The Golden Kids Cup, an FEI Dressage Pony freestyle competition, is a dream chance for pony riders -- especially girls -- to win a prestigious ribbon and dress up in some fancy costume. It's a feast for the eyes every time. Some of the participants were:
Lena Rom and Penelope B rode the test of their lifetime and were rewarded with tremendous applaus and the silver ribbon. |
Svenja Bachmann and her chesnut German Reitpony Van Knuff finished third in the ranking. |
Vivian Scheve & Schapur |
Carlotta Hassenbürger & Didjeri-Doo |
Viktoria Braun on Dein Freund |
Michelle Frenzen & Dance of Joy |
Florine Kienbaum and Donnertraum won the competition -- literally -- single-handedly. Dressed up as Indiana Jones, Florine demonstrated some real coolness -- not only did she ride without spurs and whip, she also rode parts of her test holding the reins in one hand. Bravo!
Expert Platforms
Many expert platforms made this Equitana such an awesome
assembly of knowledge (even if some of it was controversial):
Isabell Werth and Wolfram Wittig's presentation of the steps of dressage
training from a four-year-old to an accomplished dressage horse drew a
huge crowd. Isabell talked about what she looks for in a young horse
aboard 4-year-old Lezard: good impetus in the trot, cadence in canter,
elasticism and quick reactions. Her stable rider Mathias Bouten showed
5-year-old Flatley. Aboard 7-yr-old Don Johnson, Isabell demonstrated
one of the many challenges a rider may have to meet when training young
horses: "At first, I as a rider listened to the horse to find out when
he was ready for a flying change. Now he must learn to listen to me and
do the change at my aid." Interestingly enough, Werth advocates letting
young horses -- very young horses even -- learn the flying changes
first. "It is my experience that it's easier for them to do the changes
first and then learn how to carry themselves in the counter-canter
later." |
Flatley |
Don Johnson |
| Finally, aboard Burgpokal winner El Santo NRW she showed the
transition from advanced level to Grand Prix.
|
Christoph Hess did several of his "Besser Reiten" clinics in Essen. |
Gerd Heuschmann & Klaus Balkenhol |
Ingrid Klimke and Michael Ripploh |
Philippe Karl |
Master farrier Uwe Lukas |
Horsemanship advocate Peter Kreinberg |
Trainer and author Michael Putz recommended starting young dressage horses with a jumping saddle. |
A rider demonstrating that basic dressage can be ridden in a show jumping saddle. |
Helle Kleven demonstrated the basics of physiotherapy
Right: Author Isabelle von Neumann-Cosel (right) courting a potential new reader
|
|
Accidentally, "balance in motion" is also the motto of Eckard Meyners (below right), whose most famous student is Heike Kemmer.
Isabelle von Neumann-Cose'ls co-author Susanne von Dietze (below left) demostrated "balance in motion"
|
|
|
Peter Pfister did some impressive demonstrations of trust between horse and rider |
Honza Bláha's horsemanship act is very charming |
When Blaha did an interview outside the great arena later, one of his ponies just waited next to him without halter or bridle
 |
