Rio 2016 Olympic Team Dressage, Day 1 - Grand Prix

If you want to know about every or any ride from yesterday's first day of Olympic Grand Prix competition, here's the full run down!

Suzanne Hearn & Remmington: 65.343%

• Hearn rode Remmington in a frame that was nicely up and open in the throatlatch, though sometimes Hearn’s soft adjustments would make the horse tilt a little. The first extended trot was rather irregular. The trot half-passes lacked energy and didn’t go all the way to the rail at B. The piaffe was a bit slow, but clearly diagonal and springy. The extended walk needed more impulsion, but collected was clear and relaxed. The horse’s passage had rather limited elevation, though it improved after the second piaffe. Hearn had trouble getting the twos going, and when she did they jumped quite a bit from side to side. The canter zig-zag was energetic, but the changes were flat. There was another error in the ones. The first canter pirouette was controlled, but not uphill, while for the second, the horse turned around his middle rather than around a carrying hindleg. The final centerline was pleasant, with Remmington’s head just wobbling a bit from side to side.

Valentina Truppa & Chablis: 65.971%

• Chablis looked bouncy and energetic entering the arena, but Truppa appeared not to ask for any extended trot across any of the diagonals. The trot half-passes were flowing, but Truppa rode them by cheating a bit and letting the haunches lag. Chablis’s passage was springy and light, but in piaffe, the horse never found his rhythm, and for the second Truppa didn’t get even 12 mediocre steps, giving away a lot of points. The twos jumped brightly off the ground and the zig-zag was expertly ridden. The ones has air-time, but didn’t fill up much of the diagonal. Truppa didn’t get much collection for the pirouettes, so they were a bit big and low in front. The final piaffe was the best.

Claudio Castillo Ruiz & Alcaide: 69.814%

• Alcaide is an energetic Spanish horse with a lot of knee action but very little suspension. Castillio Ruiz rode nice swinging trot half-passes that were among the better ones of the day. Both early extended trots were had lots of impulsion, but lacked enough uphill balance. The activity behind in piaffe came with the horse loading his weight a little in front, rather than sitting. The two tempis were big, the extended canter, a little rushed. The changes in the zig-zag were a bit unbalanced, and the first, almost in two parts. The first canter pirouette had a huge first couple of strides; while the second started better, Alcaide broke out of the canter at the end. On the final centerline, it was noticeable that the elevated passage and piaffe jumped a little from side to side, rather than stepping straight.

Akane Kuroki & Toots: 66.900%

• Kuroki had Toots looking very friendly, but needed from the start a little more impulsion. The second extended trot had more power than the first, but the big black gelding got a little heavy in the bridle at the start of the first passage. The passage needed to show more push from underneath the horse and in piaffe, the legs tend to step up and out behind in a bit of a shuffle more than up and under. The two tempis were big and fluid. The first change in the zig-zag was short behind and overall, Kuroki needed a bit more control of the haunches in the zig-zag. The first pirouette was a bit close behind, the second quite nice in the canter and well-balanced. She finished with some nice passage up to the final halt.

Perdro Tavares de Almeida & Xaparro do Vouga: 65.714%

• There was certainly a good Brazilian crowd out there to cheer the arrival of their first home-team rider. The first extended trot was rather irregular with the horse continuing to lean on Almeida’s hand into the trot half-passes. The passage was a bit laboured and the horse got rather deep in the bridle in piaffe. The passage after the walk was significantly more uphill, though it still needed more energy. The half-passes in zig-zag were obedient but showed limited movement sideways. Overall, the test was friendly, but not in front of the leg enough to pick up marks.

Ludovic Henry & After You: 69.214%

• After You is a fancy mover with a lot of front leg action. The horse is clearly loose in the body, but at times this means the horse gets a bit irregular or the haunches swing out. In piaffe, the horse gets so narrow at the base that he is not quite balanced, even though he is quite active behind. Henry did a nice job in the twos keeping them lofty and up in the bridle when the horse showed a little inclination to pull out in the contact. The ones needed to be straighter and there was an error at the end. The horse got quite slow behind and rotated too quickly in the canter pirouettes. The passage on the final centerline was big, but needed more controlled power to really earn the marks.

Dongseon Kim & Bukowski: 68.657%

• Kim started with quite a crooked centerline, but had pleasantly lively trot work. The passage was relaxed and regular, but could have stepped a bit more under behind. The extended walk was quite limited and didn’t really stretch into the bridle. The second piaffe started with quite a bit of engagement, but the horse then got deep in the bridle and heavy in front. The twos were smooth, but small. The zig-zag was quite bold and well-managed. The canter pirouettes needed more elevation in front. The moments where Kim asked Bukowski to stay more up in the bridle were quite nice, and the test would have been even better if he had managed more of them. The passage was definitely the pair’s highlight.

Spencer Wilton & Supernova: 72.686%

• Supernova looked quite impressed by the Rio arena, looking around with big eyes in the first halt. The trot half-passes were very rhythmical and lofty, but a bit slow in rhythm and not really bent. Both extended trots could have been bolder. Wilton had trouble establishing the first piaffe, with the horse getting a little sticky off the ground. The extended walk was active, but the horse was not stretching into the bridle. The second piaffe was rhythmical and straight and the passage out of it quite powerful from behind. Wilton had an error in the ones, which was a bit surprising since they looked to be going smoothly. The first canter pirouette was nicely uphill, but the second lost some of the activity of the canter. Overall, the horse stays short in the neck and leans a little forward in the shoulder despite Wilton’s soft contact and needs to step more from behind into the contact.

Anders Dahl & Selten HW: 69.900%

• Selten looked a little laboured in the trot half-passes, not powering sideways quite enough. The first piaffe was up in front, but rather irregular. There was an early error in the twos. The extended canter was conservative, but still showed Selten’s ability to open up his stride. The ones were quite short. The controlled canter pirouettes needed more support from a more active canter. The final passage and piaffe was nicely elevated, though the piaffe swung a little from side to side. Dahl kept the horse in a very nice open frame, but seemed to be a bit conservative about asking for power from behind, perhaps to keep tension at bay.

Megan Lane & Caravella: 71.286%

• Caravella is a bit ponyish in here movement, but nicely balanced in her movement in front and behind. The extended trots lacked some engagement behind, as did the first passage. The piaffe crept significantly forward, but Lane got the mare to nicely lower her croup. The zig-zag was quite well controlled. The mare shows huge shoulder freedom in the tempis, but could jump up more from behind. Lane rode very pleasant uphill canter pirouettes. The final passage needed more energy from behind, but the piaffe was nicely rhythmical. Lane was the first rider of the day that really gave the impression of having her horse truly in front of the leg.

Allison Brock & Rosevelt: 72.686%

• Brock started with some nice forward riding in the trot, though her stallion wasn’t quite obedient in the bend in the trot half-passes. The extended trots really pushed uphill from behind, but Brock had a little more trouble turning that into carrying power for the passage. The horse looked motivated and relaxed in the extended walk. The second passage and piaffe were small again, but regular. Rosevelt could separate his hindlegs more in general in the canter work, and in fact, the pair had and error in the twos. The zig-zag was a little flat. The one tempis were small, but accurate. The canter in the pirouettes was also flat. Overall, the trot work left the best impression. The work was quite consistent, but the horse needed to show a little more power in the work that really required him to carry behind, like the passage and canter pirouettes.

Christian Zimmerman & Aramis 606: 63.271%

• Zimmerman had quite a bit of trouble with the first halt, stepping back and sideways before finally trotting off. They had a big rhythm error before starting decent trot half-passes. The horse then stopped before the first piaffe. The passage after had potential, with nice elevation, but Aramis again looked ready to put on the breaks. Aramis showed an elevated uphill extended canter, but Zimmerman looked to be working for every stride. The canter pirouettes showed a clear canter. The final passage was lofty, if not the most energetic.

Yvonne Losos de Muniz & Foco Loco W: 61.300%

• Losos de Muniz rode her horse quite deep in the bridle at many points in the test and often over-bent in a way that restricted the horse’s forward movement. The horse stepped under well in passage, but got a bit croup-high in piaffe. Losos de Muniz again seemed to block the horse from really stretching in the extended walk. There were a few errors in the twos as the horse got rather tense in the back. The first of the ones was short behind and they were quite deep in the bridle. The horse humped his back, getting stuck in the second canter pirouette. Losos de Muniz then had a major rhythm error in the passage in the final centerline.

Mads Hendeliowitz and Jimmy Choo SEQ: 71.771%

• Hendeliowitz raised the bar with half-passes for the day: they were elevated and rythmical. The first piaffe showed activity behind that wasn’t sufficiently matched in front. Jimmy Choo was swinging through the back well in extended walk. The passage was bouncy, but not maintained in the most consistent collection. The twos were ground-covering and the extended canter bold. The changes in the zig-zag were a bit unbalanced. The canter pirouettes seemed to lead a little with the haunches, making it a bit difficult for the horse to really jump from behind. The final centerline was clear and springy.

