The class for four-year-old stallions was won this afternoon by Fürst William Fürst Wilhelm x Lord Sinclair I) with Severo Jurado Lopez.
The striking bay stallion moved seemingly easily throughout the test, which was awarded with a whopping score of 92%. Chairman of the judges Mariette Sanders-Gansewinkel was wildly enthusiastic about the Oldenburger stallion. “This horse has so much potential, you can already see the qualities for the higher levels! In the extended walk the stallion could have showed more overstep, but given this quality he still receives an 8. The light-footed trot gets a 9. The canter is like a textbook example: since we are not allowed to grade an 11, he receives a 10. Severo presented the stallion in a fantastic manner and as the test proceeded, the harmony improved even more: a 9.5. What a talented horse, for his prospectiveness we gave him a 9.5!”
Adelinde Cornelissen steered KWPN-horse Henkie (Alexandro P x Upperville) to an incredible percentage of 91%, resulting in a second place. This bay also received wonderful scores of a 9.5 for the walk and canter, a 9 for the trot and talent and an 8.5 for the harmony. “Henkie showed lots of expression in the trot, his walk is like a textbook example. The canter is fantastic.” The third place was claimed by the British rider Charlotte Fry and Hey Joe (Diego x Lord Leatherdale). This KWPN-bred and at NRPS approved stallion impressed with his trot (9) and canter (9), but had to give in on the walk (6.5). The scoreboard even noted a 9.5 for the submission and for his talent he received an 8.5.
Thus these 3 stallions were invited for the honorary lap, with Fürst Wilhelm in the lead. Severo Jurado Lopez was proud of his bay dressage prospect. “It is an amazing horse, he has so much potential. It’s incredible to ride him: you get in the saddle and he simply gets it done. So much fun!”
Victoria’s Secret (s.Vitalis) wins qualification five-year-olds
45 combinations showed their talent for dressage and treated the audience to a full day’s programme. The best twelve competitors have placed themselves directly for the finals and tomorrow in the small final three more horses will be added to this group. The quality of this group was very good, which became clear as the top 12 all scored more than 80%. Chairman of the judges Francis Verbeek: “We have seen fantastic horses that possess lots of quality. Gorgeous horses that in general showed three good gaits. The top distinguished themselves today in, amongst others, rideability. The winner of today, Victoria’s Secret, is a horse ‘to die for’. She really does not look like a five-year-old: so constant and beautifully ridden, this mare has no weaknesses. She gave us goose bumps. Today she was by far the best, but that’s the thing with young horses: tomorrow it can all be different.” The German rider Beatrice Buchwald and her Vitalis-mare Victoria’s Secret scored 93.40%, that included a 9.5 for the canter and perspective and thereby was far ahead of number two, Guadeloupe-Beau (s.Bordeaux) with Kim van der Velden (89.80%). Francis Verbeek: “The number 2 Guadeloupe-Beau was also pleasantly ridden. Kim really showed how you let a young horse perform a five-year-old test: no pressure, but honest and technically ridden.
With beautiful contact and acceptance and a good length in the neck. Also Lordswood Dancing Diamond is an incredible horse that we marked high on submission and perspective.” Lordswood Dancing Diamond (s.Dancier) was presented by Anne-Kathrin Pohlmeier. The pair scored consistent and their submission and talent was awarded with a 9, bringing the total to 88.40%.
Check full results HERE