Christopher Hector enjoys a day of magic dressage at Aachen. Okay I know I am a hopeless nostalgic, and I realise that the new stadium at Aachen provides way better, more comfortable viewing for thousands more spectators. But I do fondly remember the old arena, with very limited seating on two sides, a row of bushes down the other. Isabell and Fabienne in β ignore the rabbits and the Terriers. No fancy arena edging back then, and see the three little judges boxes in a row behind Monica.
My pal suggested that back then when those trainers got together and conferred, they reached a consensus on the good and the not good, and this wisdom found its way into the judges boxes. Alas this happens no moreβ¦. In the end the score is Since then the ride has gone to Blue Hors stable jockey, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and Denmark is one nation whose cupboard is full to overflowing.
Seems the judges are saving their marks for the stars later in the draw β They are a little under-marked on The first piaffe travels too far forward, but the second is fine, the pirouettes better, The trot diagonal is a bit hurried and the half pass trails behind. A very good extended walk, but the piaffe is a bit of a struggle, and the twos drag the score down as does the zig zag and the pirouette right. They finish on The black stallion has star power, and finally the judges find their 8 button for the halt, even an 8.
Super up in front canter, 7. This has been the most brilliant test so far, but the mistakes hurt Fortunately the young rider who is the new owner, had a sense of decency, and gave the gelding back to Daniel to ride until after the World Title in Herning. It was a solid enough test, a few glitches here and there, but with a month or two more to consolidate the combination, the chestnut looks to be a solid team horse. The Danish team situation is⦠interesting.
The word is that Princess Nathalie lost the role of team coach after a push from the Helgstrand camp, and Wolfram Wittig was appointed Technical Advisor. But yesterday, as Cathrine Dufour worked in Bohemian, Nathalie, and her long time coach and advisor, Kyra Kyrklund were there arena side, and today, the pair are in the support crew box while Daniel rides.
