August 29, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Charlene Strickland

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

About Andreas Helgstrand, Blue Hors Matine. “It is the highest degree of difficulty, unbelievable, collected trot to passage, and passage to trot. In the half-pass, a very good way the mare crosses her legs. The passage is in rhythm with the uphill tendency. (On the centerline) “A wonderful piaffe-passage transition. This mare is a superstar. “Now the judges have a really difficult job. First place, 81.5 percent. That is 3 percent higher than Heike Kemmer, which is a really good score.”

Christoph Hess commented about Kyra Kyrklund, on Max. “A one-handed passage to C, very, very good, a very high degree and wonderful interpretation of the music. “She is a great lady, a great representative from Scandinavia.”

About Bernadette Pujals, on Vincent. “No one had expected a rider coming from Mexico to the best 15 horses and riders in the world. I was happy the judges gave her high marks in the Grand Prix. “Passage to piaffe, don't ask too much, or the horse will lose his balance. “During the test, she found more and more her rhythm, and the horse became more and more relaxed.”

About Heike Kemmer, on Bonaparte. “Today I feel Bonaparte is more supple and relaxed than in the Grand Prix Special. Very good rhythm, and he maintains the rhythm. “One highlight right after another! Piaffe—very good music for the piaffe. Centerline, passage to extended trot, with one hand, and to halt with one hand. “What a feeling for a rider to ride in the World Equestrian Games at Aachen! How many hours have you trained to have your horse at this level—thousands of hours. And for the best spectators in the world!”

About Jan Brink, on Bjorsells Briar 899. “This horse is a superstar. He has a very active piaffe. From the passage, he comes in to the walk. A lot of riders hat to come from passage to the walk. “The music is not background music. It is really music for the horse. “He had the horse 100-percent in front of his driving aids—and in front of the judges at C. I think he will score 75 to 76 percent. “Yes! Fourth place, 75.8 perecent. That is first-class judging.”