Well no one can say this Europeans has been boring!

 

In the most bizarre twist to the Special, all three medalist went the wrong way!!!!! This made for a nail biting final with the crowd on the edge of their seats and very vocal as the worlds best riders navi´s went haywire and saw many errors of course!

 

The top three medalists, aka Charlotte, Helen and Adelinde, were not alone in their direction issues, with my hubby having a blonde moment that cost him and Toy a place in the Final!!!!!!!  Whilst the test was not as polished as it was in the Grand Prix, Toy stayed focused and tried very hard again and was on target to make the final. Then Patrik went the wrong way!!!!!!. All I can say is that he is in good company today !!!!

 

Several riders will be licking their wounds today after their rides did not go to plan!

 

As Isabel Werth said with a shrug and a smirk "There is no fun without risk" and this is very true. As I am now also discovering with Sandro Boy, as I take more risks in the arena to attempt to increase my scores, sometimes the risk pay off and some times not. This was the case with Isabel today, with several costly mistakes pulling her score down. Always the professional, Isabel turned her focus to support her team and keeps a realistic check on herself and the situation at hand. 

 

Poor Happy aka Hans Peter had thought he had beaten his fellow team mate Danielle into the Final only for the score to be corrected and their positions switched and instantly Happy was out and Danielle in. Both are great riders, and people for that matter, however we shared breakfast and a shuttle with Happy and he was anxious for his place in the final. Not an easy way to go out if you ask me!. Sure he will be eating some sushi and having a glass of white to commiserate.

 

Today the brilliance was missing in the arena in general, with some performances shining whist others leaving you a tad puzzled!.  One of the performances that really stood out was that of Sprehe and Desperado who produced such a lovely test. Some performances were totally over marked !!!. One in particular missed several movements, and looked like a stiff legged pony after the performances of other combinations, and if had started earlier or ridden by you or me would have been lucky to scrape 68%.. this combination is in the Final based on this performance which was by no means a Final worthy test. In saying this, however, I am sure the rider would agree with me as they are capable, and have achieved, so much more!.

 

There is an arena in between the stables, which is out of the lens of the peeping cameras wanting that too short in the neck frame photo! The warm up arenas are open to press and public, which in the current atmosphere is a daunting experience as some in particular are out to cause drama and sit and wait for it. Sadly I think these people will want their point heard by the end of the competition and create whatever necessary to support their cause.

 

 So, imagine their displeasure when they find out one arena is not able to be accessed .This has not stopped them hiding in the bushes waiting, but from what I have seen 99.9% of riders have adopted the attitude "here I am -watch if you like" and can not be faulted on their warm ups at all!. One rider did use this stable warm up arena to prepare for the Special today, and I will not be surprised if the no show of this rider from the open warm ups will cause some to venture down to try for their money shot!

 

So now Patrik is out of the Final , my fan cheers are going to Damon Hill and Helen. Helen is the most sweet hearted, talented, humble and thoughtful person and rider, and what she has developed with Dami is inspiring.  Don´t get me wrong, I would steal Valegro in a heart beat and will be the favourite Sunday for sure- and rightly so  as Charlotte is a freak of nature!. But glimpses in between of Dami suggests to me he is ready to give his performance of a life time, and I would be thrilled to see Helen take the Gold if this ride comes on Sunday!!

 

After today, it is clear always expect the unexpected!. Either way, we are in for a great Final where it will be Blueberry (Valegro), Dami, Parzival and if Eddie can keep the top on the cooker on Undercover all in their own separate league to fight it out for the Medals in the Freestyle!

 

Watch this space!

 

Lyndal Oatley.