Julie Brougham & Vom Feinstein: 68.543%

• Brougham started with a diligent square halt. The trot work was very peppy, though the flashy front Vom Feinstein showed in the extended trot wasn’t quite matched behind. There was no halt before the reinback. The passage was bouncy, but not really engaged behind, and the piaffe was small. The extended walk didn’t have the greatest overtrack, but the horse marched energetically forward. The passage after the walk was more under behind. Both sets of tempis didn’t cover a lot of ground, but were light-footed and easy looking. The first canter pirouette was tiny, but a bit resistant; the second, a little flat. Overall, this was a really pleasant test to watch, with horse and rider appearing to be on the same page.

Tanya Seymour & Ramoneur 6: 63.929%

• Ramoneur looked quite jazzed right from the outset and was a bit tight in the body for the trot half-passes. The reinback was frantic and there was no halt before it. The stallion had a tendency to nod his head down in passage, showing a lack of balance. He jigged in the collected walk and Seymour just could not finesse the movements. The horse had a stellar piaffe—sitting and totally rhythmical—with only the tension marring it. There was an error in the early twos and the horse seemed ahead of Seymour’s aids in the zig-zag. The line of ones also contained a mistake. The final centerline was almost a serpentine, and Seymour looked disappointed with her horse’s tension.

Adelinde Cornelissen & Parzival: RET

• Cornelissen nailed the first halt, but Parzival’s tongue was clearly sticking out the side in the first extended trot. The half-passes were surprisingly laboured and the first steps of passage was almost stuck in place and very irregular. I felt quite bad for Adelinde when she retired, but she made the right move. On the walk out, the horse’s tongue was hanging out—such a disappointing start to the day for the Dutch.

Sönke Rothenberger & Cosmo: 77.329%

• This pair, however, brightened the mood. Peppy Cosmo bounced across the arena in the first extended trot, with just a minor rhythm bobble at the end. The first half-pass was fluid, but the haunches were lagging a little. Rothenberger was having a bit of trouble keeping away from the boards, maybe the nerves coming though. The passage had super engagement, but got a bit too open in the frame. The collected walk showed very nice overtrack. After the walk, the passage was more closed in the frame, though the piaffe took a big step forward halfway through. The two tempis were expressive in front and so light-footed. The extended canter was big while appearing to barely touch the ground. The first of the one tempis could have jumped through more, but Rothenberger opened them up well. The pirouettes were big, though the canter activity was good. Cosmo faltered in the down-transition to trot, but then lifted off into a super extended trot. The final piaffe kept quite a bit forward, but the passage was loft and regular. Maybe a bit of nerves made this not Rothenberger’s best test, but it was still unquestionably the best of the day thus far!

Mary Hanna & Boogie Woogie: 69.643%

• This young horse was really pretty and lively, but had quite a few minor contact issues from the start, curling and bobbing a little through the corners and tilting in the half-passes. The horse sat so much in piaffe he had a little trouble picking his hind legs up off the ground. Boogie Woogie really had his knees up in the passage. The twos were lovely and fluid, but started swinging a bit too much and the horse missed a change behind. The canter almost got four-beat in the zig-zag and couldn’t get the last change to come through behind. The first canter pirouette was really sitting in a clear canter rhythm, the second, nearly as good as well. The passage on the final centerline was lofty and uphill and the piaffe solid.

Bernadette Pujals & Rolex: 66.757%

• Rolex is a bit of a clunky mover, but Pujals was all business coming in. The extended trots had plenty of pushing power behind. The piaffe was quite small, but the passage was springy, though it could cover more ground. Pujals lost the rhythm and contact in the second piaffe and the horse humped his back a little. The twos didn’t jump much off the ground, but filled the centerline quite well. Pujals had a mistake in the ones. The canter pirouettes were quite on the forehand. The final passage had good engagement, though the piaffe drifted a little.

Jose Daniel Martín Dockx & Grandioso: 70.829%

• Grandioso really pushes his neck out underneath and needs to reach more into the bridle. Still, the movements are solid and obedient. The flashy extended trot is supported by power behind, but still too tight in the neck. The extended walk was friendly, but didn’t show enough stretching all the way through. Dockx got a step of canter out of the walk before picking up the passage, though the piaffe was strong. The twos were crooked, but forward. The pair had a counting error early in the zig-zag with a change coming a stride late. The ones were expressive, but not really pushing forward from behind. The canter pirouettes were tidy, if not the most uphill. The passage to finish was a little out behind, but the piaffe super straight and rhythmical.

Kiichi Harada & Egistar: 68.286%

• Egistar leans a bit on the bridle and needed more correct bend in the half-passes, though they were fluid. The horse got rather tense at the end of the reinback. The first passage was quite flat and the piaffe small. Harada had the horse very relaxed and moving through the back in the extended walk and so steady in collected walk, picking up marks where he could to make up for weaker elements. The twos were sleepy, but clear. The zig-zag was very laboured to the right. The ones were nice. The canter pirouettes were both very classy: uphill and controlled. Calling the final line passage would be quite generous, but the overall picture was friendly.

Giovana Prado Pass & Zingaro de Lyw: 67.700%

• Prado Pass had a lovely soft seat, but didn’t ride very boldy. The extended trots showed about the energy needed for a good collected trot. The piaffe was very flashy in front, but not very motivated behind, the second showed better matched diagonal pairs. The one tempis were a bit more forward and ground-covering than the twos. The canter pirouettes barely kept any canter rhythm. Still, every step of the test was pleasant and Prado Pass rode totally smoothly.

Stephanie Briuessel & Amorak: 65.114%

• The half-passes early in the test were bouncy and fluid, though the haunches were really lagging in the one to the right. The horse drifted a few meters sideways in the first piaffe after a quite sticky passage. The extended walk had overtrack but no stretch in the neck. The passage and piaffe after the walk was springy, but the horse dropped quite far behind the vertical despite the delicate contact. The twos were clean, though a bit hurried. To call extended canter conservative would be a bit of an understatement. Amorak jumped together for a couple strides at the end of the zig-zag. Briuessel had trouble keeping her horse straight preparing for and exiting from the canter pioruettes. The final passage was looking springy, but the horse exploded for a couple strides before the piaffe.

Fiona Bigwood & Orthilia: 77.157%

• Bigwood rides with the curb rein almost dropped which makes a lot of sense for such a sensitive mare who has a bit of a tendency to pull down. The trot half-passes could have had better bend and a more fluid trot, but both the early extended trots were lofty, with reach in front and pushing power from behind. The extended walk could have had a touch more overstep, but the mare actively reached into the bridle. The passage had such easy engagement. The piaffes needed to be more in place and on the haunches, but just sprang off the ground from one diagonal pair to the other. The twos were a little reserved and could have been more uphill. Bigwood needed to have asked for a little more canter throughout to earn even bigger marks. The canter pirouettes were small and controlled, but could have had a tiny bit more uphill energy. The final passage was so straight and springy and showed no change of rhythm into and out of the piaffe.

Agnete Kirk Thinggaard & Jojo AZ: 72.229%

• The frame on the horse is quite good, with the horse’s nose consistently in front of the bridle. The first extended trot was a touch irregular and the half-passes a little underwhelming. Kirk Thinggaard had another rhythm error in the second extended trot. The piaffe wasn’t huge, but it was on the spot and rhythmical. The passage transition out of collected walk was quite early and the passage could cover a little more ground. Jojo stepped nicely underneath himself in the smooth tempi changes, though he swung his body a touch from side-to-side. Neither canter pirouette was really up in the shoulder. The final centerline showed their best piaffe and passage and a very good final halt.

Kasey Perry-Glass & Dublet: 75.229%

• In an unfortunate early error, Dublet crossed his legs into the first halt. The first extended trot was powerful, but took a little time to develop. The half-passes lacked bend and needed to swing more sideways. The first passage was so lofty and stepped with no change in rhythm to a clear, if slightly small, piaffe. The transition from passage to a forward, stretching extended walk was immediate but smooth. The only fault in the piaffe-passage picture was the slightly too short neck. The two tempis were big and ground-covering and the extended canter truly forward. The zig-zag could have been a bit cleaner, as it was not quite evenly matched across the centerline. The ones, like the twos, were very strong, except for one that was a bit close behind. The canter pirouettes were uphill but a tiny bit big. The final line was super strong, and I think she could have scored higher.

Juliette Ramel & Buriel KH: 74.943%

• This horse is an uphill powerhouse. Ramel was one of the few riders whose horse pushed sideways in the trot half-passes, really showing a good degree of crossing. The passage bounced off the ground with elevation in front and transitioned seamlessly to piaffe and out again, though the horse is a tiny bit more engaged with the right hind than the left occasionally. Buriel could have stretched more into the bridle in the extended walk. The twos were big and powerful. Ramel had some trouble managing the horse’s tension at the beginning of the canter zig-zag and he got a little deep in the frame, and issue that carried over into the twos. Buriel also got quite close to jumping together behind for the pirouette right, but the one to the left was cleaner and up in the shoulder. The horse looked a touch tired on the final centerline: though he sprang off the ground, he started to lean a little on Ramel’s hands.

