Last year’s silver medallist moved up the ranks to take gold at the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships in Verden.  Uno Donna Unique (s.Don Schufro), ridden by Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, was the undisputed World Champion of the 6 year old division at the German fixture in which Danish horses excelled.

The new five year old World Champion however comes from Holland – Astrix (s.Obelisk) helped Emmelie Scholtens to win her second consecutive title.

The points for Uno Donna Unique, awarded by Dr Wojciech Markowski, Elisabeth Max-Theurer, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Angelika Frömming were spectacular – a total of 9.46.  Equally spectacular was the way the judges had to mark down Helgstrand’s other horse, last year’s gold medallist Hönnerups Driver (s. Blue Hors Romanov). Due to ‘exaggerated movements’, ‘passage-like trot’ and problems with the contact, Driver this time only earned in 12th place with a score of 7.80.

The new World Champion Uno Donna Unique has grown stronger and more stable, showing three superb basic gaits, and the judging panel were highly impressed.

ONE RIDER, TWO MEDALS

One lady rider took both silver and bronze. Aboard the powerful Hanoverian Soliere (s.Sandro Hit), Eva Möller from Germany earned 8.66, only slightly more than the result of her other ride Blickpunkt (v.Belissimo M), who gained his second consecutive bronze medal with a mark of 8.54.  Again Blickpunkt excelled in trot, while Soliere showed the better canter.

“Winning silver and bronze makes the whole thing complete for me”, said Möller who was third with Blickpunkt last year and who won the Bundeschampionat in Germany in 2009 with the Belissimo M offspring. “My husband Ulf bought both horses when they were foals, so this really is special to us.”

Fourth place went to another Don Schufro offspring, Rebelle, ridden by Maria Andersen from Denmark (8.42). Don Schufro is also the dam sire of the fifth placed horse Skovens Rafael, ridden by Denmark’s Lotte Skaerbek. This approved son of Blue Hors Romanov showed tremendous potential for Grand Prix (8.38).

EMMELLE AGAIN

In the 5 year old division Holland’s Emmelie Scholtens emulated her success in the 6 year old section at the previous Championships.  In 2009 she took gold with Westpoint, this time she rode Astrix – also a KWPN bred stallion – to take the 5 year old honours.

“This time was a lot more relaxed”, said Emmelie after the prize giving ceremony. “Last year was my first time, there was a lot of pressure. This time I just had a lovely ride. Obviously, after Thursday, when he won the qualifier, there was a bit of pressure, but I had a great time on him anyway. He is such a nice character! Anyone can perform the test I had with Astrix today!”

Three very good basic gaits, a beautiful dressage model, a golden temperament and very good rideability – Astrix (Obelisk out of an Olivi dam) has it all.

The winning horse achieved a score of 9.18 points while second placed Lissaro van de Helle (Lissabon x Matcho A) was awarded 9.08 as Claudia Ruscher claimed both silver and bronze.  This was a superb result for the German rider who was competing in her very first World Championships at Verden.  The Hanoverian bred and approved Lissaro van de Helle equalled the quality of the gold-medal-winning Astrix in walk and canter, but had to give way in trot.

POWERFUL GAITS

Bronze went to Ruscher and Stedinger’s son Schumacher (8.76), who made a huge impression with his powerful gaits. “Lissaro is a very quiet stallion”, said Rüscher, comparing her two rides. “He’s bothered by nothing, he just does his job. Schumacher is a little more delicate, but he has a great mentality.”

Fourth place went to one of the greatest dressage talents in the field: Damon Jerome H, by the former double World Champion Damon Hill.  Ridden by Uta Gräf from Germany this stallion missed the bronze medal by only 0.02 points.  Two Danish horses, second generation offspring of Sandro Hit, were placed fifth and sixth, the light-footed Grevens Sa Va (s.Soprano), ridden by Camilla Ahlers Pedersen finishing ahead of the expressive Törveslettens Stamina (s.Stedinger), ridden by fellow-Dane, Andreas Helgstrand.

How many medals targeted by Team GB?

