debut, like also the fairly new partnership between Sophia Obel and Highfive Fuglsang are ready for international debut. Also Johanne Amby Ubbesen and Møgelvang Ferrari are ready for international small tour debut.

Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein og Blue Hors Fifty Cent are for their 2nd international small tour start as they made their debut last autumn in Hagen, Germany.

CDI1 Schedule:

(arena M - live stream at Clipmyhorse including Danish commentary)

  • Thursday at 8.00 - Prix St. Georg

  • Friday at 10.30 - Intermediaire I

CDI3 Schedule:

(arena M - live stream at Clipmyhorse including Danish commentary)

  • Thursday at 19.45 - Grand Prix

  • Saturday at 10.30 - Grand Prix Special

CDI5 Schedule:

(Boxen arena - live stream at Clipmyhorse will only be available outside Denmark, but will be available after the class at the archive on Clipmyhorse - including Danish commentary)

  • Friday at 15.15 - Grand Prix

  • Saturday at 15.30 - Grand Prix Special

A big moment for Michiels and Intermezzo in Gothenburg

Belgium’s Domien Michiels couldn’t hide his delight when winning today’s penultimate leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League series in Gothenburg, Sweden with his 16-year-old gelding Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof.

The pair have extensive experience together having flown their country’s flag at the Tokyo Olympics Games in 2021, the World Championship in 2022 and the last two European Championships. But in their long partnership they never posted a major international victory - until today.

"It is my first big international win so it is very special! This horse is also the first I rode at Grand Prix level. I have him since he was four so this is a very special day, the highlight of my career!"

Domien Michiels BEL

said the 40-year-old athlete who is based in the centre of Belgium.

In yesterday’s Grand Prix he finished second behind Swedish winner Maria von Essen with Invoice. Today however the host-nation pair had to to settle for runner-up spot, while Spain’s Borja Carrascosa and Sir Hubert NRW lined up in third ahead of another Belgian duo, Alexa Fairchild with Mala Skala’s Hermes, in fourth place.

Lead

Michiels took the lead when fifth-last to go of the nine starters, his score of 78.300 leaving him well clear of the rest of the field following a test that demonstrated the firm partnership he has established with the horse he calls Inter. Their ability to transition so smoothly and quietly from extended canter to balanced pirouette epitomised the mutual understanding that underpinned their lovely performance. 

Von Essen was next to go, and in only their fifth international Grand Prix together her 12-year-old gelding showed great lift in piaffe/passage for a score of 76.200, while in their fourth outing in the Western European League this season Carrascosa and Sir Hubert put 75.630 on the board. 

The Spanish rider was clearly well pleased, smiling broadly as he landed his final halt. And he had plenty more to smile about when he realised his third-place finish had rocketed him all the way from fourteenth place to eighth on the League table from which the top nine will qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024 Final in April.

“If I can go to the Final I am ready!”, he said. “I’ve been living in Germany for 13 years and it has been a big chance for me to be at the middle of the top sport. I miss the nice weather of Spain but it was a good decision for my riding career!”, he added.

Runner-up Von Essen had plenty to feel good about too. “I am very happy with my horse. It is only his second season at the top level and he needs time. I am happy how he is behaving and he is getting better and better. We both really like the Freestyle because it’s so much fun to ride!”, she said.

Happiest athlete

But the happiest athlete of all was the winner Michiels whose personal-best score with Inter today is such a career highlight. He said this evening that this result is all due to the connection he has with the horse he has known for such a long time. 

“It goes back to when he was four years old when I tried him out. I felt something special in him then and I thought I could do a lot with him, I believed in him”, he explained. “He wasn’t a big mover but sometimes you just have a special connection. A lot of unexpected things happened like the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Europeans as well. Everything has happened really fast, but the partnership is what is so important. We understand each other, and I trust him as well. 

"Today he was a bit afraid when he came into the arena because it is really big and the sound of all the people was so great, but he trusted me in that moment and we went in and I knew he would do everything for me. That’s what it is all about!"

Domien Michiels BEL

said the rider who runs a busy breeding, training and competition stable. 

He enjoys seeing horses through their entire career. “I like to see how young horses develop from a foal hopefully all the way to Grand Prix level. I like to see the evolution of a horse and to build a bond together with the horse and then see what happens in the future with them”, he explained.

His ambition now is another Olympic one. His plan for Intermezzo is to give him a good rest, “he deserves it after today!” - and then to try for a spot on the Belgian team in Paris this summer.

“That’s the target and if it happens it happens but I’m not going to put any pressure on him. If it doesn’t work out then we will just go together to some nice competitions, but this one now is my favourite - Gothenburg, Sweden is just perfect!”, he said tonight.