Edward Gal & Voice: 75.271%

• Voice has such an odd way of going, like his round neck is just stuck on his body disconnected from his rather flat back, making it very difficult for even Gal’s finessed riding to put the whole horse together over the back. Gal had him really wrapped around his legs and reaching sideways for the trot half-passes. Gal asked for almost no second extended trot. The first piaffe was rhythmical but small, and the passage active, but with a hind end swinging around like a turning boat. The transition from the passage to canter was a little resistant. Voice swung his haunches in the two tempis, but unlike Undercover or Totilas, they took up the diagonal. Gal had some trouble controlling the haunches again in the zig-zag and the straighter ones were much less ground-covering. The canter pirouettes were really sitting, but the canter needed more jump. The final passage and piaffe were rhythmical, but needed to come more under behind.

Dorothee Schneider & Showtime: 80.986%

• Schneider picks up a lot of marks by riding a horse that is really even on both sides of his body and straight. The contact is also so soft and consistent, though the horse could seek it more. The first half-pass could have had more bend, while the second was better and both had lots of crossing. The piaffe was closed at the base, but didn’t have quite enough sit. The passage had tons of suspension, but a few irregular steps. The extended walk was huge and active, though as in the other gaits, Showtime needed to reach more into the bridle. The expression in front and behind was really well matched in the passage after the walk and the piaffe had better sit. The transition out of piaffe is a bit of a struggle for the horse though. In the two tempis, the horse gets a bit tense and the canter rhythm for them could have been more fluid. The zig-zag was super well-balanced. Schneider really rode for forward ones and was successful in getting her horse to cover more ground. Showtime got quite braced and stilted in the first canter pirouette, switching leads at the end, and the second was a bit big and rushed. The final extended trot showed lots of power and Showtime really stepped underneath himself, though the final passage was not quite as under behind. The final halt was excellent.

FEI World Cup Qualifier Olympia - Grand Prix Freestyle

Carl Hester suggested he was out to beat Charlotte at Olympia and did it with 83.750. He rides a very technical test with such quiet precision. The piaffe is regular as can be, if a little quiet. The passage tended to get a little out behind, though it was lofty and easy seeming. The smooth tempi changes needed to cover a bit more ground though they were nice and expressive. Nip Tuck tossed his head a little into extended walk. The unerring rhythm in the trot gave a really nice picture in the half-passes. The final passage was most engaged, though Hester didn't quite have a full final halt. 


Charlotte Dujardin gets Uthopia nicely closed in the frame, though he has a slight tendency to get deep for a stride at times. The trot half-passes were light and easy, though a bit better to the right. The extended trots, of course, just floated. The passage is also airy and shows good engagement for the most part, though the piaffe rhythm is the weak point of the test. The tempi changes were beautifully uphill. The canter pirouettes were perhaps a bit big, but had such good sit and balance. Shame about a little step of canter out of the final piaffe as the end of a very nice ride. Her score was 82.550%.


Hans Peter Minderhoud's Flirt started off a little irregular in passage, perhaps from tension, leaving the right hind behind a bit. The piaffes settled as the test went on, but one of the extended trots got slightly over-cooked and a bit braced in the back. Flirt showed lots of overtrack in the extended walk. Their canter half-passes were lovely with smooth changes of direction between them. The pirouettes could have been a bit more elevated and open in front. He received an 80.975%.


Lara Griffith's Rubin al Asad has a lovely elevated passage that gives the appearance of effortlessness. The piaffe was rhythmical but at times Rubin al Asad didn't lift both hind legs evenly. The horse got a bit deep in the bridle in extended trot. He also got a little low and open in the frame for the two tempis, but the ones were better. The frame was a problem again in the canter pirouettes, which were otherwise well-controlled. The final centerline of passage and piaffe was excellent. She scored a well-deserved 78.025%. 


Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén rode Paridon Magi to a score of 77.700 for this World Cup qualifier. The horse has a very engaged passage and very good sitting piaffe, though the transition out of piaffe is a little weak. He tends to have his mouth open and braced. The trot half-passes could have had a more obedient bend. Vilhelmson-Silfvén rode powerful extended canters that showed supple lengthening of the strides. The tempis were excellent: toward moving and uphill. The canter pirouettes got a bit stuck behind. 


Agnete Kirk Thinggaard keeps her horse in a very nice frame and contact. Jojo steps under really nicely in extended trot. The passage is on the smaller side, but regular and the horse lifts his knees nicely in piaffe. The extended walk was relaxed and ground-covering. The canter pirouettes could have had a bit more jump. The final piaffe and passage was the most expressive. She scored 76.950%.


Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite (75.075) entered on canter half-passes. The horse is a bit wide behind in canter and sometimes loses a bit of the clarity of the rhythm. The tempis were ground-covering but could have had a bit more air-time. The extended walk was limited. Watson-Greaves leaves the curb hanging, which seems appropriate given the horse's slightly low neck. The passage is quite lofty and the trot work fluid. The extended trots were the highlight of the test, with the horse super powerful and elevated in front. 


Wie Atlantico de Ymas presents a very nice picture though he does not have the same level of natural gaits as many of the other horses in the class. The passage could due with more elevation, but the piaffe was nicely regular. The trot half-passes were quite restricted. The canter half-passes were balanced and controlled, the canter pirouettes jumped together a bit behind, more so to the left than to the right. Anders Dahl had some errors in the two tempis to finish on 72.375%.


Fanny Verliefden's Annarico is appealing supple in the body. Annarico had lots of expression in the trot half-passes, though the haunches tended to trail a little. The first canter pirouette got a bit big. Verliefden had some trouble controlling the position of her horse's haunches throughout the test, including some swinging in the tempis. The mare has top engagement in the extended trots and passage, but struggles just a little to carry the same rhythm in piaffe. She scored 74.125. 


Jorinde Verwimp rides for every point in her test. The power makes up for the Tiamo's tendency to be a bit out behind. Verwimp gets Tiamo nicely closed at the base in piaffe, though he rhythm sometimes gets a bit slow. The tempis had a lovely fluid uphill canter, so it was a shame there was a mistake in both the ones and twos. She also had major problems in one canter pirouette. Verwimp rode really nice canter half-passes with changes of direction and finished on a high-power extended trot. 


Judy Reynolds has been a sensation for Ireland with Vancouver K. She produces lovely shoulder freedom in passage and lots of sit in piaffe, though the piaffe rhythm can get a bit hurried. The two tempis were lovely and fluid. The canter pirouettes were uphill and beautifully balanced in their rotation. Reynolds had a hiccough in the transition up from walk and not too long after lost the rhythm in the piaffe and had the problem again on the final centerline. They finished on 73.525%. 


Batuta is a lovely expressive mare, but can get a bit over-electric, though she settled down the centerline quite well in this freestyle. Gonçalo Carvalho keeps a lovely soft contact in piaffe and passage, though the mare still gets a bit deep in the bridle. Batuta's knees come up to her chin, but she could step under a bit better behind. The extended walk had rather limited stretch. The well-controlled canter pirouettes could have shown a bit more elevation and freedom in front. The first line of one-tempis got a bit hurried resulting in an error behind. They finished on 73.225%.


Santurion de Massa has a rhythmical, springy, and engaged piaffe and passage. The trot half-passes were slightly irregular. Daniel Pinto's position is not the strongest for the top level, with his head bobbing in passage and looking a little active in his seat. The horse showed incredible sit in the canter pirouettes, but unfortunately had a hit of backwards tendency. The one tempis were also impressively uphill, but could jump a bit more forward. Their score was 73.200%


Diederik van Silfhout rides a very precise test, which is especially a strength in freestyles. Bonzanjo stays very up in the bridle, but still gives the impression of leaning a little on the bit in his lofty passage. The piaffes needed a bit more energy. The extended walk was nice, but the collected walk got slightly lateral. The canter pirouettes were nicely controlled. The tempis were smooth, but could have had a better uphill tendency. His score was 73.100. 


Inna Logutenkova's Don Gregorious is a powerhouse, but gets a touch sluggish in piaffe, passage, and canter pirouettes. The trot half-pass left was very fluid, the one to the right, slightly irregular but in good bend. In canter half-pass, the haunches trailed a bit and the canter could at times be a bit more closed. The frame in the first two canter pirouettes got a bit flat, but the third was quite nice. She received a 72.775%.

FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 - Grand Prix Freestyle

Though the medal winners were no surprise given the performances the last few days, it was very close at the top of the class with a number of people pulling excellent rides out of their horses. Charlotte Dujardin was on fire today, except for major mistakes in both lines of one tempis, which put her just barely ahead of Kristina Bröring-Sprehe. Isabell Werth had an amazing ride on Don Johnson, getting every point possible out of him, but Beatriz Ferrer-Salat deservedly pulled ahead for bronze riding a fantastic clean test on the powerful Delgado.

