The Freestyle tonight is going to be the very best ever and there is no foregone conclusion as to who will win. There are some pretty strong favorites but it will be a night where I believe all the athletes will get out there and have a go.  There will be no modesty. They will be strutting their stuff and what will be will be. There is no pressure now in being cautious as the teams medals are decided and that was such a strong and close contest. Now with all that done, the riders can ride for themselves with no burden of letting a team down if a mistake is made. They will be out there all guns blazing.

There has never been such depth in the dressage ranks at any Olympics and there are so many good horse and rider combinations. They all love the freestyle and to have made it through the Grand Prix and the Special is an achievement in itself and tonight is going to be their chance to let their hair down and enjoy their horses and their own test and music. It is just the right attitude to see some amazing riding. I reckon the marks are going to be so high as I believe that the judges will be realizing that the standard is high and here with an artistic flair and music to enhance the paces and show movements to the best advantage for each horse,  the technical marks will sky rocket. The judges too I believe will be feeling so positive and confident after judging so much over the last few days and will also let their hair down, so get ready here we go.

The draw is done in a reverse order, in groups so the best horses end up in the final group and the lesser ones on first.

Saying that, the first group out is a potential medal ride!

Eremo Del Castegno (ITA)

Valentina Truppa has the best freestyle and it is full of bounce and flair and vigour. I have no idea what music or choreography as they can do whatever they want and it may not be the same as it was at the World Cup Final a few months ago where she placed. This horse really lends himself to the freestyle as he really dances to the beat of the music he is smart and sharp and vibrant and what a way to start. I am sure you will see wonderful piaffe and passage as a highlight and to great tempoed music. The horse can get a little hot with the noise of the music and the atmosphere but it will be a WOW freestyle and the crowd will go crazy I reckon ,and this is only the first one.

*So go get a glass of Champagne or maybe it should be an Italian Chianti and a slice of Pizza.

Scandic (SWE)

Patrik Kittell, our part Aussie, is an expert at the freestyle and has won with this stallion at many huge competitions. It will be truly wonderful and perhaps a little more serious and dramatic than the first and again a highlight in the trot and piaffe and passage and look for some pirouettes in the piaffe. I think Patrik will play safe with the choreography and it will be fluent and flowing and gaining marks for purity, not flashy stuff. I think the changes will not be on curved lines. I think that this horse over the Olympics has been battling to get in favor and the marks have been a little less than what may have been anticipated. Do not be surprised to see him in the top few if all goes well and see if you think the canter work is more uphill tonight and the piaffe more sitting?

*Now it’s time for some smoked salmon!

Donnperignon (DEN)

Talking about Champagne well here is a nearly champagne name of her horses and Anna Kasprzak  has become a real favorite. Her horse did the most fantastic Grand Prix in the pouring rain and it was a test that I felt did not get enough marks. I hope we see a great performance and I have no idea of the music but I am sure it will be bold. Anna has a real partnership here and it will be easy to see this and she has nothing to loose so she will be out there for sure. I think that the judges may have pinged him a little for being a little short in the neck so we can look at that tonight and for sure the piaffe in the special was not strong so it will be interesting to see where she makes this exercise to get the best energy and so:-

Perhaps its time for a Carlsberg or a Tuborg  traditional beer!

Rubi (POR)

Goncalo Carvalho is a beautiful young rider and has a wonderful feel and position. I was surprised, in a good way, at the quality he showed in the special. The piaffe for me could have been the best piaffe of any horse in the competition. It sits, it has balance and it absolutely has a great temp and two beat rhythm. I would give it a ten! The canter work is not so ground covering and I was critical in the extended canter as being extremely modest. We will see tonight what will happen and I hope that the music will be fabulous as I would expect coming from a country where horses and festivals and music are intertwined.

*Time for a green wine take your pick  green white, green red, or green rose!!!(Portugal is famous for their green wine –Vinho Verde red, white and rose   Confused –never-!! it’s a young wine and needs to be drunk early.)

Augustin (AUT)

Victoria Max-Theurer has had a great showing here and this big impressive bay has had some great marks. For me it will be interesting to see the music and choreography here as he is such a solid athletic horse. Will it be dramatic music that I think will go for him or will Victoria go for music to draw towards a lighter feeling. He has no real weak areas nor great highlights. He is a good horse in all movements and so it will be up to great music and choreography to get him above the others and it will be a good all round performance. I think that in the other tests he has made a few rhythm mistakes that spoilt some marks and I will be interested if the beat of the music will help her  here.