The eleventh and last leg of the Western European League series will take place in two weeks’ time in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Result

Standings

Huge entry lists and program for CDI3 and CDI4 next week in Lier, Belgium

Charlotte Fry (GBR) - Inclusive CDI Lier 2023 © DigiShots

International CDI3 debut for among other Charlotte Dujardin & Alive and Kicking, Jovian & Patrik Kittel, Vainqueur & Dorothee Schneider, Quaterhit & Stefanie Brieussel and Fortunity S & Nuno Palma E Santos.

NEWS AT BELGIUM DRESSAGE EVENTS - FULL ENTRY LISTS BELOW⬇️⬇️

CDI Lier welcomes World Champions

14 februari 2024/in 2024/door Belgium Dressage Events

With less than two weeks to go, the field of participants for the seventh edition of CDI Lier is known. A veritable invasion of world champions will travel to Azelhof Equestrian Center in Lier. From Tuesday, February 27 to Sunday, March 3, not only will these top combinations be enjoying themselves, but Kyra Kyrklund will also treat the public to two interesting clinics.

With reigning world champion Charlotty Fry and former world and Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, among others, the field of participants leaves nothing to be desired. In addition, two-fold world champion of the World Championship for Young Horses, Jovian, is making his international Grand Prix debut under Patrik Kittel. This has been eagerly awaited since the announcement of the rider change.

Belgian youth champions at the start
The youth is again welcome at CDI Lier this year. There will be classes for the international Pony, Children, Juniors, Young Riders and U25 combinations. They get a great opportunity to ride in the international spotlight and prepare for the youth European Championships this summer. Almost all reigning Belgian youth champions will appear at the start.

Biggest Indoor dressage competition of the world
“I am very pleased with the large number of starts. Looking at the number of starts in the 3* and 4* Grand Prix, we can even call ourselves the biggest indoor dressage competition in the world. A total of 220 horses are coming and we even have a waiting list”, Chairman Wim Verwimp enthused. “CDI Lier is important for many riders leading up to the Paris Olympics this summer and it’s fantastic to see more and more bigger names coming to the start of CDI Lier. This is definitely going to make for great sport, both for the competitors and for the public who are of course very welcome.”

British Olympic team present
Jovian and Patrik Kittel, who appear at the start of the 3*-Grand Prix Tour, will have competition from Charlotte Fry and Nespresso, Charlotte Durjadin and Alive and Kicking and Richard Davidson and Interno, with whom almost the entire British Olympic team will travel to CDI Lier. Other big names competing include Germany’s Dorothee Schneider, Australia’s Kirsty Oatley, France’s Morgan Barbançon, the Dutch Hans Peter Minderhoud and Sweden’s Juliëtte Ramel and Therese Nilshagen, as well as reigning Belgian champion Larissa Pauluis. In total, participants from 20 countries will compete.

Dressage clinics with Kyra Kyrklund
On Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, none other than Kyra Kyrklund will be coming to provide an interesting dressage clinic. This Olympic dressage legend will give some of her valuable insights to all dressage fans in Lier.

ENTRY LIST CDI3

ENTRY LIST CDI4

24.000 euro top price 3 yr old mare by So Perfect / Dimaggio at NRW Youngster Online auction

With head number 3, Soranja trotted to the top of the price range. The daughter of So Perfect/Dimaggio (breeder and exhibitor: Frank Moormann, Wettrup) is based on a highly interesting and successful dam line. The coveted sire, Bundeschampion and Vice World Champion Secret comes from this line. Also the licensed and Grand Prix successful Kennedy son Konsequent is a descendent from this direct dam line. Even before the all-important BidUp, the mare's popularity became well known. Customers from Germany and Spain fought till the end. The last bid was placed by Germans for 24,000 euros. 15,000 euros was what customers paid for head number 8 Gentleman. The son of world champion Glamourdale particularly impressed customers from Ireland and Sweden. In the end, the Irish had the longest breath in this bidding duel. The stunning black stallion, who was bred and exhibited by Thomas Biehn, Lippstadt, out of the Verb.Pr.St. Sweet Princess by Sunday, will travel to the green Isle for the hammer price of 15,000 euro. /Part of press release.

Doha, Qatar comes up next weekend 22 - 24 February

Favourites for next weekends CDI5 event at Doha, Qatar are Total Hope OLD with Isabel Freese, but also Malagueño with Jose Daniel Martin Dockx, Morgan Barbancon with Habana Libre and the new combination Quentano with Henri Ruoste will be at the top.

Nabab and Justina Vanagaite are back after a well deserved winter break.

The Grand Prix will be Friday and both Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix freestyle will be Saturday. The total price money is 150.000 euro.

Entries:

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