Charlotte Dujardin & Valegro: 89.054%

• Right into the arena, Valegro's passage was on with plenty of push from behind. The trot half-pass left showed powerful, supple crossing and even the passage half-passes had lots of crossing without a loss of suspension or rhythm. The piaffes were on the spot, with Valegro sitting beautifully in the third and allowing his knees to come up. The extended walk was beautifully relaxed into the bridle, even if it is not huge. The extended canter down the centerline showed lots of relaxation through the back, even with all its power. Dujardin had an error again in both lines of one tempis where the horse jumped together behind. The twos, though, came off beautifully. The final piaffe pirouette started a little slow, but then showed one of Valegro's best piaffes. 

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe & Desperados: 88.804%

• Bröring-Sprehe began with a light-footed passage half-pass to trot half-pass. The trot half-pass left was a little slow in the rhythm. The first piaffe was nice, but the horse came above the bit in the transition out of it. The second piaffe was closed at the base and bouncy, but started a little irregular. The canter pirouette right was super: small, with a top quality uphill canter. Bröring-Sprehe showed three more double pirouettes, all of really high quality. The first extended canter could have shown slightly longer strides. The final passage was really light and rhythmical and the last two piaffes very well finessed. The ride is so soft and friendly looking, even though the contact is not totally steady, so when her top moving horse is with her, she really rakes in the marks. Though the score was maybe a little high, it was definitely good enough for silver.

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat & Delgado: 82.714%

• Delgado's passage has super suspension and drive from behind. The piaffe is also springy, though it lacks a little sit. In the trot half-passes, there is lots of ground-cover, but Delgado could step more under behind. Ferrer-Salat took full advantage of the high quality passage in effortless-looking passage half-passes. The extended walk was a bit tense in the body. The tempi changes were very uphill but needed to be straighter and jump not just up, but more forward. The first canter pirouette was tiny and balanced, but needed a bit more bend; the second got a bit big. At the end, Ferrer-Salat rode a full piaffe pirouette that had a metronome rhythm. The music was powerful, really well suited for the horse's gaits. 

Hans Peter Minderhoud & Johnson: 82.411%

• Minderhoud had a few little short steps behind in the early passage. Johnson lowers his croup well in piaffe, but should also bring his hind legs more under. The trot half-passes were expressive, but could have had a higher degree of difficulty. The later passage showed much better engagement and the extended trot was beautifully up and forward into the bridle. Johnson was quite tense in extended walk. Minderhoud's extended canter was bold and powerful and the canter pirouette after was really sitting with plenty of jump in the canter. The canter in the tempi changes jumped uphill beautifully, though they could cover a bit more ground. Minderhoud had to work hard to keep the last piaffe going, but the last passage was beautiful in front. 

Carl Hester & Nip Tuck: 79.571%

• Nip Tuck's frame was lovely right from the start. The trot half-passes had nice crossing, but could have had a touch more power. The piaffe has good rhythm, but bounced up a bit behind. The transitions from piaffe to passage tended to have a bit of a hitch of them. The canter pirouettes were small and very well controlled in their rotation, though they could jump more uphill. The canter pirouettes were beautifully correct and uphill. The final passage half-passes were lovely and had lots of suspension. Everything in the test was ridden with harmonious precision. 

Isabell Werth & Don Johnson: 82.446%

• Werth chose to ride to her Pomp and Circumstance freestyle, which though it isn't new, matches piaffe and passage so well.  She started a little cautiously in the first extended trot, not pushing for the maximum reach and power, though it still showed nice engagement. The passage tours wary one were very good, with Don Johnson really stepping under with full suspension and not showing his tendency towards a double-beat behind. The trot half-passes reach beautifully sideways in front. Though the piaffes are not really sitting, they have a very clear rhythm. The extended canters into the pirouettes were really bold and supple. The tiny, active canter pirouette right was the only time that Don Johnson got a bit braced in the contact. The one tempis were nice through the body, but could have covered a bit more ground. The rhythm on the final centerline was unchanging from piaffe pirouette to passage half pass. A top test for this combination. 

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén & Don Auriello: 80.571%

• Vilhelmson Silfvén is such a sharp freestyle rider and her music really suits the horse. The piaffe and passage continued to be a weakness because they are quite slow behind, though the passage half-passes made for a really nice balanced picture from the front. The extended walk was excellent, moving forward from behind to stretch into the bridle. Vilhelmson Silfvén's line of pirouette, ones, pirouette was impeccable with uphill changes and tiny, balanced pirouettes, though they could have a bit more jump in behind. The twos had good lift in front. The final extended trot stepped under well and of course Don Auriello really reaches up and out in front. The frame as always was impeccably soft and uphill. This test definitely deserved its big score. 

Diederik van Silfhout & Arlando: 78.696%

• Arlando showed right from the start his amazing expression in passage and piaffe. The piaffe creeps forward a bit. The trot half-passes could have stepped sideways with more suppleness. The walk work was rather tense behind and showed almost no overtrack. The canter pirouette left was really sitting, but a little rushed and big. Arlando was more willing in the canter half-pass left than the one to the right. Van Silfhout had an unscripted change in the second, very tense, extended canter. In some of the passage towards the end of the test, the horse was getting a bit frantic picking up the left hind, despite the impressive loftiness of the movement. 

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl & Unee BB: 80.214%

• Von Bredow-Werndl started right out of the halt with an uphill canter pirouette and the second one was tiny—a real highlight of the test. She had a counting error in the two tempis and the ones were quite tense in the back, though they had nice shoulder freedom. The first piaffe, coming out of canter, had a good level of activity, but needed to come more under behind, especially in the last steps. The piano music von Bredow-Werndl chose to accompany the piaffe was really clever. The trot half-passes flow sideways nicely but lack a little bend. Unee stepped very well from behind in the trot extensions. The stallions struggles a little with the transitions from piaffe to passage, but von Bredow-Werndl finessed them well. Von Bredow-Werndl's program was a highly technical one with lost of transitions and movements that closely followed each other, all ridden precisely to well-chosen music. 

Gonçalo Carvalho & Batuta: 72.761%

• Batuta's piaffe and passage today looked really good. The mare seemed much more comfortable in the arena than earlier in the week and so she lifted her legs way off the ground without looking like she was on hot coals. The piaffe sometimes crept forward a little, but was soft and springy. The extended walk moved nicely through the body and was correct in the rhythm, but got a bit deep in the bridle. Carvalho rode the canter work a bit cautiously, but it maintained Batuta's relaxation and so was a good riding choice. The first pirouette needed to be more uphill and the second lost the canter rhythm a bit. Carvalho rode an impeccable transition from canter to piaffe and good final line of passage. 

Karen Tebar & Don Luis: 75.000%

• Tebar started a little slow in the trot half-passes which could have showed more fluid crossing. The passage and piaffe are a real highlight though. The passage shows really good engagement behind and the piaffe springs off the ground. Don Luis hesitated a bit before the first piaffe though. The horse tilts its head at times, but Tebar's contact is pleasantly soft throughout. The first canter pirouette started quite big and was not tat well placed on the centerline. The half-passses in trot and canter did not have a very high degree of difficulty, though this is understandable given the horse's lack of experience. Tebar oddly decided to show one tempis on the centerline, but the changes were clearly swinging through the body. A pleasant ride, but not totally clean today. 

Morgan Barbançon Mestre & Painted Black: 73.875%

• Barbançon Mestre started on a nice soft piaffe and passage with easy transitions between the two. The horse could have been a little lighter in front, but stays well in the rhythm. There was an error in the twos but Barbançon Mestre rode them again very well. The extended walk was relaxed while remaining motivated. The one tempis jumped lightly forward and off the ground. The final passage showed quite good engagement. Barbançon Mestre's music choice was quite poignant, especially since this is the last time we will see Painted Black in international competition. 

Patrick van der Meer & Uzzo: 74.321%

• Van der Meer entered the test with a nice forward feeling hand, producing a good extended trot with lots of shoulder freedom. Throughout, though, it would be nice to see more relaxation in the body. Uzzo gave some resistance to the bit in the first piaffe, ridden at C, resulting in a loss of rhythm. The first canter pirouette turned a bit haunches-first. The tempis were straight. Coming back from extended canter, Uzzo got a bit braced. The second set of pirouettes ridden on the long diagonal were very good: small and uphill and active. For the most part, the horse stayed more open in the neck than in the Grand Prix. Their final line of passage was airy without Uzzo getting too electric. The music for the test was pleasant, but didn't do much to underline the movements. 

FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 - Grand Prix Special

This has certainly been a dramatic European Championships. Two days ago, it was Totilas out after looking uneven behind in the trot extensions and today in the special Undercover, boiling over from tension from the moment he entered the stadium, bit his tongue and was eliminated for blood in the mouth. It was a shame, too, because Edward Gal was managing to settle the horse back into the work again and he would likely have qualified for the Freestyle tomorrow. There was also some controversy over the score of Diederik van Silfhout; the Dutch judge seemed to show a bit of nationalistic favoritism and so the FEI's 'six-percent rule' went into effect. Because of the judge's score differed by more than 6 percent from the next highest judge, that score was changed to the next highest judge's score.

