story – Christopher Hector
photos – Kenneth Braddick dressage-news.com
These championships have been an overwhelming triumph for the stallion, Blue Hors Zack and his sons, Zonik and Sezuan. The very first horse into the arena, the mare, Straight Horse Ascenzione (Blue Hors Zack / Don Schufro) is indeed a full sister to Sezuan. Beautifully ridden by Helen Langhanenberg, the petite, refined mare is something of a contrast to her famous brother. The work was like the mare, sweet, precise and best of all, Helen was not asking too much. Trot – 9.2, walk – 8.5, canter 8.8, submission – 9, perspective – 9.2 for 8.94 and they finish the final in equal fifth place.
Helen and Ascenzione
In the top ten, there were three by Zonik (Blue Hors Zack / Romanov) along with Helen’s mare by Zack.
Andreas Helgstrand’s gelding, Zhaplin Langholt (Zonik / Stedinger) is very beautiful, but I thought the trot a little too passagey, and there was a tendency to the legs to be moving faster in front, slower behind. Christoph Hess on the microphone was enthusiastic which I guess is no surprise: “He rode in a very good harmony, the horse was able to trust him, he had the right feeling to ask but not over-ask, this is the secret of how to ride all tests, but especially young horse classes.” Third place with 9.8 for trot, 8.3 for walk, 9.5 – canter, 9.4 – submission, perspective – 9.7 = 9.34.
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Destacado and Matthias
Destacado FRH (Desperados / Londonderry) may not have won the title, but I guess there were a few mare owners thinking hard about the handsome chestnut for their mare. Matthias Rath is riding the horse in a lovely natural frame, proper medium diagonal, unhurried, unforced. There is so much harmony, maybe the work is just a little too laid back. The crowd is applauding as they come down the centre line, nice that they can appreciate correct, under-stated work. The horse will lose marks on the submission for his flying changes but the rest of the work is just fine. Trot – 9.3, walk – 10, canter – 8.9, submission – 9, perspective – 9.4 = 9.32 and fourth place.
The feeling in our little press gallery is that Revolution has the championship done and dusted, me, I am not so sure, mainly because I have already contacted my friend Hans-Heinrich Brüning who bred Zucchero (Zonik / Prince Thatch xx), and arranged to do an interview with his son, Hannes, after the final, and I want to be interviewing the breeder of the winner…
Andreas and Revolution
It is no surprise that Andreas has the dark bay stallion Revolution (Rocky Lee / Rouletto) up and firing, the horse is so on the aids, the test is great until oops, there is a mistake on the first flying change, the second is a bit sticky, the third is okay while the fourth is decidedly late. Christoph pays tribute to “unbelievable good gaits, look he is so relaxed after this test,” but they pay the price for the changes. Trot – 10, walk – 9, canter – 9.6, submission – 8.8 (ouch!), perspective – 9.8 = 9.4 and it is there for Frederic Wandres to win with Zucchero if the young man can hold his nerve…
The stallion is doing his bit, so on the aids, really with the rider. It’s a delicate trot for such a big guy, a seamless flow across the trot diagonal. The horse gets a bit apprehensive in the walk pirouettes but Frederic keeps his cool and finds a way through and into his wonderful big canter, the changes are fine, and the crowd starts its applause on the trot diagonal before they even make it to the final centre line! Trot – 9.7, walk – 9.4, canter – 9.7, submission – 9.7, perspective – 9.8 for 9.66 and Zucchero is the new champion…
Yeah, and my interview is looking pretty good.