*Its time I reckon for a slice of apple strudel and a Red Bull as it started in Austria and the Red Bull headquarters are just near Salzberg. 

Don Auriello (FIN)

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven is riding the one I want to take home if only we could find a way to put more activity in to his hindlegs. Maybe it will be the music! This is such an elegant horse and with those expressive front legs I cant wait. I loved Favorit ( her other Horse ) in the freestyle and I know she will be great. The horse will not make hugely difficulty movements and I think you will see Tinne ride a forward and flowing test with highlights in the Extended trot and passage. It will look easy and will be a delight to watch I am sure. This horse has been so consistant but the special was a little lazy so the music and atmosphere may just be what they need.

*Lets not judge the Danes by what they drink but the most popular drink for them is Water so why not !! it may also help the hangover tomorrow!

Ravel (USA)

Stephan Peters has been right amongst the mix, and tonight again he will be . My criticism has perhaps been that there is a lack of real energy and that pizaza that is needed to get the 9s and 10s. Ravel is very neat and correct and in a good balance but sometimes he perhaps lacks a little expression. It all looks a little conservative and in a truly obedient and well trained way. He too Like Aguustin has no huge highlights, but for me I have see fantastic canter pirouettes and to see double ones here for sure and I think in the judges laps. Perhaps he will be a little modest in the extended trot work as I saw a few minor moments where the pushing was not equal. Being an Olympics I am hoping that there will be an American theme or will it also have a bit of London in there?

*think its time for the dreaded greasy KFC to go and a diet pepsi! ( maybe a Budweiser or two)

Undercover(NED)

Edward Gal is having a great run here with this realatively new horse for him. The freeestyle will be interesting as Edward always uses serious music and it will be fun to see what he uses for Undercover. James Bond maybe? This horse was a little tense in his work and I think this was what was holding back the marks. What will he be like with so much atmosphere and music we will see. I am sure that there will be plenty of piaffe and passage and I guess in half pass as well. The pirouettes will be impressive but I think the trot tour will be short and failry bland as its not this horses forte. The changes too will be well positioned in an easy way. It will be inspiring I am sure, and watch for the abilty in riding calmness and confidence in to this horse. Watch the releases in the contact at times when you think it impossible, to let Undercover take a breath if he is tense.

*I reckon just go wear something wildy orange and grab some French fries and thats compulsory with Mayo.

Digby(DEN)

Princess Nathalie is an absolute passionate dressage enthusiaist and as for Digby there is only one of him. I would like to say that this horse is beautifully trained and ridden. Princess Nathalie rode the Grand Prix and the Special like textbook and Digby showed all the text book tell tale signs of the training scale to perfection. No other has as much education and willingness to perform as Digby. His rider has exceptional feel and empathy yet disciplined and determined. Her focus on her horses and the preparation the movement and the way she finishes everyone is amazing.

This freestyle will be wonderful and if it is the one I have seen the music is toatally in keeping with this pair and the phrases and beginning and endings to each piece and phase are fluent and interesting. Inspiring and if Digby was born with more expansive paces he would be a gold medalist…..no question.  He is in my eyes!

*I reckon I need a champagne to celebrate this moment!

Salinero(NED)

Anky needs no introduction and if ever freestyles are synonymous with a rider try this one. Who knows what music Anky will use but whatever it will be enthralling. Anky is a genius at riding to music and she always has wonderful choreography but simplistic especially the changes will be on straight lines I bet. Salinero knows all about Gold Medals but not sure if he will get there tonight.

Piaffe and passage a highlight and I better perfect moments in the music for double pirouettes. This one will tell a story. Salinero never used to halt and because of this to try and beat her in the freestyles a new mark was put in for the halt at the beginning and the end of the test. They still couldn’t beat her. See if he halts tonight at the end. I am suer he will walk in and halt at the beginning

*Just get more orange clothing some clogs and another beer!

Fuego(ESP)

Jaun Manuel is an all time favorite in this section and of course the grey stallion is a specialist here. Give a Spaniard music, a crowd and a horse and get ready! Of course its going to be Spanish music why not but there is always the technical and  I think tonight with a bit more atmosphere you will see better hind legs in all movements but still I think that there are a few minor technical things that I see and get over focused on as you will probably already have read. Its just the lazy hind leg that hits the ground before the front one in the passage and sometimes the canter rhythm lacks the purity for big marks. Look forward to flair here and great music.

*could we go some tapas and a glass of sangria?

