Bundeschampionate, Warendorf, Germany
MORE than 35,000 attended this year’s Bundeschampionat in Warendorf. The highest scorers of the preliminary tests in the five- and six-year-old dressage divisions, Valverde and Zum Glück, built on their performances in the qualifiers to take the two main gold medals at stake.
The most advanced class, the six-year-old division, went to Dutch rider Robin van Lierop and Oldenburg stallion Zum Glück RS2 OLD (Zonik x Florestan). The Kasselmann-bred stallion was the price highlight of the 2017 PSI Auction, where he was sold to Dutch couple Saskia and Jacques Lemmens of RS2 Dressage for €850,000 (about £757,778). Last year, van Lierop was the first-ever Dutchman to pick up a medal at the Bundeschampionate. This year, he produced an impeccable test to claim gold.
The trot, which was awarded a nine, had plenty of cadence, with flowing half-passes and easy lateral work. The huge walk collected beautifully to produce tiny turns on the haunches for 9.5.
The canter, awarded a 10, included gorgeous extensions and four secure, uphill changes. As Dietrich Plewa, who provided commentary from the judges’ box after each ride, put it, this test was “a succession of highlights”.
This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.
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This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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