Emma Booth and Furst Deluxe in the Grade III Freestyle.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

Roger Fitzhardinge reports on the Grade III Freestyle in Herning

By Roger FItzhardinge

Well talk about a dramatic start to Emma Booth’s Grade III Freestyle test at the FEI World Championships, and what a rider. Not just a rider who can ride a test, but one who truly can ride not only physically but also mentally.

The warm up was sharp, woith Maree Tomkinson and Emma worked on keeping Furst Deluxe quick to the forward aids, and he was looking the best ever and was giving Emma some amazing moments for sure. With only a few months as a partnership, it has been quietly coming along with confidence. Today there was a thought that perhaps a crack at a medal, and for sure that was in their sights. It was a big ask, but achievable. Do you have a crack or do you stay mediocre… that’s the question, and to have a crack at a medal, why not. Fursty was full of impulsion and looked truly wonderful. He is a very tall horse and powerful.

Ready set and go. As the gate was opened on the first day, the keeper stood at A instead of off to the side and Emma had to make a weird swerve to get on the centerline, and the gate keeper swung the gate and he was worried. Similar in the next test, and then in the Freestyle he was waiting, but there was no real reason but he was tweaked up and wasn’t having a bar of the guy at the gate…. he stopped and looked, then reared extremely high. It was quite daunting, but Emma was perfect in her balance and there was no question she was in control. Fursty quit and stood there and started to back up. Emma was amazing in that she simply waited a moment, despite her music well and truly rolling. Her composure amazing. Waited a moment, and perfectly timed she invited him forward and off they went.

Emma Booth and Furst Deluxe in the Grade III Freestyle.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

It was a very upsetting start, but Emma was simply amazing in her composure. She rode a great test under the circumstances and managed to cut corners and catch up to the music by the walk. Totally composed and experience took over. Fursty was very different this ride to any other, remembering it’s his seventh test with Emma and he was on fire for her. The medium trot was out of the corner and away. There were some of the best moments, and despite all the things Emma had to think of, the test still scored 72.033% and bronze was 76.6%, and 6s and 7s in the 72% mark.

It’s done and dusted and Emma was disappointed as you can imagine, but there were some very good work and that’s a plus and what an outstanding ride. Needless to say that gold went to Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Jolene Hill on 86.513%, nearly 10% in frot of the silver in Lotte Krijnsen of the Netherlands and Rosenstolz with 76.673%, and the bronze to Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus of Great Britain on 76.620%. What a class and what an amazing score from Tobias.

Full results for the Grade III Freestyle can be found here.

That’s a wrap for the FEI World Championships and goodbye to wonderful Herning!

What horses.
What riders.
What inspiration!
 

Read more about the Aussie para dressage team in the August issue of Equestrian Life here.

You can watch all the action from the FEI World Championships in Herning via Clip My Horse TV.

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