WEG: Official Horse Deals Coverage Week 1

"Pot never gets tired" commented Lyndal Oatley of her Jazz gelding and was very much full of running after his Grand Prix test. Lyndal had her hands full holding him.

"You can take the girl out of the showring etc". Lyndal Oatley and 'Potifar' (Jazz/Pion mare) looked sensational and produced a good Australian team debut test for 65.57% and provisional 21st place after the first half of the Grand Prix.

Influential and popular Dressage Website, Dressage Direct's principal, Claartie van Andel no doubt discussing the finer points of dressage with former Champion German rider and Australian Eventing Team dressage coach, Harry Boldt.

Belgian combination, Claudia Fassaert and 'Donnerfee' (De Niro/Rosenkavalier mare) earned 66.25% in the Grand Prix.

Columbian rider, Marco Bernal is pictured with his Trakhener stallion, 'Halbgott' (Partout/Consul mare) during the first morning section of the Grand Prix Dressage competition. The Grand Prix to determine the Dressage Team Championship is conducted over two days, with roughly the top 25 going through to the Grand Prix Special.

Hans Peter Minderhoud was first out for the all conquering Dutch Team. Riding his Hong Kong partner, 'Exquis Nadine' (TN Partout/Roeme mare) the combination scored 72.25% to be in provisional third place after the first day of Grand Prix competition.

Irish rider, Judy Reynolds was out early with her 'Remember 143' (Careful/Prins Oregon mare) earning a percentage of 61.02.

A similar photo taken four years ago at Aachen would have shown a colourful display of umbrellas. However, they are not permitted at the Kentucky WEG venue. Apparently the Germans know how to handle an umbrella. This picture depicts a group of Australian dressage enthusiasts suitably dressed for the weather and if you look carefully you can see Merilyn Hamilton-Smith in the bottom left hand corner. The forecast is not good. "Above average precipitation".

The first of Spain's wonderful team of Andaluaians, the stallion 'Gnidium', Perdiguero II/Pestillo mare) ridden by Rafael Ortiz earned 63.02% on the first day of the Grand Prix Dressage competition.

Champion German rider, Klaus Balkenhol's daughter, Anabel represents the youthful German Team. Anabel rode her father's 'Dablino' (De Niro/Wanderbursch mare) to earn 67.70% as opener for Germany in the Team Grand Prix competition.

Japanese Team members, Hiroyuki Kitahara and 'Why Me' put their best foot forward during the Grand Prix Dressage Team competition.

British Team member, Fiona Bigwood has every reason to be pleased. She rode her 'Wie Atlantico De Ymas' (Weltmeyer/ Rondo mare) to score 70.12%.

"Team Spirit". Nerida Downes, mother of Australian Dressage Team member, Rachael Sanna it pictured with John Edwards, co breeder and owner of 'Jaybee Alabaster' the horse Rachael is riding for the Australian team.

Finnish individual, Emma Kanerva looks pleased with 'Sini Spirit' (Esprit/Gluecksgril mare) that produced a pleasing test for 68.85% in the Grand Prix Team competition and first Individual qualifier. Apparently ear bonnets are allowed at WEG this year because for the flies. I don't think they know flies!

After the long ride, (120km) the joy of victory. Spain's Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton was second at the first two gates and first at the remaining four to take out the WEG Endurance Championship. The Champion is pictured with individual Bronze and Team Champion, HE Sh Hamdan Mohd Al Maktoum from The United Arab Emirates.

Brazilian Team member, Luis Tavares de Almeida looks delighted at the end of her Grand Prix riding the charming Luisitano, 'Samba' (Inca/Habil mare). They are in provisional 26th place with 63.57% after the first half for the Team Grand Prix.

"Parents under pressure". Carol and Sandy Oatley prove that it is much worse watching. Their daughter Lyndal was about to make her debut appearance on the Australian dressage Team. Carol and Sandy really had nothing to worry about.

Gaston Chelius is the only rider from Finland in the competition. He is pictured riding 'Flamenco R' (Florestan 1/Romanov mare).

Even though this WEG is just beginning, there is no time to be lost organising your trip to WEG 2014 which will be held in Caen, Normandy France the heart of French horse country. 2014 will run from the 17th - 31st August.

Dressage Cowgirl, Anky van Grunsven. At a reining media conference Anky was asked about her ride in the Reining Freestyle later in the week and how she thought she would go? Anky replied that she did not know, but "I am good at riding to music". Anky will ride to West Side Story.

The American version of espresso coffee! One does not want to bang on about the coffee, but we are really spoilt in Australia for good coffee and many other things of course.

USA Team members, Todd Flettrich and 'Otto' (Rambo/Rampal mare) earned 66.55% and are in provisional 16th place after the first half of the Grand Prix.

Regular Dutch team members, Imke Schellekens-Bartels and the mare,'Hunter Douglas Sunrise' (Singular Joter/Werther mare) produced a good test for 73.44% and provisional first place after the first round of the Grand Prix. After two Team riders, The Netherlands hold first place in the Team competition.

Canadian judge and regular Australian visitor, Cara Witham is a member of the WEG Ground Jury. Her jacket illustrates the change in the weather.

It's party time in the grandstands. As always there are many Australians at WEG and this group certainly is making the most of their time.

The Spanish Team has many admirers with Claudia Castilla Ruiz and the Lusitano stallion 'Jade de MV' (Musico/Neptuno mare) demonstrate why. They are in provisional 14th place after the first round of the Grand Prix with 67.31%.

Young German rider, Christoph Koschel earned 72.63% riding his father Jurgen Koschel's 'Donnperignon' (Donnerhall/Mozart II mare) for provisional second place after the first half of the Grand Prix, with the German Team also in provisional second place at this stage of the competition.

It may have rained on Rachael's parade, but that did not stop her from earning a really pleasing 68.80% riding Bev Edwards' Jaybee Alabaster' (Alabaster/Glorieux) to take provisional ninth place after the first half had completed their tests. Rachael rode beautifully and after two Team members have completed their test, Australia are in seventh place of the 14 teams competing..

Australian team member, Rachael Sanna was clearly delighted with her 68.80% aboard Bev Edward's 'Jaybee Alabaster'.

USA Team rider, Katherine Bateson-Chandler is delighted with her 69.61% earned with Jane Clark's 'Nartan' (Jazz/Le Faquin mare). After two members have completed their tests, the USA is in provisional fourth place.