Hans-Peter Minderhoud rode Johnson to a 79.034% and a bronze medal. I was a little surprised at the score as I didn't think the horse looked as soft as he had in the Grand Prix. At times the passage lost some engagement in one or both hind legs. Still, Johnson is presented nicely up in the bridle—except for getting a bit deep in the piaffe—and moves forward into the bit in a supple and powerful way. Also, the moments of unsteadiness might have been explained by the fact that Minderhoud was not feeling well. Minderhoud told horses.nl that because of how poorly he was feeling, it was hard to really feel the excitement of winning his first—and well-deserved—international medal. Undoubtedly the bad luck for his partner Gal would also have made it hard to celebrate.

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe definitely had a better ride, getting 83.067 and the silver medal. Most importantly, Desperados's lofty passage didn't get so big today that Bröring-Sprehe couldn't keep it balanced so there were only a very few irregular steps where Desperados got a bit slow in the right hind. The first pirouette kept an easy uphill canter rhythm, but the second got a little big. While there were a couple steps where Desperados slightly lost his rhythm and balance in the last piaffe, the passage on the final centerline was expressive and rhythmical.

Charlotte Dujardin produced a very polished ride today and got her highest score ever in the long version of the special: 87.577%. The extended trots were all spectacular—Valegro pushes with lots of power from behind forward into the contact, stepping way underneath himself and lifting in front. The trot half-passes were fluid as ever. There was a moment of hesitation into the first passage, but the passage itself was strong behind and very consistent in its rhythm. Dujardin had no trouble keeping the count in Valegro's big and supple tempi changes, though she was doing some serious focused preparation before both lines of ones. All the piaffes had lots of sit and were in place (they were creeping forward a bit in the Grand Prix). Valegro looked a bit tired on the final centerline, getting a hair heavy in front, but the passage was still lovely and soft. Dujardin definitely deserved her gold with this test.

Delgado and Beatriz Ferrer-Salat are a cool combination. The horse has got a very lofty passage and a lot of power from behind, though in the extended trots, he could step more underneath himself. Delgado doesn't appear to be the supplest horse through the body, but Ferrer-Salat did a lovely job maintain a soft contact and good frame.

I also took a peek at a couple of the early combinations. Jorinde Verwimp had another nice ride for a 70.588%. The horse stays really well up in the bridle, though maybe could be a bit softer on the underside of his neck. The trot tour was energetic and controlled except for a break to canter before the second half-pass. Tiamo's piaffe and passage are both pretty springy and regular, but the horse pushes a little forward off his hind legs rather than fully carrying. The twos jumped way off the ground, but Verwimp had a mistake in the one tempis. The very small pirouettes could have had a little clearer canter behind. The final extended trot just powered down the long side. 

I had not see the combination of Pierre Volla and Badinda Altena before and was quite impressed. Though the mare was a bit tense, she showed lots of talent and pulled a 70.532%. The mare showed extended trots with lots of expression in front and that stepped under well behind, but which lacked a little suspension. The passage is big, with the mare pushing off behind to make it possible for her to really lift up in front. The active piaffe moves quite forward. The transition to canter from passage was messy. The tempi changes were uphill but tight in the body. Volla did a nice job keeping the mare's huge passage down the final line rhythmical and uphill. 

FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 - Grand Prix

On the first day of the Grand Prix, a few of the championship regulars have had days short of their best, while some of the newcomers—like Jorinde Verwimp and Emilie Nyreröd—really shined. The second day, a few bobbles in the Dujardin's Grand Prix lost Great Britain the gold to consistent quality rides from the Netherlands, but her overall top class riding allowed her to eek out a win. Undercover was on his usual good form and pulled off second and Desperados landed in third, with Bröring-Sprehe not quite able to keep his big piaffe and passage completely regular.


Ludovic Henry & After You (FRA): 68.629%

• After You is a very impressive mover with lots of knee-action. Henry got a very high degree of crossing and swing in the trot half-passes, though they were slightly unbalanced. The flying changes were really uphill and dynamic. Overall, the movements are ridden with a high degree of expression, but there are persistent tiny errors in balance, regularity, or contact that prevent really high marks. 

Jorinde Verwimp & Tiamo (BEL): 71.086%

• After a nicely powered trot tour, Verwimp had some issues in the first piaffe-passage transitions, which were rather abrupt and unbalanced. At times the horse could reach a little better into the bridle to keep an even more uphill balance. The canter zig-zag showed clean changes of direction and a very good quality of the canter. The final extended trot was very nicely uphill and ground-covering. The final piaffe was clean, but a little quick, while the passage was strong and showed lots of elevation. 

Rikke Svane & Finckenstein (DEN): 67.743%

• Svane rode a very fluid, clean trot tour. Finckenstein has a bit of a tendency to get a bit out behind in his movement. The extended walk was nicely forward and relaxed in the body and would have been even better if Finckenstein were reaching a little more forward into the bridle. The second piaffe-passage tour was cleaner than the first. The tempi changes were a little flat and there were a couple errors in the ones. At times in the canter the stallion gets a bit tense behind the saddle and tends croup-high. This created a minor errors in the flying change between pirouettes and right before the transition to trot. 

Patrick van der Meer & Uzzo (NED): 72.400%

• Van der Meer had a bit of a rough warm up around the outside with a few strong half-halts for the hot Uzzo. The gelding has incredible shoulder freedom in the trot, making for lovely extended trots. However, throughout the test the horse was a bit behind the vertical, taking away especially from the otherwise impressive extensions. In the passage tour, Uzzo was not quite bringing his hind legs under enough to power the elevation he showed in front and lost the rhythm. The flying change at the end of the extended trot had an error. The canter zig-zag was balanced, but though a tiny bit hurried. The canter pirouettes were small, active, and uphill—a definite highlight of the test. The final passage was much more engaged, though still a bit irregular. Given the tensions, the test seemed a bit overscored. 

Michael George Eilberg & Marakov (GBR): 69.943%

• Marakov entered a bit impressed by the atmosphere in the big stadium and Eilberg's early trot work appeared a bit conservative. The horse was tense and braced in the rein back. Marakov has a very upright neck and should ideally reach more into the bridle at times. The passage and piaffe was very smoothly ridden, though in the piaffe, the horse should come more under himself behind. The transitions were effortless. The extended walk had limited overtrick. The two tempi changes were ground covering, but could have strided more uphill. Eilberg had a late change in zig-zag and then the one tempis were quite short, and one jumped together behind. In the first canter pirouette, Eilberg lost the canter rhythm at the end. The final passage was lovely and springy. 

Emilie Nyreröd & Miata (SWE): 71.829%

• While she had a nice compressed, square halt, Nyreröd's transition in showed a little trot step. In the trot half-passes, there should have been more bend and the horse's gait was a little passage-y. The passage had very good engagement behind, but every now and then does a double-beat behind. The canter was very active behind overall, though in the zig-zag, Miata could have shown more energy. The flying changes were big and uphill. The canter pirouettes were small and uphill but didn't show any bend and so were not totally balanced in their rotation. The transitions into and out of piaffe were superb. 

José Antonio Garcia Mena & Norte Lovera (ESP): 68.711%

• Norte Lovera is a lovely relaxed mover with an expressive front leg in the extended trot. Though the trot half-passes didn't have a high degree of suspension, Norte Lovera crossed with beautiful suppleness. The first piaffe got a bit deep in the bridle, though it showed amazing activity. The extended walk didn't have much overtrick, but stretched nicely into the bridle. A number of the transitions—in and out of the first halt, out of the rein back, and into the second passage—were weak. A number of the tempi changes got croup high, which was a shame, because the seemed to have the potential to really reach up and forward. The canter pirouettes were sitting, but hurried. The final centerline was absolutely top class. 

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl & Unee BB (GER): 75.186%

• This combination was in a totally different class than any of the rides preceding her. The half-pass right could have show a bit truer bend. The rein back was crooked. Von Bredow-Werndl rides the extended trots beautifully, with the horse powerfully striding up into the bridle. Unee was very uphill in the passage, but lacked a bit of engagement behind. The piaffes were rhythmical, if a bit small. Unee showed some tendency to dive in the two-tempis resulting in an error behind halfway through, despite Von Bredow-Werndl's best efforts. The one tempis were very good. The pirouettes were small and controlled but did not have the cleanest canter rhythm in every step. The final passage was much more powerful from behind than the earlier ones, making for a strong finish. 

Elena Sidneva & Romeo Star (RUS): 68.443%

• Overall, this pair had a very classy test. The trot tour showed consistently high quality gaits and correctness in the movements. The first passage was a bit arhythmical. The canter work was smooth except for a couple errors in the otherwise big, uphill one tempis. Though the final piaffe was a little sticky, the passage was big and expressive. 

Mikala Münter Gundersen & My Lady (DEN): 70.257%

• Münter Gundersen began with nice fluid trot work, doing a nice job producing a sense of power from My Lady. She had a problem with the mare collapsing in the bridle before the rein back. In the second piaffe, the mare lifted her legs way off the ground, though it would be improved with the mares weight being shifted more to her haunches. Münter Gundersen rode a lovely open extended canter and relaxed transition back to collected canter. The ground covering tempis could have been a bit lighter in front. The pirouettes were slightly off the centerline. The final extended trot was excellent. 