Team GB are aiming to get medals in all the disciplines; eventing, dressage and show jumping and Paralympic dressage.

Where are the chances?

Team GB are best placed to succeed in eventing where we have medalled at every Olympics bar one since 1972. In dressage, Britain has European team silver behind it from 2009. Show jumping is going through a rebuilding phase but new team manager Rob Hoekstra is using this autumn’s world championships to trial riders for 2012 rather than focus on immediate medals.

Key issue internationally?

One of the key issues in the sport internationally is the continuous debate over the welfare of the horses and what is reasonable to be asked of the animals, and the levels of medication that are acceptable.

Biggest challenge domestically?

An issue affecting Britain’s equestrian team is ‘horsepower’. Britain needs to keep hold of its best horses, but they are not bound by nationality and can be traded and purchased all over the globe. This makes funding an extremely important part of equestrianism.

Three names to watch?

British riders to look out for Laura Bechtolscheimer, in dressage, and Ben Maher in show jumping. In eventing there is Beijing Olympic bronze medallist and reigning European champion Tina Cook, and Pippa Funnell – absent from top level since 2005 – has returned as a true 2012 prospect.

Biggest international rivals?

Stiff competition is expected from Germany across the board, France and the United States in the show jumping, the Dutch in dressage and Australia in eventing. Dutchman Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas have been unbeatable in dressage freestyle since 2009.

The Pony Club Dressage Objectives

The object of the Competition is to stimulate interest and enjoyment in Dressage and correct training of the horse, thereby encouraging Members to improve their riding by acquiring and establishing an independent seat, and a true knowledge of the aids.

The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider.

British Dressage Special Offer to Pony Club Members

British Dressage are offering Pony Club Members a special discounted rate of £18.00 to join British Dressage for 12 months.  Click on the link below for more information or contact British Dressage.

The rider who scores the highest mark in any class at the 10th Petplan Equine Area Festival Finals at Hartpury College, Glos (7-11 April) will win a five-day intensive training course with top dressage rider, trainer and BHS FellowAdam Kemp.

This new Petplan Equine High Achiever Award is the brainchild of AM Dressage — run by Adam Kemp and rider/trainer Matt Frost — in partnership with specialist insurance company Petplan Equine.

The overall winner will visit Adam at his Gloucestershire yard, where they will receive a tailored five-day training course. The prize includes accommodation and meals, an initial assessment, shared and individual lessons, test riding, lectures in sports psychology and access to a gala evening. The winner will also receive a Petplan Equine numnah and jacket.

Adam Kemp said: “This type of intensive course is a great way for serious amateurs to really polish up and work on that winning edge to help them move onto the next level.”

Alison Andrew of Petplan Equine said: “The Petplan Equine Area Festivals are going from strength to strength with the standard of riding improving every year. We wanted to find a way of rewarding this year’s highest achiever and provide inspiration for the future.”

Four hundred horses and riders will battle it out at the final for this top prize at the championships, which are aimed at amateur riders and run alongside British Dressage’s winter championships.

Taken from Horse and Hound

Top dressage riders and judges are planning a June “Dressage Extravaganza” to raise money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The idea stemmed from a British Dressage forum discussion in snowy January.

“Everyone was moaning about how difficult things were,” recalls Dressage Extravaganza show director and BD judge Gloria Leverett. “So I suggested we stop complaining and do something for other people for a change. The response was amazing and it grew from there.”

Carl Hester (pictured) has agreed to be patron of the event on 26-27 June at Hartpury College, which gave the venue free of charge. “It’s a chance for people to do something,” said Carl. “So come and support us. It should be a great show.”

Classes run from preliminary to grand prix and Saturday night will host a gala featuring top riders such as Carl Hester and GB Chef d’Equipe Richard Davison. There will be a Grand Prix Challenge, compered by David Pincus and featuring an X Factor-style judging panel. “Riders ride against each other and the audience will be asked to join in the judging,” explained David.

Tickets for the gala evening will cost £5.

Click on this link for more information on this horse dressage event.

Taken from http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/homepage