2002 World Equestrian Games

Grand Prix Test Group One - September 11, 2002

Ferro and Weyden Did Not Highlight for Silver

The battle for bronze is now on between Spain, Denmark and The Netherlands. On the fourth spot was the Dutch Coby van Baalen with her stallion Olympic Ferro. Her score of 72.520% was the first to beat Blinks from her number one spot in the second half of today's Grand Prix.

Olympic Ferro was sharp on the aids but gave a nervous, unharmonious impression. Even though his trot work has slightly improved and looks less passagelike all the time, he has not warmed my heart. His piaffe and passage are delightful. They show great suspension and a hindquarters that slide underneath the body while doing the collected movements, but Van Baalen's aids are constantly visible and there is never a steady, light contact but repetitively a short yanking at the reins while her legs swing to keep him going. Ferro made only one major mistake in his test by changing lead before his right canter pirouette.

The other Dutch rider for the day, Gonnelien Rothenberger, had a dull ride on her husband's stallion Jonggor's Weyden. All the extensions were mediocre and the combinations never excelled in any exercise. Furthermore, Rothenberger has this tedious tic of laying in the saddle instead of sitting straight. Even though the total image is one of peace, the combination was today just not good enough to contribute points for a Dutch silver medal. The score of 68.200% and a tenth place were a generous donation from the judges.