Guenter Seidel and Foltaire

Guenter Seidel had to be content with a fourth place in the Grand Prix. The professional dressage rider and trainer from Encenitas, CA, nested himself in between German prima donna's Monica Theodorescu and Karin Rehbein. They preferred to compete on the peaceful island Grafwerth in Bad Honnef than the heavily covered CDI Norten Hardenberg.

In the Grand Prix the first extended canter was good but the flying change at X was a bit late behind. The half pass to the left was short and barely without suspension. In the rein back Foltaire, a KWPN gelding by Voltaire x Afrikaner xx, barely lifted the hind legs. The extended walk showed nice overtrack. The second transition from passage to piaffe was hestitant and led to a short stand still. The passage was well balanced but should have shown more 'passion'. The canter extensions were very nice. In the first pirouette Seidel had some difficulties at the end of the pirouette, but in the second one the jumps were regular. Although Foltaire missed one change in the tempi's every two strides, they were very balanced and well jumped. The last extended trot was run, showing that even though Seidel is a very capable rider, Foltaire is a bit limited in his movements, especially in the trot. The last piaffe-passage on the center line didn't show enough power.

Foltaire is a very correct horse, settled in his movements and exercises. Overall the bay gelding misses a touch of power. The movements can be bigger, the exercises more collected as well as impulsive. Seidel, who is helped by Anabel Balkenhol, does an excellent job on this dutch bred horse. He's a gentle rider with a real feel for his horse.