Bella Rose sets the standard high at the start of Day 2 Dressage…updated to the break for lunch
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August 26th, Caen, France. By Ilse Schwarz
The day started early for many as we all tried to manage the shuttle system to be at the main stadium in time for the first ride at 8am. Ordinarily, if one were a little late it would be no big deal, but when it is Isabell Werth on her rising star, Bella Rose 2, one makes the effort…spectators and media showing equal enthusiasm. We were not disappointed. This mare is as light footed an elegant as we have seen on video. Every Grand Prix she gets a little better and a little better, today she improved enough to garner 81.529% . Totally worth the early start!!! Piaffe passage is breathtaking.
Edward Gal and Glocks Voice entered the stadium to an almost standing ovation, so popular is this rider. He left to almost polite applause. Today wasn’t the day for this combination to shine 72.414
Morgan Barbancon and Painted Black of Spain seem to have regained their harmony and surprised many, perhaps even herself by riding to a 75.143 and, at the time of writing, 3rd place
The darling of the USA team, Laura Graves and Verdades did not disappoint and, despite an expensive spook in the walk, normally a high scoring movement for this pair, move into provisional 4th place with 74.871. The pirouette left was a highlight, scoring an average of 8.4. At the end of the ride, coach Debbie McDonald was jumping up and down in delight! A full story on Laura Graves will be published later today.
Kristy Oatley of Australia and Ronan had a ride that was dominated by Ronan’s reactions to the clearly “horse-devouring” cameras around the arena. This horse finds the collected work a challenge at the best of times and when he is also spooking during the passage it was pretty impossible for Kristy to recover.
A final score of 63.771 is the stuff nightmares are made of.
Half Moon Delphi and Michael Eilberg have quickly become a solid scorer for the British team, with a mid-70s score almost considered “a day at the office”. Not today. The mare (by Dimaggio) broke in the trot half pass left and although Michael managed to score many 8’s for the piaffe and high 7’s for the passage, there are mistakes in the one tempis and difficulties with the contact throughout. A score of 71.886 and Great Britain can see their vhances of a team medal slipping away. Greater minds than I will already be calculating the score required by Valegro to overtake Spain, who is currently in the bronze medal position.
Patrick Kittel and Watermill Scandic are right before the lunch break and have a clean, safe ride with trademark expressive passage and good tempi changes. The poll gets a little low here and there but they score 74.086 and provisional 7th place and Patrick is delighted.
Regular updates to continue