Diederik van Silfhout & Arlando (NED): 75.814%

• Arlando had the most impressive front leg, but in the extended trots it wasn't quite matched behind. The trot half-passes were nicely bent and crossing, but a little braced in the contact. The horse is looking more comfortable staying up in the frame. The first piaffe passage tour had lots of power, with the horse's knees almost at his nose, without losing the rhythm. The piaffe could be a little more on the hind legs. Before the two tempis, Arlando got tight behind the saddle and swapped behind for a stride and there was a similar error at the end of the extended canter. The canter pirouettes were tiny and showed super sit, but were rather tense. Though the transition to passage was a little unsteady, the rest of the final centerline was really powerful. 

Fiona Bigwood & Atterupgaards Orthilia (GBR): 75.800%

• This mare is really impressive. The first extended trot floated powerfully across the arena. The trot half-passes were excellent, though the mare was opening her mount a little from tension. In passage and piaffe, Orthilia lifted herself way off the ground. Though she leans just a little forward in them, the power comes from behind. The extended walk showed a little of the mare's tension, but the gait still had overtrack. In the two tempis, the mare was a little hesitant, but Bigwood rode them cleanly. The ones were straight and ground-covering, but could have been more relaxed in the body in each stride. The mare shows talent for sitting in the canter pirouettes, but got a bit deep in the bridle as well. The combination finished on another dynamic piaffe and passage, and Bigwood was thrilled. 

Minna Telde & Santana (SWE): 68.714%

• Telde started out with high power, but unfortunately it was a bit more than the stallion could sustain and so the extended trot showed some irregular strides. The passage got a little too open leading into the piaffe making for a difficult transition. The piaffes were rhythmical, but Santana does not pick his feet up that much in them. The canter in the two tempis was excellent. Santana gave a huge resistance in the bridle leading into the one tempis, but Telde recovered remarkably quickly. The final passage was big and regular, though slightly out behind. 

Jose Daniel Martin Dockx & Grandioso (ESP): 71.343%

• A huge shame: the stallion cantered in the first steps of the extended trot. The trot half passes needed better bend and the trot in them was a touch flat and hurried. The first piaffe was super but didn't show quite enough steps. The collected walk was clear and settled. Grandioso tried to piaffe early resulting in a bit of a stutter step in passage, but the piaffe was excellent again, with the stallion really lifting his legs. Martin Dockx had an error in the two tempis and then rode a rather conservative extended canter. The canter pirouettes were very small and well balanced in their rotation, though the canter could have been a bit more energetic. 

Isabell Werth & Don Johnson (GER): 74.786%

• Don Johnson looks as powerful as ever and Werth rode in on an immaculate centerline. As expected, the half passes powered sideways, though Don Johnson got a bit braced to the left. In extended trot, the horse steps really well under behind to match his impressive from leg. The passage was nicely elevated and rhythmical, if a bit short in front. The second passage was even better, though the piaffe didn't show enough weight on the hind legs. Isabell had an unfortunate error at the beginning of the otherwise powerful one-tempis. The canter pirouettes were small, but Don Johnson dropped his shoulder a bit. The final centerline showed top power and well-ridden transitions. 

Katarzyna Milczarek & Dzeko (POL): 64.600%

• Dzeko is a really lovely rangy mover and Milczarek started with a lovely extended trot that got just a hair deep in the bridle. The piaffe traveled forward too far—though it's understandable given the greenness of the horse at this level—while the passage was light and airy. In both the hind legs could come more under the body. The two tempis were big and smooth, but Milczarek lost the canter for a stride on the short side. The zig zag traveled well on either side of the centerline. The first canter pirouette was lovely with a high degree of sit, but in the second, the horse rotated too quickly and lost his balance at the end. I think this has the potential to be a very strong combination in the future. 

Judy Reynolds & Vancouver K (IRL): 69.486%

• Reynolds had quite a nice trot tour with diligent extensions and lofty half-passes. Vancouver's passage is very high quality with lots of elevation. The horse got too much sit in the first piaffe for a stride or two and lost the rhythm. The extended walk was nice and forward. The second piaffe was better, but again was so eager to sit that he lost his rhythm again. The tempi changes were nice and forward, but a little short in the neck, restricting the stride just slightly. Both pirouettes were very small, though the second was not quite as uphill as the first. The last passage was a real highlight and the final piaffe, though it took a tiny step back, was much more rhythmical. 

Daniel Bachman Andersen & Loxana (DEN): 68.857%

• Bachman Andersen rode nice forward trot work, but had some trouble maintaining consistent suspension in Loxana's trot. The transitions between piaffe and passage were very smooth and kept a clear rhythm throughout, but the movements needed still needed to show the mare rotating her hips down so her hind legs could come underneath herself more. The one tempis jumped really nicely up and through when they were correct, but there was an errors halfway through. The canter pirouettes were well controlled in their rotation. The last line of piaffe and passage was solid. 

Anna-Mengia Aerne & Raffaelo v Bene (SUI): 69.443%

• This horse is a little reminiscent of another grey, Ekwador, with his big odd and light contact, though he pushed more powerfully off the ground and sometimes tends towards getting overly deep. Raffaelo v Bene started on a really powerful extended trot, though he could have reached a bit more under himself behind. The half-passes had very good crossing. The horse cantered out of the second extended trot rather than picking up passage. In the passage itself, the horse really lifted his legs and pushed off the ground. The collected walk was short. The piaffe travelled forward slightly, but was sitting and springy. The two tempis showed good ground cover, the ones were forward but showed a little swinging behind. The first pirouette was small and sitting, but lost a bit of energy at the end as the horse stepped too big around; the second was better. The final piaffe was a little deep, but rhythmical and the final passage impressive.

Hans Peter Minderhoud & Johnson (NED): 77.586%

• Minderhoud place this horse in such a lovely position in the bridle, reaching so nicely into the bit throughout. The rhythm of the trot work was totally consistent. The passage was expressive, the piaffe rhythmical and on the spot. The extend walk could have been more relaxed in the body, but Johnson stretched forward nicely. Minderhoud missed the first count in the two tempis, since it looked like Johnson wasn't quite on his aids at the start. The zig-zag was very balanced even as it travelled well past the centerline on either side. The canter pirouettes were very well controlled and balanced. This combination is just a treat to watch.

Carl Hester & Nip Tuck (GBR): 75.400%

• Nip Tuck's basic trot could step more under behind, but the trot half-passes had lovely bend and suspension. The piaffe is more active behind than in front, but very rhythmical. The extended was could have been a bit more forward, but was relaxed through the body. The passage was lofty. The twos were straight and forward, but could have been more uphill. There was an error in the flying change after the extended canter as Nip tuck got a bit slow behind. The ones jumped really nicely off the ground. While the canter pirouettes kept a really clean canter rhythm, they could have been a hair smaller. 

Tinne Vilhemson-Silfvén & Don Auriello (SWE): 75.157%

• On his usually form, Don Auriello looked light-footed in his reaching extended trot. The trot half-passes could have had a slightly more obedient bend. The hind legs still trailed a bit behind. While the piaffe is small, it is rhythmical and Vilhemson-Silfvén gets Don Auriello up in the bridle and closed at the base. Don Auriello had lovely two tempis that were up in the shoulder, though they could have had a bit more air time. There was an error at the end of the one tempis. The last piaffe was the most active behind and the last passage showed a bit more engagement. 

Morgan Barbançon Mestre & Painted Black (ESP): 73.814%

• This combination was a little off their game today. Though the horse was presented beautifully throughout, there were a number of little mistakes that crept in. Barbançon Mestre rode a lovely extended trot, getting her horse to really push across the centerline with good engagement. the passage was very loftily, but Painted Black pulled down a little in front in the piaffe. The collected walk was very good in the strides, but a hair open in the bridle. The second piaffe was much more sitting, but a bit crooked. The light-footed twos had a couple of errors. The bold one tempis were excellent. The canter pirouettes were very active and uphill, the second even more balanced than the first. 

Mattias Alexander Rath & Totilas (GER): 75.971%

• Totilas showed lovely reach in front and good supple bend in the trot half-passes, though the hind quarters trailed just a hair in both. The extended trots appeared conservative. The first passage started well, but Totilas got a bit deep and backward feeling in piaffe, and a bit out behind for a couple strides in the subsequent passage. The extended walk was relaxed. The second piaffe was again a bit quiet, deep in the bridle, and backwards feeling. The two tempis started spectacularly with big reaching stride, but got a little tight in the bridle towards the end. The canter zig-zag was brave and totally balanced. A few of the one tempis were short behind. The first canter pirouette was tiny. The final extended trot stepped short from the left hind. The final passage showed that amazing elevation in the front legs and matched power from behind that is this horse's highlight. The final piaffe was more up in the bridle, but again stepped backward.

Gonçalo Carvalho & Batuta (POR): 70.557%

• Batuta really lifts her legs through all her movements, but the extended trot had nice reach in it without getting hurried. The half-passes flowed nicely. The first passage was a little over-electric making it hard for Batuta to stay totally regular. The second passage was more relaxed, but a little too open. The rhythm of the piaffe was good. Batuta exploded a bit into canter from passage. The canter zig-zag maintained a very good canter through the changes of direction. Both the one and two tempis were very good, though they could have shown a little more elevation in front. The canter pirouettes turned a little quickly. The final centerline showed a huge passage and solid, expressive piaffe. 

