The 2014 WEG in Normandy, remembering the performances…
The crowd just loves José Antonio Garcia Mena and his PRE stallion, Norte Lovera, and cheer again as he goes into fourth on 72.414. I love it too, the horse looks comfortable, the rider enjoying himself, isn’t this what dressage is supposed to be about? Isabell Werth told us he has worked with her and helped her with piaffe with some of her horses.
Isabell Werth and Bella Rose, the stars of the future are first out. They look a bit tentative on the wet surface for the extended trot, settles, trademark Isabell’s great half passes, one little skip in the second diagonal, suddenly we are up in the 80s, super passage and piaffe, this baby horse so clear and calm in her head, that’s great training and a great rider. How tight and perfect the pirouettes and the extended trot better, more connected, more even. My god, the transition into piaffe on the centre line is sublime, 8.9 is mean! A truly great test. 81.529, could easily have been paid a few more percentage points. Sadly the magnificent Bellissimo daughter has had soundness problems and has not been seen out competing again. BUT Isabell has her new star, Weihegold and will try to equal her Olympic and European Olympic Gold Medals.
Laura Graves is truly a startling addition to the world of dressage, her horse, Verdades is no breath-taking superstar, but honest as, and sweetly ridden by the young American. The work is bright, shiny, fresh and forward. So nice when the horse spooks a bit on the dill behind the camera who steps out of the line, Laura re-assures him, they hurt her on the score but they shouldn’t have. A lovely test but of course it doesn’t score enough – 74.871 – and why? Laura and Verdades will be up for selection for Tryon, and is sure to lead Team USA.
Helen Langehangenberg and Damon Hill NRW. The halt is not square but off he flows into that wonderful trot, and this time the hind end is truly engaged. He hasn’t finished his trot work, but he has already grabbed the lead from Bella Rose. Fab passage but 7.9 is generous for the piaffe, more super passage, 8.6, a truly great walk for an 8.5, 7.6 for another shoddy piaffe and it’s into the canter work just behind the mare now. Such a brilliant soft rider and her hands never move. Oops a mistake in the ones and she still gets 7. Great centre line but oops a repeat of Aachen he stops early, down to 5.6, will the ‘baby’ mare end in the lead, even a 9 for the rider can’t tip the scales, 81.357 and Helen slips into 2nd behind Isabell. Helen has a new ride in the stallion Damsey and will be trying for team selection.
Grandioso and Jose Daniel Martin Dockx, cleverly stop in front of the scary camera at C and the guy moves it a bit while the horse stands. Such a neat little horse and another Iberian that can really move, 8+ for the piaffe, and they are moving up the placings, and the Spanish making a serious bid for a medal. Lovely twos, super ones, great pirouette, great test, the rider is waving and blowing kisses to the crowd, they love him and so they should, 74.243.
Next came Charlotte and Valegro…
Every time they come into the arena, Charlotte and Valegro, they are so special, unique, the ultimate combination. An 8.6 for the halt and they are into the lead. 8.8 for the extended trots. 9.1 for the half pass. Absolutely still in the halt, 8.9 for the piaffe – 9 for the ones, 8.8 pirouette right, 9.2 for the rider is mean. This has been one of the greatest Grand Prix tests of all time – 85.271.
