Story – Christopher Hector and Photos – Roslyn Neave
Fasine and Isabel Bache
Okay, Fasine (Fürst Romancier / Sir Donnerhall I) and Isabel Bache fooled us in the first qualifier. I liked the mare, liked her very much, but there was just a hint of the produced, the artificial, about her way of going. The judges were hard on the pair and they missed the cut for the final, and had to get there the tough way – winning the Kleines (or Consolation) Final, to make the final round.
And how! Isabel and Fasine were the first out and blew the final apart with a test that was all class and charisma. Sorry we ever doubted you Fasine, that fragile beauty is just how you go. Everything was perfect, Isabel sits sweetly in the saddle (and NEVER leans back), the contact is so soft and giving, the rhythm and balance so wonderful.
Christoph Hess is retiring from the DOKR in May 2016 and this is his last stint in the commentary box. He will be a hard act to replace, he has an infectious enthusiasm that can set and event alight, and right now he is in overdrive: the judges give 9 for trot, 9.5 for walk, 9 for canter, 9 for Durchlässigkeit, and a 10 for potential. That adds up to a 9.3 and really the Championship is over before it has really begun.
Carola and Lady Loxley M
The only other major source of excitement is when that huge black storm cloud hovering over the warm up arena is going to dump its excess moisture on us all… It is looking ominous as Carola Koppelmann, another truly exquisite rider, starts her test on Lady Loxley M (Lord Loxley / Abanos). The black mare is ever so sweet but perhaps lacks a little scope. Still with an 8.5 for trot, 9 for walk, 8.5 for canter, 9 for Durchlässigkeit and 9 for potential, they finish on 8.8 and take home the silver medal.
I have never been a fan of Damon Hill as a breeding stallion, for me he is too long and flat in the body, and his offspring seem to vary widely in type. Damon’s Dejaron should be one of the pretty ones, out of a Trakehner mare by the very pretty French Anglo Arab, Matcho, but he is not. The stallion is a big, athletic type with a back that is longer than his dad’s, and to make it look worse, he is jacked up in front by his rider, Heiner Schiergen. Still the judges like it: 8 for trot, 9 for walk, 9 for canter, 8.5 for Durchlässigkeit, and 8.5 for potential. Enough for the bronze.
Damon’s Dejaron and Heiner Schiergen
Fasine is an example of the new breed of Warmblood – the modern young horse specialist. Her sire, Fürst Romancieer’s career peaked as a five-year-old, with fourths at the World Young Horse Champs and the Bundeschampionate. His sire, Fürst Heinrich won a World Young Dressage Horse Championship in 2003, and died two years later… Fasine’s dam sire, Sir Donnerhall is by the original Young Dressage Horse Specialist sire, Sandro Hit who set the trend of winning young horse classes then retiring to stud. Sir Donnerhall himself won at the Bundeschampionate in 2006, and was second in the World Championships for five-year-old horses, that same year. He too quit the competition scene after his young horse triumphs.
Will Fasine go on to the big sport? I guess not, most likely she will be sold at the PSI auction for yet another record price, and disappear forever…
Isabel Bache worked for one of the early stars at the Bundeschampionate, Holga Finken for 15 years before moving to Paul Schockemöhle’s yard in Mühlen in September last year, and it was nice to see Holga in the trainer’s box enjoying his protegé’s success. In truth she has a lot of Holga’s flamboyant style in her riding, but toned down in line with the current fashion for more natural presentation. It is a great mix.
And yes it did pour – Stefanie Wolf and Saphira Royal NG (San Amour / Monteverdi) copped the worst of it, and still came fourth…