Dressage un Ltd, Unlimited Dressage, Jerez 2002 WEG

™

Jerez 2002
WEG

Reprinted with permission
Dressage Today

Video Review

Grand Prix Freestyle, WEG, Jerez 2002
Videotape 2 hours, $49.95. To order:
Dressage un Ltd, Box DUL, 1000 N. Lynn
Lane Rd., Catoosa, OK 74015-2611 or
Visit the website Dressage.com.
Also available from The Equine Collection.

Reviewed by Patricia Lasko

Here's your chance to decide for yourself if Debbie McDonald was "robbed" at last year's World Equestrian
Games (WEG). In this excellent videotape by Dressage un Ltd., you'll see all 15 WEG Freestyle rides. Dressageophiles will appreciate watching each freestyle from the vantage point next to the judge's box at C. You'll just hear music with no distracting voice-over commentary.

The videotape begins with a short overview of each rider's scores in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special and how they stand as they go into the Freestyle. As each freestyle progresses, the mark given by each judge for that movement unobtrusively appears along with the coefficient, if any, and a note if that score was the highest overall. At the end of each ride, you see the scores for rhythm, harmony, choreography, music and degree-of-difficulty. It's a great feature for educating yourself.

Anky van Grunsven on Gestion Krack C receives a 9 for her choice of tango music. Lars Petersen on Blue Hors Cavan does four impressive pirouettes on the centerline in alternating directions. The crowd goes wild for the hometown pair of Rafael Soto and the big gray Invasor who receive a 9 for passage to Spanish music. Then they prance out of the arena in Spanish walk. Ulla Salzgeber's Rusty scores many 9s for half pass, extended canter, one- and two-time changes and choreography. Lisa Wilcox also scores a 9 for her choice of hip-hop music. She makes transitions between movements look easy and scores 8s and 9s on her piaffe.

You be the judge and see if you agree as Brentina and Debbie McDonald score 8s on their double pirouettes to one-time changes to double pirouettes on the centerline to a Gershwin medley. The highest score for music, 9.2, goes to Beatriz Ferrer-Salat on Beauvalais, who also receives the highest score for extended trot.

Last to go are the eventual champions, Farbenfroh and Nadine Capellmann. They receive 8s and 9s for most of their movements and the highest score for choreography. It's a dazzling show that you'll learn from and enjoy watching over and over.

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