August 29, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Charlene Strickland

WEG Radio: Dressage Freestyle Insights on Channel 91.8 by Christophe Hess

We quoted from the WEG Radio commentator about Steffen Peters. We've since learned who reported so expertly: dressage judge Christoph Hess. During the entire 4 hours of competition, he supplied masterful comments in English, on channel 91.8.

These remarks from a renowned dressage maestro gave listeners a unique appreciation of the demands of top-class dressage—and also a clinic at the highest level. Hess combined praise for the riders with on-the-spot critiques of every moment of every freestyle. Sitting in the main stadium's judge's tower, he pinpointed every mistake. He also advised every rider what to do next, and cautioned them not to forget the required movements. And even better, for the top 6 contenders, he was able to predict their marks and placings just about 100 percent—amazing from his vantage point high above the arena!

Of course, he'd judged three of these top 15 horses 3 weeks earlier, in the German championships. He is familiar with the international riders and horses. And in his career, he has judged thousands of tests at the highest standard. We're sharing a few choice remarks on the riders familiar to you in North America. (We don't have space for a verbatim transcript of his wonderful commentary.)

About Guenter Seidel, on Aragon. “Guenter was born in Bavaria, and passed his rider examination in Munich. He is able to ride at the same level as Edward Gal.” (Seidel followed Gal in the start order.) “He starts with passage, into piaffe—done so all judges could see from the long to the short sides. This is absolutely world-class. “He has interesting lines he is riding."