Victoria Max-Theurer & Blind Date (AUT): 75.186%

• Max-Theurer produced a really nice frame on this mare. There was a little hesitation in the trot half-pass left. The passage has lots of elevation, but engages a little more in the left hind. The piaffe loses the energy of the piaffe, though the mare stays correctly low in the croup. The collected walk was relaxed with plenty of overtrick. The two tempis were excellent: uphill and and jumping off the ground. The zig-zag looked easy and had lots of energy. The mare was snorting with tension a bit in the one tempis, though they were still quite high quality. At the end, the passage showed a really nice combination of elevation and forward travel and the piaffe was the best of the test. A high quality test.

Inessa Merkulova & Mister X (RUS): 73.800%

• In her horse's high powered start, Merkulova lost her stirrup for a few strides. The trot half-passes reached sideways really nicely, but lacked sufficient bend. The passage is very high quality and the first piaffe has lots of elevation, but the horse leans forward slightly and should instead take more weight behind. Each piaffe started very early despite the fact the horse hardly travels forward. The second piaffe was more uphill and very impressive. The extended canter took nice big supple strides across the arena. The one tempis were up in the shoulder, but a bit deep in the bridle and could have been straighter. The canter pirouettes were really sitting, but could have been better controlled. The final piaffe-passage line was really excellent. 

Anna Kasprzak & Donnperignon (DEN): 72.771%

• Kasprzak rode for really nice power from behind in the first extended trot. Donnperignon was a little resistant in the bend in the half-pass to the right, but the trot had nice suspension in the half-passes. The first piaffe was a small and a bit braced at the base of the neck. The extended walk marched forward well from behind and the horse really moved through his body. The passage tours were good, but Donnperignon wasn't really with Kasprzak in the piaffe today. The two tempis were big and rangy. Overall, Donnperignon stayed a little more open in the neck than usual, though should still open his frame a bit more at times. The one tempis were excellent. The canter pirouettes had super uphill balance, were controlled, and kept an active canter. The final passage was really good, but the piaffe was still small and irregular. 

Edward Gal & Undercover (NED): 82.229%

• Gal had a very clean entrance, but the trot was already needing to show a little more engagement. The trot half-passes shows lots of supple crossing and very good bend. The rein back was quite clear. Both extended trots were conservative, but this allowed a little better hind leg. The piaffe and passage looked like its usual active clockwork, though Gal didn't really ask the horse to sit in the piaffe. The extended walk was very relaxed, but Gal gave away the contact. Undercover got quite tight in the neck in the second passage tour, but opened up a little for the piaffe. Undercover pulled down and tight in the neck a bit in the two tempis after a bit of a tense preparation. The canter zig-zag really travelled sideways effortlessly. Undercover was again tense in the preparation for the ones with Gal really having to supple him, though they were clean. The first canter pirouette was a little more uphill than usual, but turned a bit around the middle. The second was better placed, but not as up in the shoulder. The final passage was nicely lofty without Undercover snatching his legs, but needed to be more open in the frame. 

Charlotte Dujardin & Valegro (GBR): 84.429%

• Dujardin might have had a touch of nerves for her ride because there were some uncharacteristic bobbles. Valegro's trot extensions were on top form with lots of power from behind and huge reach in front. The half-passes had lots of suspension and ideal bend. Valegro was a little resistant in the bridle for the rein back. There was a double beat in the first piaffe, which was otherwise springy and regular. The extended walk was quite relaxed, but could have a bit more overtrack. The second passage and piaffe was effortless regular and elevated, with smooth transitions. There was a little bobble in the transition from passage to canter. The canter zig-zag was absolutely precise in its movement sideways, but Dujardin had a counting error. Dujardin also had a mistake in the beginning of the ones. The canter pirouettes were super. The final passage could have been a little more up in front, but the passage and piaffe were absolutely supple and regular. 

Patrik Kittel & Deja (SWE): 74.571%

• This mare was looking more relaxed today in her extravagant movement. In the trot half-passes Deja really reaches sideways in front. The mare dragged her feet a bit in the rein back. Deja dropped really early into the piaffe and struggled a bit in the transition back up into passage. The extended walk had lots of overtrack and suppleness in the body, though needed more contact with the bridle. Deja sat and closed at the base so much in piaffe that she struggled to keep the rhythm and activity a little. The extended canter was really ground-covering without tension, though the mare was a bit low in the bridle. The ones were really excellent, jumping forward from behind. down the centerline the passage was really easily airy, but the piaffe is still in need of development. 

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat & Delgado (ESP): 77.186%

• Delgado has a very powerful extended trot from behind, but could reach more under his body behind. The trot quality in the half-passes was very good, but the one to the right had hardly any bend. Delgado had a high degree of suspension in passage, and an active piaffe that needed to come more under behind. The extended walk needed to be more ground-covering. The very good second piaffe had more sit. In the two, the change to the left was excellent, but the one to the right had a bit of a hitch, though throughout they were uphill and ground-covering. The ones jumped a lot from side to side and needed to cover more ground.  Delgado jumped together behind a bit in the canter pirouettes, bout was really sitting. Ferrer-Salat had an unfortunate break to canter in the last extended trot, but a high class final line. 

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe & Desperados (GER): 79.986%

• Bröring-Sprehe rode absolutely top class half-passes with really supple crossing. The rein back was a tiny bit tense and hurried. Desperados's huge passage was just a tiny bit irregular and the stallion got so much sit in piaffe that he lost the rhythm for a stride. Again, there was some irregularity in the enormous second passage. The twos started absolutely lovely and uphill but lost just a tiny bit of energy towards the end. The canter zig-zag was smooth, but not totally centered. The one tempis were beautifully uphill and the canter pirouettes really uphill and balanced. The final trot extension could have been a bit more under behind. Again there were a couple double beats in the final passage, but the piaffe was more consistent. 

FEI World Cup Final 2015 Las Vegas - Grand Prix

Charlotte Dujardin & Valegro: 85.529%

• The pair had a little wobble coming out of the halt on their power opening centerline. The first extended trot was super, but a little slow to develop. The half-passes in trot were beautifully powerful in their movement forward and reach sideways. The second extended trot was powerful and stepped under very well behind. Valegro lost a little energy in the transition out of the first piaffe. The extended walk looked more relaxed in the body than usual and the collected walk showed clean steps. The second series of piaffe and passage was more sitting, controlled, and powerful than the first. The two tempis were phenomenal: uphill and  ground-covering with an excellent canter rhythm. The canter zig-zag traveled well to either side of the centerline with good balance in the changes of direction. The canter pirouettes sitting and super controlled in their balance, though perhaps could have taken another stride around. The passage on the final centerline had Valegro lifting his front end powerfully off the ground. 

Edward Gal & Undercover: 79.057%

• Undercover showed the same strengths and weaknesses as usual: Gal rides him with impeccable precision, but at times this results in tightness in the horse's frame (though Gal did let go more than usual, resulting in some very nice moments). In the trot-halfpasses, the horse opened up in the frame some and appeared to just float sideways. The first piaffe showed Undercover sitting more than usual, which added to his near-perfect rhythm made for a very strong picture. The extended walk was weak. Gal had errors in the transition to passage from collected walk and up into canter from passage. The two tempis were quite good in their ground cover, though Gal rode them by turning the horse's head slightly. The canter zig-zag was beautifully balanced. Gal had some issues preparing Undercover for the one-tempis resulting in some changes that were close behind. The canter pirouettes were so effortlessly small, but still could be more sitting. On the final line, Undercover piaffed and passaged like he had a built in metronome.

Steffen Peters & Legolas: 76.843%

• Legolas was not totally regular in the early trot work, but Peters rode lovely half-passes, getting the horse to really reach softly sideways. The bouncy passage could still show more elevation in front. The first piaffe was very good and the transitions in and out were effortless. The walk was forward and relaxed, but a bit off the contact. Legolas was a little slow to pick up passage from collected walk. The elevation in front in the second piaffe better matched the activity behind. The tempi changes are still a weak point for this horse, but they were clean. Legolas looked a bit stuck and insecure in the canter zig-zag. The canter rhythm in the pirouettes was very good, though they could have been more uphill. The last piaffe was superb. Still, I thought this test was a bit generously scored. 

Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl & Unee BB: 74.871%

• Unee has a very nice extended trot, with reach in front nice matched from behind, though he was a bit deep in the bridle. The passage lifts well off the ground, but Unee does not always engage to the same degree in every step. The extended walk was very good: relaxed, forward, and open in the frame. The piaffe is very good in its activity, though it like the passage is a hair inconsistent. Von Bredow-Werndl had an unfortunate error in her otherwise good two tempis and then had a break into trot leading into the extended canter. The canter in the one-tempos was good, but could have covered more ground. The uphill canter pirouettes were a little big and Von Bredow-Werndl could quite stop them from over-rotating. The final centerline from the front looked uphill and rhythmical. 

