2004 Bundeschampionate

Kaiserkult is "Harmony Pure"

September 6, 2004

"Harmonie Pur." That is how judge Christoph Hess described Kaiserkult, the winner of the 6-year old division at the 2004 Bundeschampionate. Ridden by Dorothee Schneider, Kaiserkult floated through the arena excelling in all three gaits and overall harmony with his rider.

"This was correct, classical rider at the best level. The horse was loose and happy in his work, " Hess explained. The judges praised Schneider's riding skills in the transitions, which were fluent, forward and on the hind legs. Kaiserkult was balanced and straight in his body. The only hiccup in the test was the fourth flying change. "It were probably the rider's nerves that took control there," Hess suggested.

The Trakehner stallion Kaiserkult took the lead in the six-year old division with 9.2. He was uphill, light on the bit, forward and engaged in all three gaits and smooth in the transitions. The dark bay stallion was presented in a correct, classical frame in which looseness and self carriage were prevalent.

Kaiserkult was one of the few 6-year old horses which showed good transitions from medium walk to collected walk into the walk pirouettes. Furthermore, he opened well in the frame in the extensions with engagement from behind and nice light footedness. The horse was not the flamboyant stunning mover, who drugs you with his flash appearance (like Poetin did), but he was the most solid top quality 6-year old of the pack at Warendorf this year.

Based in Framersheim, Germany, Dorothee Schneider runs a breeding and dressage stable called Gestut St. Stephan. She bought Kaiserkult, who is by Van Deyk out of a Gajus dam, as a foal from breeder Dieter Heuchert and trained him to this level herself. Gestut St. Stephan is standing the sire Van Deyk.

Of course the German Trakehner Verband is thrilled with the victory of their antler-branded stallion. It's been four years since a Trakehner took first place in dressage in Warendorf.

In 2000, the black stallion Latimer (Saint Cloud x Caprimond) won the 4-year old division under Hans Jurgen Armbrust. Before Latimer, there was Induc (Marduc x Ibikus) in 1994. Under Armbrust, Induc also won the 4-year old class.

Text and photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No reproduction allowed!

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