FEI World Cup™ Finals 2023 Omaha NE (USA). FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final - Grand Prix. Dressage Riders posing for a group picture prior to competition. Photo credit: FEI
1st half of Grand Prix
After the first half of the World Cup Grand Prix Thamar Zweistra with Hexagon´s Ich Weiss were taking the lead with 73,261% with solid performance without any technical issues.
Marieke van der Putten with Danish Warmblood gelding Tørveslettens Titanium did unfortunately not bring in their last constantly improved tests as Titanium was showing some clear tensions during their test today with unbalanced extensions, still with their passage & piaffe highlights though.
Anna Buffini with Davinia was showing a solid test without big issues, overall you could wish for a bit more uphill and open frame, with more push from the hind legs.
Swedish World Cup debut pair Mazy Klovenhoj and Johanna Due Boje were showing a good test. Lots of power with some moments of tensions, but well managed from Johanna. They finish as no 10, 1st unplaced.
Jorinde Verwimp and Charmer has been very active for the last year and gaining more and more experience. Very motivated and forward going, but for some moments he looks a bit strong in the contact.
Caroline Crew and her 19 year old Tribiani showed a solid performance, and Tribiani is doing his best in the arena. Even though you now get the feeling that he is missing a bit more overall suppleness in his body. Highlights were definitely the two´s and one´s, super straight and clear.
Morgan Barbancon and her long time partner Sir Donnerhall II has not been showing since Doha and they looed a bit rusty together as Sir Donnerhall was not in the mood the piaffe tours, showing some resistance before Morgan managed to bring him in front of her aides.
American Alice Tarjan was showing her 10 year old mare Seranade MF. Lots of power for all the forward going exercises, but still missing more strength and timing for the collected work, and for most part of the test the mare did not look clearly straight in the contact.
2nd half of Grand Prix
Dalera and Jessica was not at the usual spot for the Grand Prix. Starting with an unbalanced and unsteady entering halt, the first half pass to the right where a bit of tension creeping in at the short side a few meters before going into the half pass. Lovely flow in and out of the piaffe tours. For the collected walk tour the balance is clearly missing and a half halt becomes nearly a halt by C but still rewarded with 5.5 - 4 - 5 - 4 - 6 - 5.5 - 6! First change for one times becomes with parallel hindlegs. 2nd pirouette with some sideways tendency at the end.
Franziskus and Ingrid Klimke did not show their usual highlights for the extensions, unfortunately Franziskus was clearly uneven for all trot extensions, but obviously not enough for president of the ground jury at C, German judge Katrina Wüst to ring the bell.
Blue Hors Zepter and Nanna Merrald were shining together again for the ever 3rd Grand Prix together, unfortunately two big mistakes kept them on a 3rd place (still an outstanding achivement) but for sure without the error for the two times and lost of balance into 1st pirouette they would have been much closer to the absolute top of the podium in the Grand Prix.
Suppenkasper and Peters comes with three strong USA World Cup qualifier victories, but from the “sideline” it did not look that light and easy for the Grand Prix. Overall impression missing more suppleness and lightness in the contact.
Nabab and Justina just loves the atmosphere, and Nabab is still only 10 year old and has been travelling pretty much around the world for the last year and still looks motivated and happy. Still missing the final timing but a lot to like when your watching this combination.
Quantaz and Werth were doing their stuff together and a typical Werth Grand Prix, solid without technical issues but still things to improve. And when knowing the abilities from Werth this was her “warm-up” for Friday´s final. The collected walk tour was horrible but still scoring: 5 - 4 - 6 - 5.5 - 6 - 5 - 6 .
Unfortunately no Hermes and Dinja van Liere at start, as Hermes was not fit to compete.
Last to go was Simone Pearce and Fiderdance showing a strong trot tour in good balance, the weak part is the flying changes and for the two times an error was creeping in, but Simone manage to make a clear line of one times. They finished nicely as no 7.
