2005 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses

Belgian Selection Trial: Eye Catching Eye Motes

There were plenty of eye catchers in the selection trials with big, flashy movements that one first impression make your jaws drop, but after a closer look several flaws were to be detected in their tests, which resulted in a relatively low score.

Much was expected of Taikoen, a KWPN branded Jazz x Zeoliet offspring, who won almost all Cup of Belgium shows last year as a 4-year old. Under Werner van de Brande, this massive black horse entered the ring with much flair. His gaits were active and engaged, but soon enough it became obvious that he was totally against the leg. He pricked his ears backwards when the rider give a leg aid and the contact with the bit was very unsteady and messy. Taikoen has much potential, but Van den Brande was unable to show it at the trial.

Another renowned young horse in Belgian is the Hanoverian War and Peace (Weltmeyer x Matcho AA). Rider and owner Dominique Mohimont pushed this black gelding over the limit in the trot work and rushed her horse through the movements. In the extended trot the horse did extend in the frame, but his hind legs got slow and did not push enough. The extended walk showed good overtrack, but he was a bit uneven in the front legs. Especially the counter canter has to be praised in this combination. The horse maintained his balance and kept a good rhythm, even though it could have been more uphill. They scored 74.00 points and ranked fifth.

By the way, the color black is getting extremely boring to watch. 10 out of 12 5-year olds were very dark bay or black. It was a pleasure to see a chestnut like Anais add colour to the scene.

Text and Photos copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No Reproduction Allowed
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