Christopher Hector reports on the dressage at Aachen
Normally, the four star dressage at Aachen is a bit of a non-event, and if the dreaded lag is catching up, a chance to get home at a respectable time. Nice plan, until you look at the start list to see that some of the world’s truly great combinations are on show in the traditionally less important contest.
Franziskus gets a spook when the crowd applauds that famous family name, but Ingrid has him quickly under control, and as in the warm up the stallion looks finer, softer, the huge scope looks harnessed, in the nicest possible way, now. The piaffe is not wonderful but the extended trot and the big canter are super. The ones are looking great, big and expressive, but that mistake two-thirds across the line hurts – 4.8. The final passage is really impressive, and with a score of 71.783, Franziskus would probably have won, had this been an ordinary year but it is not.
It is way nicer than the Dutch package of tension that is Everdale and Charlotte Fry, tail swishing, neck lathered… what hypocrites these judges are, oh we hate that spectacular stuff, we are all for correctness and harmony, but channel a bit of Anky and Salinero and they start throwing marks around like confetti at a wedding. Score 71.913.
The contrast could not be greater than a truly exhilarating Harmony’s Duval and Adrienne Lyle. The big grey is by Rousseau but has thrown to his dam-sire, the Holsteiner, Riverman. The horse is naturally uphill and wonderfully engaged. Adrienne is one of the super stars of the (near) future. Lovely passage, fine piaffe, the canter is lovely, so light to the ground for such a big horse, this time all five judges go over 75 and Everdale is just a bad dream.
Adrienne Lyle and Harmony’s Duval (photo Dressage-News.com)
Sönke Rothenberger is a great rider, but he is assisted by the fact that Cosmo is in the last group, the announcer has kindly reminded the judges that these are the top ranked FEI combinations in the class, but it was not necessary, it’s happy hour in the judges box. Cosmo’s halt is not quite square, what the heck, 7.8. The work is beautiful, as clean and crisp and exhilarating as the air of an autumn morning. So clean, so correct and the eights are rolling out, an especial highlight are the pirouettes, so tight, so balanced, for a pair of 8.8s. The crowd is hushed, concentrating, they know they are seeing something very special. They finish with a pair of 9s for passage, and four out of five judges are over the 80 mark. They will win this class.
Sonke and Cosmo – what a great test! (photo Dressage-News.com)
Isabell Werth’s Emilio is a rather old fashioned looking Westfalien, he’s built a bit high behind and his work is a little forehandy, still Isabell is a fearsome competitor although it does look as if she is working hard. Still it is happy hour and there are two 80s for a 79.435. Eat your heart out Adrienne. This time the spectator judges are rather more on the mark with a 75.453.
Emilio and Isabell (photo Dressage-News.com)
Story continues below advertisement
We all love Cassidy, the balance is perfect, the big trot so effortless, and Cathrine Dufour such a stylish rider. Lovely rhythmic passage but the gelding is getting a little wide behind. Super ones, cool pirouettes, a lovely test. Was it better than Emilio, yes, better than Harmony’s Duval, no. 78.043 into third. The spectators have him second on 77.098 and once again better judges than the judges.
Cathrine and Cassidy (photo Dressage-News.com)
Benjamin Wendl’s Daily Mirror is such a spectacular mover and Benjamin such a fine rider, they are so so close to making it, but the work is always just a touch uneven, great then a little normal, great again. Final result 76.283 into 5th place, this time the spectators blot their copybook and have them second, I guess it is happy hour for the fans too, certainly they have seen a great class…
If you would like to join me at Aachen next year, find out about our Aachen + tour here
