Jayden Brown and WillingaPark Sky Diamond, owned by Terry and Ginette Snow.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Roger Fitzhardinge reports from day one of the Grand Prix competition
By Roger Fitzhardinge
Day one of the Grand Prix test saw the class start at 11am (local time) and go through to 8pm, and what a great group of horses that fronted the seven judges around the arena. The weather was freezing and some rain. All seasons in one, with an icy wind… but we are here in wonderful Herning!
The purple themed arena.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The surfaces and the arena were fantastic and included finishing touches such as a purple theme; even the lavender that adorned the arena edges was in keeping with the wonderful event. The members of the volunteer brigade were efficient yet welcoming, helpful and understanding, and the whole vibe of the venue was of good competition, as we saw it certainly was.
From the first horse in it was easy to see that there was going to be strong and close competition. There were 93 horses to be judged over two days and at the end the combined scores from the best three athletes for each country will produce a combined score to decide the team competition. This team competition was so open and with great rivalry, and not totally dominated by Germany as it has been in years gone by. The USA, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain were all up there… and of course do not underestimate the Germans!
In the early horses there was plenty of talent, however the slightest mistake saw the percentage fall and when you see that half way through the first day there was 10 horses between 69% and 70%, it is attention to detail that was going to pay off and the judges had a big job ahead of them.
Jayden Brown and WillingaPark Sky Diamond, owned by Terry and Ginette Snow.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Of course, out early was Willinga Park’s Sir Donnerhall stallion, WillingaPark Sky Diamond, ridden by Jayden Brown in what was only the horse’s fifth Grand Prix test. They looked totally at ease coming in to the amazing arena, and they took it all in their stride. They were both made for the job, and Jayden is such an elegant and quiet rider. The trot work was collected, cadenced and above all in a wonderfully rhythmic tempo. The half passes were without falter, and then the only mistake was coming in to the halt for the rein-back. The stallion was having a look in to the stands and all of a sudden thought that it was a halt aid and jammed on the brakes and halted, pushing down and into the rein-back hurried with no real mobile movement. It was a shock, but Jayden totally non fussed continued with consummate ease. The passage was cadenced with good energy and the transitions into the piaffe were confident and in a good way. The piaffe is still improving, but still scoring 7s and it’s easy to see there is room for more, but good basics for the next test. The canter work was uphill and really starting to sit ,with good self-carriage and balance. The twos tempis were easy and the zig zag showed great reach, with the changes clearly showing bend, balance and flexion. Both pirouettes were cleanly ridden with good marks.
Their Achilles heel has been the one tempi changes, and again with clever riding, a set of 15 ones with no counting or change errors; they still lack confidence and could be straighter, but what improvement here in the last few months! A great centreline in passage and piaffe and a good halt to finish. They really had the crowd behind them and the team Willinga was thrilled. What a start to the team competition for the Aussies! The pair was 16th of 43 combinations with an equal-PB score of 69.674% – what an amazing effort, and a huge congratulations to Jayden, ‘Beans’, owners Terry and Ginette Snow, and groom Lillie Connelly.
Unfortunately, the bad news of the morning was that Mary Hanna’s mare Calanta had to be withdrawn after pulling up lame from the last familiarisation with a strained back muscle. Devastating news, and especially when you think of the work and effort that goes in to getting here and the distances and the training and the heartbreaking disappointment for Mary, Rob and all associated.
It wasn’t long before the amazing stallion, Blue Horse Zack arrived and as was thought, an incredible stallion with so much presence and talent. Ridden by Nanna Merrald Rasmussen for Denmark, he made one hell of an impression. He has it all, with a ground-covering and balanced trot and big extension. Zack’s endearing attitude towards the effort he puts in is easily evident. The rider is quiet and effortless. The passage is full of quality, but if you had to pick a weak spot, the piaffe needs to be a little more uphill with a more upward and forward thinking front leg, as he gets a little over his shoulders. However, he was amazing and a very well deserved score of 76.724%. A highlight indeed were the one tempi changes that scored an 8.5, but perhaps the general feeling was that it could be more.
Nanna Merrald Rasmussen and Blue Hors Zack.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
It was not so long before it was Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus who was in with the crowd hushed. This stallion is really looking so good and improving now quickly as he gains the strength to hold the balance in all the movements. The piaffe is now so elastic and so balanced, with very even, rhythmic steps and the transitions are gaining good adjustability in and out. The changes were elegant and light and easy, as all Ingrid’s riding develops. Both pirouettes were effortless, and the elegance and lightness of this horse is astonishing. The self-carriage is so easy to define. The final extended trot and centreline gained great marks and the live score board at every movement showed them gaining ground on Zack’s score. Eventually it settled at 75.683%. A huge round of applause for these two horses, especially to the big enthusiastic and well educated crowd. They were special tests!
Chemistry for New Zealand, who has been competing now in Australia with John Thompson for some years, scored a 68.059% for a test that was clean – but the black stallion looked a little tight and perhaps the trot work was a little staccato. The canter work was also clean, but needed to show more lateral suppleness and swing. Chemistry looked as if he had not travelled half way around the world so effortlessly; it’s a huge effort, and John made the most of what he had under him on the day. He’s a clever rider, and created positive energy in the piaffe and passage that was impressive.
