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2006 World Championships
for Young Dressage Horses
Sir Donnerhall Finds Silver
Lining
August 8, 2006
 Sir
Donnerhall blew away the competition in the first round
of the 5-year old division. The horse was light
in the hand, active behind in trot but he lacked
bending through the whole body in the serpentine and
circles. The walk was good but could have been more
relaxed. In free walk, he seemed to make bigger steps
with his right leg than his left. The canter work was
delightful. Balanced, controled and showing much self
carriage. The judges were generous and scored him 9.0
for trot, 9.5 for canter, 8.5 for walk, 9.0 for submissiveness
and 9.5 for general impression. The overall mark
was 9.10 which put them far in the lead ahead of the
Danish
mare Treldegards Shantiana.
With a victory in the first round, Möller made the
statement he was digging for gold in the final
round, but
he
found
silver
instead.
On Sunday, Sir Donnerhall entered the ring unconcentrated
and tense. The trot work in the test was ok, but
the horse was unfocused and neighing constantly, making
it hard to have a balanced, consistent trot tour. In
the walk there was tension and he did not show the
overtrack
he has in him. Then in canter, the bomb burst. Sir
Donnerhall made a flying change in the right counter
canter which Möller had to correct twice. In the left
counter canter he changed again. The audience oohed,
Möller knew he lost it but finished his test with much
professionalism.
 The
judges needed some time to decide on the score. They
chose to give Sir Donnerhall 9.2 for trot, 8.5
for canter, 9.0 for walk, 6.5 for submissiveness due
to the made mistakes and the lack of concentration,
and 9.5 for general impression. The total score was
8.54. Many people in audience starting booing and
whistling at the judges and it kept on going for minutes;
almost to the degree of embarrasment. Möller did not
know how to respond to it. The judges vindicated their
score by saying it was still a "high potential horse"
despite him not being "on the job" today. The marks
for the gaits and submissiveness were correct, but
the 9.5 for general impression was far too high because
of the mistakes. Sir Donnerhall found the silver lining,
but it was a gift from the judges instead of an achievement.
Let's take revenge at the Bundeschampionate.
Text
and Photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
- No reproduction allowed without permission
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