Aachen Special

Words Chris Hector, images Rebecca Ashton

Fendi and Sönke Rothenberger, a class act…

Now we get the chance to see the real Fendi, not perhaps at his brilliant best, but calm, focused, this really is a class act. The Rothenberger team have always timed their campaigns to perfection, that’s why the sudden shift four-star to five when Ingrid Klimke had to withdraw Franziskus, may have had something to do with a less than stunning Grand Prix. The Fendi test we all should be waiting for, is same time, same place, next year in the run-up to the Paris Games, then watch out for Sönke and his wonderful bay gelding. 74.83 this time…?

Almost everyone who knows anything is commenting how all-over-the-place the judging has been at Aachen this year, the judges obviously have no clear idea of what they are looking for.

No-where is this more glaringly apparent than in the treatment of Fendi, he is grossly underscored for an ever-so-correct test, While Andreas Helgstrand and Jovian are wildly over scored  – 75.404 – for a test that shows serious problems of balance and contact. In fact only one of the five judges, the German, Ulrike Neville scored Fendi better than Jovian.

Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino

Thank god for Therese Nilshagen and Dante Weltino, with a lovely flowing test they restore some respectability to the leader board. Score 76.234 to take the lead… This time the British judge, Isobel Wessels is the odd one out, she still has Andreas and Jovian her number one, with Therese way down in fifth.

But not for long. Isabell Werth is a Special specialist, and Quantaz loves the opportunity to really showcase his passage. They are over 80 before the walks pull them right down to 5^th, and Isabell has to fight her way. back Another 8 for passage has got them going, 8 for a half pass,  oh oh a mistake in the ones for a 5.6 and they are back in fifth spot. Great pirouette but another mistake in the ones keeps them down.  74.734.

Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth, looked as though they could win…

Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth, for a while it looks as if they are going to win this one easily. Great passage, wonderful piaffe, they look comfortable and stylish then it all starts to fall apart, 4.8 for collected canter, mistake in twos, but 8 for the ones,  then a 4.8 for the next one tempis. They finish with an 8.3 extended trot to end on 76 just behind Therese.

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep, look at that cadenced power trot! Passage is fine, I’d still like the neck could be a little longer and the croup a little (lot?) lower. Two superb pirouettes, this has been a brilliant test from a consummate professional. First 80+ for the day – 80.787.

Nanna and Zepter

Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Zepter love the horse, love the rider, 8.2 for half pass and for the  first time she outscores Charlotte, perhaps the judges have had a little chat about Zepter after the GP.  It seems sticky coming out of piaffe, and the ‘passage’ for a while is more like advancing piaffe. The flying changes are big and expressive, 8.1 for her ones and the Dane is briefly in the lead,  Charlotte’s back in front, but wow what a test.  80.340. Second with all save Ulrike Nivelle who has her first,

Jessica von Bredow Werndl and Dalera. The mare hasn’t got Zepter’s power but she has a special sort of grace.  8.1 for an extended  trot, 8.6 for a transition and she’s joined the 80 club, 8.7 passage. We’ve seen three wonderful tests brilliantly ridden, right now Jessy is 3^rd,  8.5 passage, 8.1 for huge languid 2s, 8.6. Hello there’s a whoopsie in the ones, this being Aachen all the crowd goes ooooh, they know their dressage, and 4.4  puts them back to 3^rd  . Still they light up the score board with the last few movements, and  81.021 puts them  into first.

Charlotte Fry and Everdale. Last to go, high behind, hollow back,  really short and tight in front., Will the judges  notice? Seems not the 8s are racking up, there’s that protesting tail again, do the five wise persons see that? Only 006% off the lead, 79.574  into third, should never have been that close.

Okay judge bashing is easy, but this particular crew at Aachen make it necessary. There is a big problem in the sport and it is time to confront it. Here at the world’s most prestigious horse show,  only two of the five thought Dalera the winner, two of the five thought Imhotep the winner,  while Isobel Wessels had Everdale as her number one…