Desperados (GER)

Kristina Sprehe has a super horse with masses of expression and freedom and I expect a really flamboyant show. The highlights will be the extended paces and such a wonderful frame and look. The tail still irritates me!! Have a look and see if the passage is more regular tonight as I believe it would be an area that has let the marks a little down. I am sure the routine will be tricky enough but not over the top. What a great combination and they will be out there doing it believe me.

*Think it has to be Bratwurst but with the Sprehe family is there a chicken bratwurst!??? In keeping with the Sprehe tradition.

Damon Hill (GER)

OH OH  well I won’t say too much here than this is a favorite! Such expression and I am sure you will be enchanted with this performance. Helen is so focused and the stallion tries so hard now in all the movements. Of course the walk is the best there is and the trot fantastic, the canter pirouettes small and balanced the frame super and the overall impression of harmony exemplary. I don’t think I need to say anything and come to think of it I have never noticed his tail I will have to look to see if it ever swishes. I think not but will look. I hope the piaffe doesn’t get too slow and over engaged as that is where a few marks were missed and the changes sometimes if get behind the leg can be short behind. Go Helen and Damon Hill and she will be the smiliest of all at the final halt!

*I reckon a congratulatory Schnapps is required here!

Diva Royal

Dorothee Schneider has had a sudden rise to the front of the pack and I have never seen her nor Diva Royal in a freestyle so I will be interested to see. The piaffe will be a highlight for sure and I think the choreography not too difficult but then again this mare could surprise us all and do some really interesting movements. Black and impressive and it will be one to watch. For me I am not sure if it will get up there as it’s not so much the modern type to dance her way round the arena but correct and technical but will the artistic be good enough.

*Bratkartoffeln for sure and another Brattwurst and a beer.

Mistral Hojris (GBR)

Laura will be able to go for gold now and not hold back and the tens will roll for the piaffe and the passage. The huge half passes and the power and engagement will shine but we hope that it is not to the detriment of the self carriage and lightness for such a big horse. As always her music will be well put to every movement and look out as I think Laura will be out to make a statement here. Horjis can always get a little hot in this environment and especially with the British Home crowd they will hopefully not wind them up in the entrance to the arena, as Alf gets anxious.

*I am heading off for a pint of Guiness and not a warm beer!

Utophia (GBR)

Carl is the hero. He is such a lovely guy and his horse loved by all. This horse really lends himself to this Kur and he is so elegant and light with such definite tempos it will be so good to see their Olympic Freestyle. What can I say there are so many highlights and for me its the extended trot!!! This will be beautiful and if this doesn’t set the hair on the back of your neck on end I will be surprised. This combinatioin have it all and the only thing I saw that was a worry was that in the Grand Prix for me the contact was so tense, that there was really not enough connection and thoroughness to show the degree of collection required for an Olympic win. It was so much better in the Special and the marks so. If its better again tonight who knows, and the crowd I know will go wild at the completion of this Brit!

*a pork pie and a pimms!

Parzival

Adelinde will be out for gold here don’t you wory and gold she could win. I think the horse is in such a great way and with such highlights in the artistic phase.  I believe it’s the same as the one from the World Cup where she won. This could be a gold performance and the piaffe and passage again a highlight as is the extended paces and the ground covering changes and the sitting pirouettes.

I am excited here thinking about this and I so want to see this combination do a cracking test as I am sure they will as Parziival gets better and better the more times he sees the arena and so he will be super rideable and Adelinde will go for the big marks you wait and see.

*put on even more orange clothing you wont look out of place. No time for a drink.

Valegro (GBR)

Charlotte the coolest customer. I say move over Bjorn Borg the ice man as here is the ice woman!  Charlotte never ever ever seems to get phased. Its as if she is on her own arena at home with Valegro who knows he is at the Olympics and on show. He just does it all and looks great and makes it look as if he is only on cruise control. The highlights in this test will be everthing except the walk! The walk lacks ground cover and purpose. I have to be honest and say that in the special I felt the passage was a little modest for bigger marks but I think tonight it will not be that way. I think we may be in for a record breaking score here if all goes well but it will be the all important degree of difficulty mark? The mark for harmony will be high. This will be a test to be seen to be believed and I can’t wait for this one. I am excited to see all the horses and I think that any one of several could win.

I have had plenty to drink by now but I think charge your glass and can only say that I would like to propose a toast to every horse and rider who made it to the Olympics. They are all fantastic but also to the exceptional ones who have and will win medals and that have taken the sport to another level.

Enjoy every moment of anytime you spend with a horse. They are special animals and bring joy and pleasure to so many.

Cheers

“To The Horse”

Roger Fitzhardinge reporting for Equestrian Life