Jon Pederson (Denmark) on Esprit de Valdemar, a 14 year old, black, Hanoverian gelding by Espri, was the third place finisher in 13^th for Denmark behind Lone Jorgensen in 5^th and Lars Petersen in 8th . This rider works much too hard, twists his shoulders, (let the horse do the work). Trot half pass received 6s and 7s. He keeps his rhythm but doesn’t sink (lower his haunches much) on piaffe and was rewarded with one 9. The rain quit during his ride. Compared to Rusty who needed almost the entire diagonal for his tempis, Esprit used five canter strides after twos to reach the path and almost six strides after the ones, where Rusty was right on corner. Tempis earned 7s and 8s. The Danish team has a good chance for a medal at Sydney.

7878, 7867, 7777,7777,7667

Kyra Kyrklund, Finland, and 9 year old, elegant bay Danish Warmblood stallion, Lillemarkens Arkibal. They lucked out in not having to ride in rain, but it was quite cool. Their transition from passage to walk could hardly have been better and was rewarded with three 9’s and two 8s. The extended walk earned a couple of 8s. But the young stallion didn’t want to passage and returned to walk. The piaffe needs more improvement, swinging back and forth behind, earning only 4s and 5s. The next passage was very good earning 8s. This horse has the talent, just needs more experience. The extended canter brought a range of scores from a 3 and two 4s to two 7s – obviously a viewing difference by the judges position. (34477) Canter pirouette only earned an average 5, but the tempis earned 8s. This elegant, delicate, dark bay stallion has a lovely extended trot and gorgeous passage that often earns 8s. Piaffe needs much improvement, but this horse is very young and has time to improve – just not much before Sydney.
Collective: 8768
327 323 329 305 319, 64.16, 30^th.

Olympic Jup with Sonja Gadermann, this second team combination from the Netherlands was the third place finisher for the team and 18^th overall. Jup is a 9 year old, dappled grey, Dutch warmblood gelding by Democraat. A seven on the halt set the tone for more 7s from this young gelding including extended trot where his front end just floats above the ground and 7s for his passage. As with many young horses, his piaffe needs much improvement as he crosses his legs behind and earns only 4s and 5s.
324, 344, 341, 316, 348, 66.88%, 18th

Radissonn Diamond, a thirteen year old, bay Dutch warmblood gelding ridden by Patizia Bottani, Switzerland. This horse is heavy on the forehand. Rain started again during the tempis, Mostly rider error – she is behind the vertical and hanging on the bit.

306, 293, 301, 309, 299, 60.28, 37th

Hubertus Schmidt, Germany’s second team, on the eleven year old, bay Westphalian mare, My Fair Lady, rides to music from the show. Resistance on the initial halt earned only 3s and 4s, but 9s on the next movement, extended trot. Finishing 7^th with a 71. 60%, this pair also shows that the German second team could win medals over most other nations.

Jan Brink, Sweden, on Bjoersells Briar, a 9 year old, chestnut Swedish Warmblood stallion by Magini. This is a big horse with three white socks and a white blaze. The first piaffe was only acceptable but the second one was much better. Sehr gut one tempis, the flying changes leaped. Walk pirouette earned 7s and an 8. The commentator says reins are too long. The sun is out, half pass trot too quick, a few trot steps in walk, transition to piaffe good, rhythm pretty good, up to that point he was pretty tense. Herman’s footing doing super in spite of the off and on rain. There isn’t a single puddle to be seen. 65.80 % - 24^rd

Nadine Capellmann, German, on ten year old, chestnut, Westphalian gelding, Farbenfroh, who is just awesome. Big strides across the diagonal, beautiful jump through in the change. Walk pirouette is one of the best we’ve seen today – both ways. Nice reinback. Transitions nice. Very expressive passage, brings his knees way up, nice trans to walk, Alert, eager, looking at something else, but still obedient.

Transition from walk to passage, had a mistake with a canter step, passage piaffe passage trans very good. Piaffe nice, 8’s. Extended canter excellent earning two 9s and two 8s. Canter pirouettes earned 8s. Fabenfroh’s extended trot just floats with the front, reaching underneath with the back legs. This gelding has a lot of expression, a lot of presence. FEI head judge, Eric Lette, from Sweden gave him 80%.

400 359 363 357 375 74.16% 4^th

Anne van Olst, Denmark on Any How, a fourteen year old, bay Hanoverian gelding by Atateurk. This is a very nice horse and started with a nice square halt as the sun came out. They were the fourth place finisher for Denmark, 33^rd overall with a 63.28%. Tempis earned only 5s and 6s as he changed in front before he changed behind. Nice pirouettes earned one 8. Nice piaffe (6s),passage – some 8s a few mistakes. Reins are too long and rider is behind the vertical. Three mistakes in the one tempis. It is tough following Farbenfroh, who just drips presence. This is a nice horse but only mediocre compared to Fabenfroh.