U.S. League Finals for the 2005 World Cup Finals

Respect for Debbie and Brentina

There could not have been more than two spectators who would bet against Debbie McDonald and Brentina (by Brentano II x Lungau)—and those two probably want to buy oceanfront property in the Sahara Desert.

This pair was just a pleasure. This was the debut for the new freestyle—the tone set at the beginning and end, as the strains of Aretha Franklin’s “(All I Want Is a Little) RESPECT” played as the pair entered and finished.

Debbie’s supporters have made clear their feelings that this pair represents the harmony which is supposed to be the hallmark of true dressage, and that the pair have been slighted to some extent by the judges who reward sheer brilliance at the expense, perhaps, of some rhythm and partnership.

In any case, the pair entered at passage, made one of several quarter-turns (the new movement that several freestyles featured, quarter-turn in passage or piaffe into something else). In Debbie’s freestyle, this became half-pass in trot, into a complete canter circle of two-tempi’s, perfectly in time to the music, followed by gorgeous pirouettes. The piaffe and passage had more energy and lift than I’ve seen from this pair in some time, the mare in true rhythm and really coming off the ground…the entire performance just a delight—and one can be reasonably sure that Debbie left plenty in the tank, for the REAL performance in a few weeks in Las Vegas.

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