The great Dutch horse, Hexagon’s Ich Weiss for Thamar Zweistra, is a very interesting stallion. He is a heavier type with not such lightness and elegance, but he really knows his work and makes a good effort in all the movements. He shows a great degree of power that is totally controlled and directed towards self-carriage. It was a good test but just at times perhaps could be a little more shoulders up with a rounder top line This horse made a consistent and clean test for a score of 72.376%.
Hexagon’s Ich Weiss for Thamar Zweistra.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
Of course, the Spanish team are always knocking on the door and Zonik Hit for João Pedro Moreira made a good impression. They scored a 71.522%, setting a good start for the Spaniards. Later in the draw was the compact, white Spanish horse for Alejandro Sánchez del Barco, who simply skipped his way through the canter work, always in balance and happy as. The trot work was full of elasticity and uphill tendencies, and there was as good passage as we have come to see; the crowd could not contain themselves, and from X in the passage to the halt, they clapped in time to this. A 72.842% for a personal best and happiness all round. So two solid scores for the Spanish team.
Into the arena came Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca for Great Britain. What a test. This sweet bay mare was in such an uphill frame and stole the hearts of the crowd. Gareth perhaps was a little underwhelming in terms of being a little more extroverted in his forward attitude, but with this came swing, self-carriage and a wonderful, soft and flowing test. It was effortless and the cadence and clarity was quite mesmerising. Gareth looked as if he had all the time in the world. It was a captivating test and the crowd was silent until the last passage, after which they couldn’t resist and burst into timed clapping… and you did see the mare spark up with great passage, but it was not great that there was no halt at G, just piaffe with Gareth saluting and indicating what was he to do? This mare has no weak links to the test and is one that will for sure have turned a lot of heads.
Dinja van Liere and Hermes.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The contest has just gotten hotter and in to the arena came Hermes and Dinja van Liere. Oh, what can you say? Bold, uphill, elastic and forward for Holland, and no mistaking that with the orange tails making a striking look in the bright evening light. Again, you could hear a pin drop as this wonderful horse literally oozed around the test with consummate ease, with pizazz and confidence. Simply a wonderful performance to say the least, and a well-deserved 78.241%. It was six first placed, with the C judge placing them third.
Then the Danish mare in Heiline’s Danciera by Fuerstenball arrived, and the huge crowd is revved up for the home town star. What an amazing test yet again from this wonderful brown mare who is so light-footed in the trot work with a huge, expansive extended trot. The passage had plenty of lift and push, but a little lack of confidence in the piaffe with an inconsistent rhythm. All the same, what a test with expressive and small pirouettes and good changes, albeit a little holding over the back and with room for a bigger mark when the changes become more relaxed. Carina Cassøe Krüth was delighted and they trained with Andreas Helgstrand; what a delight.
Carina Cassøe Krueth and Heiline’s Danciera.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
It was far from over, with Benjamin Werndl on the bay gelding by Farewell III. A very correct test with no mistakes, but in comparison to the expression and joy de vie of some of the other horses, Famoso OLD lacked the activity and engagement from the hind leg. However, an absolutely rock-solid test in every way. The judges had a long day and there was excitement in the air, and Ben was in the right place at the right time to move in to second place on 77.003%, but with placings of 4, 5, 1, 3, 2, 5, 2. All the same, the pair was consistent throughout and that is what gets the marks. Good consistency and that it was.
Benjamin Werndl and Famoso OLD.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The Swedish team then had Juliette Ramel with Buriel K.H. Another great test showing an uphill way and great trot work with expressive passage. The canter perhaps became a little strong in the bridle and the one tempi changes were a little awkward. As always, a consistent test but the marks could be even more with better lateral suppleness and a contact that showed a little more adjustability.
The team competition was looking super close and the last one to go was Ashley Holzer, who was no doubt one of the hot favourites for a good score, but dressage can be heart destroying and this Sir Donnerhall mare started off with some simply breathtaking expansive trot work. Then in the piaffe it was all of a sudden a disaster, when Valentine planted her feet and refused. Ashley sat very quietly and the mare did a little more, reluctantly. Then in the second piaffe a score of 0.8% when the mare abandoned ship so to speak and showed small rears a few times and backed up; she was very close to elimination for refusing to continue with the test! It was then back to work but the crowd was thinking there is still that dreaded piaffe on the centre line and never be surprised by something that was always going to happen and sure enough a stop and a threaten, and Ashley chose to just move on and then the crowd clapped in time to the passage and sure enough a disaster into the halt! A 61.258% and stone motherless last for such a stunning horse. That’s dressage and so sad for the entire team. Not the way you want to see the first day’s competition end!
Ashley Holzer and Valentine.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The US pair unfortunately had problems in the piaffe.
© Roger Fitzhardinge
The lead after day one went to the Dutch with Hermes, then Famoso for Germany and Danciera for Denmark, followed by Zack also for Denmark.
An awesome day’s competition and half way through the competition for the teams the standings are: Netherlands 78.835%, Germany 77.003%, Denmark 76.863%. It’s close and tomorrow is another day and what a day it looks to be.
Read Roger’s preview of day two here.
Team standings.
When will the Aussie dressage team compete on day two?
Sunday, 7 August
Lyndal Oatley and Eros: 3.20pm local time, 11.20pm AEST
Simone Pearce and Fiderdance: 7pm local time, 3am Monday AEST
Read more about the Aussie dressage team in the August issue of Equestrian Life here.
You can watch all the action from the FEI World Championships in Herning via Clip My Horse TV.
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