In the upcoming weeks Nadine Capellmann
(on Elvis), Heike Kemmer (on Bonaparte), new comer
Matthias Alexander
Rath (Sterntaler Unicef) and Monica Theodorescu (Whisper)
are currently the top A-listed dressage riders who
need to fight for consistent 72% scores if they want
to go to Hong Kong.
In Hagen, Isabell Werth and Heike
Kemmer proved to be the strongest performers of
the show. Werth and Satchmo scored a near world record
in the Grand Prix Special and Kemmer won the Kur
tour with Bonaparte.
Isabell Werth and Madeleine Winter Schulze's
Satchmo (Sao Paulo x Legat)
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Werth on Satchmo Kemmer on Bonaparte (by Bon Bonaparte) |
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Kemmer shows Bonaparte once in a blue moon. The
elegant chestnut has battled with injuries and
is only shown for team selection when absolutely
necessary. In the kur, he started of quite spookely
and a bit tense but then mellowed out and put down
a world class performance in which the piaffe and
passage were solid. |
Nadine Capellmann and Elvis (by Espri). The chestnut
gelding used to be quite wonky in the piaffe
and single tempi changes but he has become more
confirmed and steady. The wow-effect of his extraordinary
passage and extensions have been replaced by
a less spectacular but much more appreciated
confidence and solidity. |
Monica Theodorescu and Whisper (by Welt Hit I).
Classical dressage the way it is and should be.
This pair is a pleasure to watch and is gaining strength
and balance in the Grand Prix movement with each
outing. |
A typical non-smiling Capellmann face.
Loosen
up, you are riding one of the best horses in the
world! Where's is that smile ???????!!!!!! |
This is how we like to see it!
A smiling Monica having fun on Whisper! |
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Everybody gathered round the show ring to watch
Matthias Rath perform on stepmom Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff's
Sterntaler (by Sion). Their Grand Prix ride contained
a few communication errors in the zig zig and
a piaffe showing what
some call "The
Rusty Twitch" (one leg kicking out high in the piaffe).
The Special was much better. As Sterntaler has basic
gaits for a 10, he scores ultimate marks in the extensions
and walk. Rath did a wonderful test showing nerves
of steel; only the contact with the bit was too
delicate. |
If there is one horse - not ridden by a Dutch
or German rider- that could win an individual medal
at an Olympics or a World Championships', it would
be Laura Bechtolsheimer's Mistral Hojris (by Michellino).
Laura was scoring 77% marks in the Grand Prix Special
until she made a few mistakes. This horse can challenge
Satchmo and Salinero in his performance if the ride
stays fault-free. |
Laura's parents Wilfried and Ursula Bechtolsheimer
recently acquired Andretti HRH (by Aarking xx) from
Italian Anna Paprocka-Campanella as Laura's second
Grand Prix horse (following the retirement of Douglas
Dorsey). Not chossing to play it safe and stay home
for a long time, Laura opted to throw herself in
the ring with this horse straight away and learn
as they go. There is much potential in this pair
so keep an eye on them! |
Australian Hayley Beresford on the Lusitano stallion
Relampago de Retiro. Beresford is working at
Isabell Werth's stable in Rheinberg where she
rides 8 horses a day. Isabell can be seen in
the background. |
American Heather Blitz has also relocated to Europe.
She works in Denmark and is now showing her Danish
Warmblood gelding Otto (by Rambo) at Grand Prix
level.
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Another ex-patriot: Canadian Christilot Boylen-Hanson
on Mr Hermosilla's black gelding Gachino (by
Gardez) |
Belgian Jeroen Devroe earned an individual Olympic
qualification score in Hagen and will head to Hong
Kong. |
Jeanette Haazen on the Belgian warmblood stallion
Quicksilver (Latano x Touch of Fairway xx) |
Haazen on her number one Grand Prix horse Nartan
(by Jazz) |
Australian Mary Hanna on Port Said |
Hubertus Schmidt riding Mary Hanna's Rambo. |
Jane Hannigan on Maksymilian (by Elcaro) |
George Williams on Rocher (by Rolls Royce) |
Carl Hester took over the ride on Dolendo (by Donnerhall)
from his partner Spencer Wilton with the goal
to qualify
for the British Olympic team.
Right: Emma Hindle and Lancet (by Wenzel) have
secured their spot on the British team together
with
Laura Bechtolsheimer |
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Above and Right: Helen Langehanenberg on a real
lady: Oldenburg mare Responsible |
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Chinese Olympic candidate: Lina Liu on Piroschka |
Australian Olympic hopeful Brett Parberry on Victory
Salute. The horse has a superb piaffe and passage
but is too stressed to come to a good performance.
Tension from his mouth to his tail needs to be fixed
first to get high marks. |
Mexican Bernadette Pujals on Vincent |
What a difference with three years ago. At the
2005 European Championships, Rigoletto (by Rubinstein)
was already a Danish team horse but the bay gelding
has improved tremendously, gaining in strength. He
is now a steady 70% scoring mount! |
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Wow! what a difference four weeks
of training can make. At the 2008 World Cup Finals,
Susan Duddy's
Donna Carrerra was uneven in the passage and lost
many points because of it. Now Rozzie Ryan has
trained
for
four weeks
with Tineke Bartels in The Netherlands and the
difference is huge. The mare is really progressing
and rose to the occasion
and finished
third in the Grand Prix Kur with 70.40%. |
Another Brit going for an Olympic team spot: Anna
Ross-Davies on Liebling II. |
The horse with the best passage of the show: Clearwater,
under Anne van Olst |
Van Olst's Dexter (by Traumdeuter) |
Brigitte Wittig on Charatan (by Consul x Bismarck) |
Japanese Mieko Yagi on Dow Jones. They are already
qualified for the Olympics. Yagi trains with Hubertus
Schmidt. |
Bularussian Svetlana Yevshchik on the Belarussian
gelding Dombai (by Bec xx x Difer).
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Dr. Ulf Möller and Swiss judge
Beatrice Burchler-Keller |
Show organizer Ullrich Kasselmann gets honoured
for his hospitality |
Dr. Möller Junior assists with the drag |
A champion's sash. |