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2007
World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Vivaldo Redeems Himself in the 5-year old
Consolation Finals
August 3, 2007
 The
KWPN licensed stallion Vivaldo and rider Mirelle
van Kemenade-Witlox
took their chance for redemption by winning the
5-year old Consolation Finals at the 2007 World
Championships
for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany,
on August 3, 2007.
The pair had a dramatic qualification
ride as the super talented bay stallion (by
Polansky x Montecristo) did not show off
his top quality gaits being
totally
tense, unfocused and unresponsive to his riders
aids. They finished last with a 5.90 in that
class, but got a chance to make it all right
in the consolation
finals. And that's what they did! |
 In
the consolation finals on Friday afternoon, Van
Kemenade was able to keep the lid
on the cooker and, though Vivaldo was whinnying
occasionally during his ride, he stays alert to
his rider's aids and did not panic in the impressive
WM-ring. Van Kemenade was able to sit properly
during this ride -- no longer were her legs stretched
forwards like stiletto's and her hands high in
the air to control the head -- but her seat was
more relaxed and she followed the movements of
the horse. Vivaldo, who is owned by his breeder
TH Mr. van Brenk and stallion station Van Bommel,
showed a very lightfooted and elastic trot and
a canter
with
a lovely moment
of suspension. The walk could have been more ground
covering but improved on the second diagonal in
the extensions. There was a small hiccup in the
rein back. The judges scored all three gaits 8.5
and gave the combination an 8.0 for submission
and 8.4 for overall impression. Their total mark
of 8.38 strongly put Vivaldo at the top of the
leader board as sole horse to score above 8 in
the consolation finals. |
 The
talented young Grand Prix rider Pernille Andre
became the runner up in the consolation finals.
Aboard the Swedish bred Wennica (Longchamp x Warkant),
Andre scored 7.96 in total. The huge mare, bred
and owned by Stuteri Stubbang, is not the fastest
mover behind but her balance and clear rhythm are
exemplary. The contact with the bit was light,
steady and correct in all three paces and Andre
was able to execute a lovely, flowing test that
earned a score high enough to ride in the Finals
on Saturday. |
 The
Australian Maree Tomkinson tied in second place
with Andre on a score of 7.96. Her Oldenburg mare
Diamantina (by Diamond Hit x Campari M) is a real
beauty queen and charms the crowds and judges.
She is not yet very strong in the hind legs but
is a graceful mover and Tomkinson tried hard to
let the mare's natural talent for dressage appear
in the ring. Owned by Howard Sultana, Diamantina's
strongest gait was the canter with a fantastic
bounce and superbly engaged hind leg. The second
place gave Tomkinson and Diamantina a ticket into
the individual finals as well.
Text and photos copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
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