Laura Graves & Verdades: 74.286%

• Coming in Verdades looked a little jazzed up in the atmosphere of the Thomas and Mack center. The first extended trot was a bit quick and could have had more reach in the stride and frame. The trot half-passes really powered sideways, but Verdades spooked a little at the end of the second. The first passage was big and came way off the ground, but the piaffe was anxious and never quite settled into a rhythm (it was rather generously scored). The engagement in the second passage was super again and the piaffe was then more regular, though slightly crooked. The two tempis were nicely uphill, but showed the horse's tension in a few strides. Graves lost the haunches in the last half-pass of the zig-zag. Verdades steps way under himself in the one-tempis. The first pirouette was tiny and really sitting; the second was also good, but a tiny bit hurried. The last piaffe passage was by far the strongest. Graves did a masterful job riding a very hot horse without giving up much in expression.

Morgan Barbançon-Mestre & Painted Black: 73.786%

• For the first time in a while, Barbançon-Mestre really rode for it in the first extended trot, getting that lovely reach in front that Painted Black is capable of, though she could have asked for more in the second. The half passes were lovely and flowing. The piaffe and passage are regular and springy with easy transitions, but in all of them, Painted Black could take more weight behind. The two tempis were uphill and ground-covering. The extended canter could have been braver and more uphill. Painted Black got a bit deep in the bridle both in the piaffe and the canter pirouettes, though the pirouettes were small and active. This stallion at 18 years old looked as good as ever and makes a lovely team with Barbançon-Mestre.

Hans Peter Minderhoud & Flirt: 73.657%

• In extended trot, the movement of Flirt's front and hind legs are nicely matched, but the horse needs to stretch out more into the bridle. The trot half-passes were lovely with lots of suspension. The passage was springy and the piaffe strong, but in both, the horse got slightly deep and behind the vertical, so he could step more forward-feeling into the bridle. The rhythm of the extended walk was excellent. The two tempis traveled forward nicely, but Flirt's haunches swung slightly from side to side. In general, there were a number of moments where Minderhoud just seemed to lose some control of the position of the horse's haunches, sometimes hitting the boards. The canter pirouettes could have shown more sit. On the final centerline, Flirt's expressive and rhythmical final passage was a bit wide behind, while the piaffe got a bit wide in front. 

Isabell Werth & El Santo: 72.843%

• El Santo overall is a powerful, forward-moving horse, but often pushes his weight a little too far forward. The trot-halfpasses, though, were—as we would expect from Werth—beautifully uphill, with El Santo really pushing sideways. El Santo really drops his croup for the piaffe, but still travels too far forward in it and gets his front legs a little too much underneath himself. The two tempi changes were huge and uphill, though perhaps not showing the purest canter. The one tempi changes got a bit stuck. The canter pirouettes were tiny and really sitting, though the second could have had a little better balance in the turning. The final centerline from the front was absolutely straight, powerful, and rhythmical. 

Paulinda Friberg & Di Lapponia: 72.686%

• The early trot work in the test was a little tight in the body, resulting in a rather restricted extended trot. The half-passes showed minor irregularities, but pushed sideways very nicely. The passage is extravagant and engaged, and the mare moves cleanly back into an energetic piaffe and up again into passage. The tempis were clean, but could have been more relaxed in each stride. The first canter pirouette stepped a bit far off the centerline and then Friberg lost the haunches slightly, but the one to the right was much improved. The last centerline was really top class, showing off Di Lapponia's real strength. 

Inessa Merkulova & Mister X: 71.343%

• Mister X has a lot of suspension in his trot and lovely reaching gaits, though there was some minor unsteadiness in it and a few heavy half-halts from Merkulova. The half-passes could have had a bit more bend. The rein back showed very nice clear diagonal steps. While the first piaffe was very far in front of the mark, it was regular, sitting and springy—this horse has a real talent to collect with activity. Mister X showed a very relaxed extended walk in the arena's electric atmosphere. The second piaffe had so much sit the horse lost his balance and rhythm slightly. The two tempis were energetic, but tended to get a bit stiff-legged in front in the in-between stride. Merkulova met with some resistance beginning the one-tempis, but they were clean. The piaffe and passage work at the end was a real highlight and Merkulova looked absolutely delighted with her ride. 

Fabienne Lütkemeier & Qui Vincit Dyanmis: 70.857%

• The lively Qui Vincit Dynamis has a great front end, but minor issues in the contact: he gets a bit tight in the neck and at times shows a slight head tilt. The extended trot could have been more elevated in front. The piaffe and passage were rhythmical, but could have shown better engagement, especially in the upward transition. The collected walk was quite resticted. Overall in the canter work, the gelding could step more under with the inside hind leg. The canter zig-zag was quite balanced in the changes of direction. The last piaffe could have been more clearly active, but the final passage showed lovely elevation in front.

Mikala Munter Gundersen & My Lady: 70.414%

• My Lady really powers along in extended trot, but could take more weight behind in it. In the trot half-passes, Munter Gundersen rode the mare in good bend with nice crossing, but the trot got a bit passage-like. The elevated passage could come more under behind. In the extended walk, the mare was relaxed in her strides, but a little reticent to stretch forward and downward. The second passage showed better engagement behind. Munter Gundersen had a small error in the transition from passage to canter. The two tempis showed a very nice canter rhythm. The flying change at the end of the extended canter was late behind, with the mare looking a little sticky to the leg. The pirouettes were small and controlled in their turning, but could have had more jump in the canter. There were a couple small wobbles in the final piaffe.

Terhi Stegars & Axis: 69.871%

• In the trot work, Axis showed a really nice forward movement, but at times, the stallion loses pushing power for a half-stride from behind and gets a bit out behind. This issue also showed up in the piaffe and loftypassage, particularly in the second series. The collected walk got a bit lateral. Stegars rode very relaxed power into the extended canter. The tempi changes were solid. Axis could have been a bit more balanced as he turned through the canter pirouette, instead taking rather large strides around. The final piaffe drifted slightly right. Overall, the pair looked very well confirmed in the test, with the main issues coming from the horse's little weaknesses behind. 

Lars Petersen & Mariett: 69.329%

• Petersen pushed for a big first extended trot, but it looked like a bit more than the mare could offer in balance because she became slightly irregular. Mariett lost some suspension in the trot half-passes, but showed lovely crossing. Mariett was nicely springy and elevated in front in the passage, though in the first piaffe she lost some energy. While the mare closes at the base in piaffe, she could take more weight behind. They had an error early on in the two-tempis. The canter zig-zag was a bit laboured. The first canter pirouette turned with strides that were too big, and Mariett lost her balance coming out, resulting in an extra flying change and the mare's haunches swinging out to the right. The second was better but still not completely balanced. They finished nicely, but the ride had a number of errors. Overall, their test could look easier.

Malin Hamilton & Fleetwood: 68.129%

• In the trot work, Hamilton struggled quite a bit to balance regularity with power from behind. In passage, the horse snatches his hind legs up slightly, though there is plenty of spring. Fleetwood stretched very nicely into the bridle in the relaxed extended walk. The piaffe is good, but travels a bit too much forward. The tempi changes were clean and straight, but could have been reached with more uphill, supple strides. Hamilton rode the first pirouette almost too small, with the horse getting a bit backward feeling and the second, while sitting, turned a bit around the middle of the horse. The transitions between piaffe and passage on the final centerline were very nice. 

Agnete Kirk Thinggaard & Jojo AZ: 67.986%

• This pair had a very nice entrance centerline. The half-passes were fluid, but Jojo could have shown more reach sideways. Kirk Thinggaard ride a very nice square halt into a clean rein back. The piaffe is quite nice and closed at the base, but the passage could have been a bit more engaged behind. Jojo does not have the best natural canter rhythm and the two tempis, while uphill and forward had and error behind early on. The horse lost his rhythm in the final extended trot, but had a strong last centerline. 

Elena Sidneva & Romeo Star: 67.014%

• Romeo Star is a lovely moving horse, but a few of the elements of the Grand Prix could have been a bit more secure in the test. The haunches lagged significantly in the half pass right, but both trot half-passes maintained the gait's suspension. Romeo Star has a nice springy passage, but the piaffe is a bit sticky. The two tempis were fluid and ground-covering, but often jumped a little close together behind. The canter zig-zag was a bit laboured. The canter pirouettes were uphill in their balance, but Romeo Star took rather large strides around to keep that balance.  

Tatiana Dorofeeva & Upperville: 66.971%

• Upperville steps very nicely under behind while reaching up in front in the extended trot, but wasn't totally regular and could have been more uphill. The half-passes were slightly restricted. Upperville lifts his legs nicely in piaffe, but could step more cleanly between diagonal pairs. The extended walk was nicely active from behind without tension. The stallion gets a bit out behind in the transition from piaffe to passage. The two tempis were big and relaxed, but could have been more up in front and the last one was a touch close behind. Overall, the stallion could be lighter in the shoulder and in the bridle, and was quite possibly getting a bit behind Dorofeeva's leg.