Don Martillo with the German rider Ann-Christin Wienkamp (Photo: Hippofoto Team)

Today the program of the Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses kicked off with the first qualification round for five-year-olds. 20 horses made their appearance in the arena, some of them left an outstanding impression.

President of the jury Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode: “As a jury we are very pleased with the group of horses we saw today. Overall, it is noteworthy how well and professional the horses were presented. The riders show their horses to their best abilities in a very natural manner and of course we reward exactly that. As a judge, you always hope to get a few remarkable horses in the ring and yes, these wishes have come true! Especially the top 3 was really impressive. We are very curious about part 2, but today already promises us an exciting final!”

The forecasts are certainly good. The top-score this morning – no less than an average of 9.76! – was awarded to Don Martillo with the German rider Ann-Christin Wienkamp. The Hannover stallion (Don Juan de Hus x Benetton Dream) approaches perfection and received a 10 twice: for the trot and the walk. A 9.2 for the canter and a 9.8 for both the submission and the perspective brought the total to this incredible average.

Andreas Helgstrand (DEN) with the Oldenburg stallion Ferrari Old (Photo: Hippofoto Team)

The talented black stallion won the Bundeschampionate as a four-year-old, then with an average of 8.90. Andreas Helgstrand can also be very satisfied about his performance with the Oldenburg stallion Ferrari Old (Faundation x Blue Hors Hotline). A very consistent performance with an accompanying score: A 9.8 (trot), 8.5 (walk), 9.6 (canter), 9.5 (submission) and a 9.7 (perspective) bring the average to 9.42.

The number 3 in the rankings, the Hannoverian mare Casablanca (Conen x Fidertanz) under the Australian rider Simone Pearce, received a 10 from the jury.

Casablanca and the Australian rider Simone Pearce (Photo: Hippofoto Team)

Her powerful trot was the highest awarded gait, the other grades (8.0 for the walk, an 8.8 for the submission and a 9.5 for the canter and perspective as a dressage horse) got her an average of 9.16 and put her on a third position for now. However, the battle for a place in the final has not finished just yet. Tomorrow it continues at 09.30hrs with the second half of the competitors.

Results