2005 European Dressage Championships

Grand Prix - Nations' Cup Photo Tour

Anky van Grunsven and Salinero were the undisputed winners of the Grand Prix at the 2005 European Dressage Championships in Hagen. With an immobile halt at X she started her test in which the traversal movements, extensions and passage were the real highlights. The piaffe was rhythmical and powerful but there was still some tension in the piaffe and not all transitions to passage were even. The small hiccup in the single tempi changes was but a minor imperfection to a beautiful, 77.417% earning test.

Hubertus Schmidt and Wansuele Suerte finished in second place with 74.625%. Wansuele looked extremely tender behind in the extended trots, but the mare was just so relaxed, so harmonious. It doesn't get any better than that.

What a delightful horse. Bjorsells Briar is just getting better and maturer by the year. His trot half passes were stunning, the piaffe and passage breath taking. Unfortunately a mistake in the tempi changes every two strides tampered with his score. 74.292% and a third place was the result.

Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte, winners of the 2005 German Dressage Championships, were not the best German pair at the championships. Her 72.833% mark placed her sixth and made her third highest scorer for the German team. The piaffe was the main issue in her ride. It was not fluent and swinging. There was also a loss of impuls in the right pirouette and in the final passage. Nevertheless, the traversal movements were marvellous and the extended trots are superb.

British Carl Hester and Escapado lived up to the expectations and became the anchor rider for his team. There was little tension to be spurred in the sensitive Escapado and a mistake free test earned him 72.792%

Karen Tebar and Falada M exceeded the expectations by far and put down a fabulous ride on her chestnut mare. This French combination rode a very dynamic test with much impulsion (sometimes too much in the passage). Judge Withages gave Falada's final trot extension a 9. The French call Falada "Lolita Magique" because she's such a magical crowd pleaser.

Juan Antonio Jiminez and Guizo in form. With 71.792% they placed 10th, right behind team mate Beatriz Ferrer Salat on Beauvalais.

Team Podium: 2. The Netherlands - 1. Germany - 3. Spain

German Team. Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, Heike Kemmer, Klaus Husenbeth, Hubertus Schmidt and chef d'Equipe Holger Schmezer

P.S.I. eye for perfection. Even the grooms were honoured during the price giving ceremony. Here are the British grooms: Lizzy (Fiona Bigwood), Carolyn (Carl Hester), Kerstin (Emma Hindle) and Sarah (Wayne Channon).

Judges Hanna Valentin and Cara Whitham take photos during the price giving ceremony and compare pictures on their digital cameras.

Back to the Index