2005 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses

Belgian Selection Trial: No Doubt About Daianira and Sierappel

Only six horses in the 6-year old division and it was crystal clear which two horses would qualify for Verden. Daianira van de Helle, who placed sixth last year in the 2004 World Championships, and Sierappel were the lucky two.

I was very interested to see Daianira van de Helle (Dream of Glory x Ritual) go again because I hadn't seen her since the 2004 Belgian Championships and there, the bay Hanoverian mare definitely had an off-weekend. The first time I saw this mare go was when she was 4-year and she immediately stole my heart. Such self-carriage, such light feeted gaits, so naturally uphill. Daianira is a once in a life time horse with electric gaits and the right temperament for the FEI movements. In the Young Horse Test, however, this stunner has to keep her cool in order to excel. Luckily this was the case at the selection trial. Daianira showed excellent balanced trot work. Her walk, her least powerful gait, had improved considerably and she solidly showed one hoof overtrack. The canter was lovely and three flying changes - though a bit high - were ok, except for the fourth one which was late behind. Vicky Smits and Daianira van de Helle scored 80.40, the highest mark of the day.

The second 6-year old to qualify for Verden was Sierappel, a KWPN stallion by Montecristo x Flemmingh. Presented by Jeroen Devroe, Sierappel has undergone a huge transformation. The extreme body tension he showed as a 4 and 5-year old has vaporized and the horse had gained so much muscle. His trot was good, nicely balanced, well engaged. The extended walk was large but a bit hasty. Sometimes the clear 3-beat rhythm in the canter as well as the balance got lost. The flying changes were high and the fourth one was late to the aid, but correctly performed. Devroe and Sierappel scored 76.20.

"I only have him in training four months ago," Devroe told Eurodressage, "and he's breeding three days a week. When I was in Bern competing Paganini, he didn't eat for almost a week. He lost much weight, but we finally got him eating again on Saturday. We have to add honey and apples to his feed though." Sierappel's transformation/recovery is remarkable. The horse seems at peace, relaxed and happy for the first time in his life. It is as if he can finally breathe.

Wilfried Mondelaers and Warkant van het Gestelhof (Ferro x Furioso) placed third with 73.80. In the trot and canter, Warkant shows super potential with much rhythm and swing in the body, but his walk will be his achilles heel forever. Mondelaers does his best to cover up the pacing by rushing Warkant through the extended walk, but in the collected walk in between the pirouettes, the pacing is undeniable. "He scores 8s for trot and canter, but when you see the walk, the score drops to a 5," Withages explained.

With Hennessy Xo, Aros, Daianira van de Helle and Sierappel selected for Verden, Belgium will be able to present a team of high quality horses that can take up a good fight against Germany and Holland.

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