“Wow, Tessa!” Those were the first words from judge Monique Peutz-Vegter. With an overall score of 83.429 per cent, the Dutch mare Odi Murona secured the gold medal in the seven-year-old dressage horse class at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Verden – presented by Tessa Kole in the Helgstrand Prize in the HORSE24 Arena.
The individual marks in the quality assessment were 9.5 for the trot, 8.5 for the walk, 9.0 for the canter, and 9.5 each for submission and prospect. The two technical marks were 74.429 per cent and 75.286 per cent. The rider was stunned: “I’ve been riding this mare since she was three and she’s simply incredible.” At the age of five, the new world champion had already had a foal; at six, she was selected for the World Championships, but… “Last year, the rule was still in place that you couldn’t compete in two championships, and I was also competing at the European Young Riders Championships,” explains Tessa, “so I wasn’t allowed to ride at the World Championships. Fortunately, I was allowed to this year.” The van Belois couple bought the mare as a foal, originally as a broodmare. “Tessa started training her and she won practically everywhere she competed. Some people told me I’d be wise to put her into competition first. So we changed our plans and now we’re world champions,” beams Ko van Belois.
The World Champion is a daughter of Blue Hors Farrell, out of a Johnson dam bred by Jo van de Broek. “I saw Farrell at the stallion show back then and immediately thought he was a brilliant stallion. We first covered a few other mares with him and always had wonderful, long-legged and expressive foals. And then Odi Murona came along and found the perfect rider in Tessa.”
World Championship runner-up Secret Agent
The Hanoverian Secret/De Niro son Secret Agent became World Championship runner-up with 83.115 per cent. It was his walk that prevented him from winning – just as it had in the qualifier – but rider and owner Charlotte Dujardin was nonetheless bursting with pride in this horse. In the walk, the judges awarded only a 7.0 today; all other marks in the quality assessment were 9.3 and above. Technically, the pair’s performance was rated at 74.857 and a solid 78 per cent. “I saw this horse on the lunge when he was two years old and knew straight away that he was the one for me,” explained the Olympic champion, beaming. “And we’re a great match in terms of temperament too. He’s a born ‘performer’. He loves an audience. He loves to work. And his qualities are phenomenal. He’d only been to one overnight show before, but he makes it all look so effortless. I couldn’t have imagined a better weekend here with him.” The stallion was bred by the Nicole and Friedrich Sievers breeding partnership, but he is not currently used for stud duties. Charlotte Dujardin’s aim with this exceptional beauty is clearly not breeding, but Grand Prix competition. “The Olympic Games in Los Angeles aren’t that far away now,” Dujardin smiles.
“It would be lovely to have him as an option for that.”
World Championship bronze for Brandtbjerg’s Divya
World Championship bronze went to last year’s Danish World Championship runner-up: Brandtbjerg’s Divya by Hesselhoej Donkey Boy, out of a Don Olymbrio dam bred by Brandtbjerggaard/the Buhl family. Maibritt Rosenkilde bought the mare following her World Championship success last year; since then, the now 20-year-old Theresa Rosenkilde has been riding her and is also presenting her at the World Championships. “I’ve only been riding her for just under a year, but we already have such a great partnership,” says the bronze medallist happily. “I’ll now continue to train her and hopefully be able to compete with her in the Young Riders category next year.”
For all three riders on the podium, it was their first time competing at the World Championships for Young Dressage Horses – and they thoroughly enjoyed it.
The verdict from commentator Monique Peutz-Vegter:
“We had a few spine-tingling moments during today’s final for the seven-year-olds. We saw some wonderful horses that were presented really well. Dressage has changed and, in my view, for the better. There’s more of a focus on the natural quality of the movements and the harmonious partnership between horse and rider. We need to focus on the ‘happy athlete’.”
All good things: 7 Secrets
An overview of the sires most represented in the World Championships’ finals, compiled by the website equestrian-hub.com: Leading the way is Secret with seven offspring, followed by Lord Europe with four. A further six sires have two offspring in the finals: Blue Hors Farrell, Dynamic Dream, Glock’s Romanov, Hesselhøj Donkey Boy, Suarez and Vitalis.
Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen appointed ‘Reitmeister’
Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen has been awarded the title of ‘Reitmeister’ – the highest honour in German equestrian sport – during the World Championships in Verden. For 26 years, as national coach for young dressage riders, he has been responsible for the future of German dressage. During this time, his riders have won a total of 186 medals at European Championships. Meyer zu Strohen is regarded as an outstanding coach, mentor and guide who has discovered, nurtured and left a lasting mark on numerous talented riders. His focus is on classical training, treating the horse with respect and developing a riding style based on partnership. His straightforwardness, reliability, professional expertise and down-to-earth manner command great trust among riders, families and colleagues. Many successful dressage riders have passed through key stages of their careers alongside him. The award therefore honours not only an exceptional coaching career, but also a life’s work that has had a lasting impact on German dressage. Hans-Heinrich Meyer zu Strohen is thus the 40th Master of Equestrian Sport in Germany.
Strong OnLive Championship Auction
An outstanding auction result was achieved at the Hanoverian Society’s Championship Auction, held on the fringes of the World Championships in Verden.
The top price was achieved by the four-year-old liver chestnut mare Hann.Pr.St. Vancouver Lady by Vitalis/Sir Donnerhall, who was sold to Sweden for 300,000 euros. The seven riding horses on offer achieved an average price of 138,714 euros.
The eleven foals were also in high demand and achieved an average price of 24,727 euros. The most expensive foal was the colt Vermentino by Va Bene/Quaterback, which sold for 44,000 euros. The top-class collection attracted international buyers, who ensured a successful auction both on-site and online.