The Next Generation of Dressage Superstars emerge at Ermelo

by Louise Parkes

The Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses 2018 certainly didn’t disappoint as 22,000 visitors from all across the globe enjoyed five days of spectacular sport. This was the third time for the event to take place in Ermelo (NED), and a total of 180 horses from 19 studbooks lined out in the three age categories. The Westphalian stallion, Revolution, claimed the Five-Year-Old title, the Hannoverian, d’Avie, topped the Six-Year-Olds and the KWPN, Glamourdale, clinched pole position in the Seven-Year-Old division. And as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Aat Both, pointed out, “the overall quality was formidable!”

Five-Year-Olds

Winner of the first qualifying competition, Revolution (Rocky Lee x Rouletto) earned a massive 9.62 points and posted two perfect-10 scores in yesterday’s Final. Ground Jury member Maria Colliander described him as “a rockstar, a powerhouse” after he pinned the Hannoverian stallion, Destacado (Desperados x Londonderry) ridden by Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath, into runner-up spot and and the Oldenburg mare, Candy OLD (Sir Donnerhall x Furst Heinrich) with Rath’s compatriot Eva Moller on board into third.

Revolution’s Danish rider, Andreas Helgstrand (41), was very proud of his rising star. “I always say that all of our horses are for sale, but this one is special to me. What else can you wish for? He has such a nice character, it is out of this world! I previously owned the triple world champion Sezuan, but I think Revolution is even more complete!”

Seven-Year-Olds

The medals for the oldest category of horses were next to be decided, and the four that were heading the leaderboard going into this morning’s finale remained at the top, but not in the same order. Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) was in third as the day began and the powerful black stallion proved to be the show-stealer, also picking up a 10 for his fantastic canter.

Posting a mark of 87.050 for British rider Charlotte Fry (22) he was almost three percentage points clear of the KWPN stallion Governor-Str and Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen who were taking their second silver medal in 12 months, while Norway’s isabel Freese steered the Hannoverian, Fuersten-Look (Furstenball x Londonderry), into bronze. The latter were the leading pair as the day began, but a mistake in the last line of their test cost them dearly.

"I have never experienced anything like this, I can't believe it! I am so thankful that I get to ride such a good horse!” said gold medallist Fry.

Six-Year-Olds

Last but not least to take their places on the podium were the six-year-old contingent and it was a special moment for Spanish rider Severo Jurado Lopez when he collected his fourth gold medal and his third in succession at Ermelo. That meant he also claimed his third Longines watch today.

His Hannoverian chestnut d’Avie (Don Juan de Hus x Londonderry) collected 9.26 points to finish just ahead of Germany’s Laura Strobel with the Rheinlander Villeneuve (Vitalis x Dancier), while bronze went to Dutch rider Dinja van Liere with the KWPN Hermes (Easy Game x Flemmingh) who scored 8.78.

“D’Avie is a superb horse with a bright future ahead!” said judge Isobel Wessels. “I have to thank him for this medal!” Severo Jurado Lopez insisted. “He was good the first day, but today could not have gone better!”

Results here