DRESSAGE – TEAM MEDALS
At the conclusion of the Team dressage, Germany had made it three out of three gold medals at ShaTin in Hong Kong … another gold on another evening.
Olympic Games often throw up curly performances, things going wrong with horses and judging disparities and these Olympic Games were no different.
At the end of the first day of dressage, where each team had at least one rider and some two riders, had ridden, the German team held the lead and looked set to claim another gold medal following on the victory from their team and individual eventing Gold medals. With three more gold medals in individual dressage as well as showjumping team and individual to come, the Germans were looking smug for the trifecta.
Germany’s greatest threat in the dressage came from the Netherlands where the friendly, yet fiercely fought rivalry, was as strong as ever. ‘It is really good to have the pressure of the rivalry as we all work harder to achieve better performances.’ German Heike Kemmer said. ‘However off the field we are all very happy to sit together and have a glass of champagne, it is the way of the competition.’
For those following dressage closely, the bigger nations other than Germany and The Netherlands, who would realistically vie for medals, were the USA, Denmark and Sweden. Australia as a nation was presenting a qualified team for the first time. Okay we had a team at Sydney Olympics, but this was because we were Olympic hosts and of course we have had individuals at past Olympics.
GRAND PRIX
The first riders from Germany and the Netherlands set the scene for the fight on day one of dressage. The starting field for the Grand Prix was split between two evenings with some countries having two competitors on day one whilst other countries had one competitor with their following two riders to showcase on the next evening.
The rule changes since Athens meant each team has only three members and every score counted. Belgian Mariette Withages-Dieltjens, acting in her capacity as FEI Delegate was asked at the press conference whether there was any consideration for this to change back. ‘No I don’t think that will happen, I think that it is very good in the Olympic level for it to be this way so that every qualified country is able to submit a team. We must stay global in our thinking for this, particularly for the spirit of the Olympic Games.’
Hans Peter Minderhoud forefronted the Dutch team and was first listed on the ‘Order To Go’. The half passes showed good crossover, the walk in both extended and collected was appealing whilst the second passage showed the best rhythm. One error in the zig-zag saw them execute seven strides instead of six with the final score 69.625%, yet could have probably scored better in extended trot if the mare had more swing through the back.
Their second combination, Inke Shellekens-Bartels also rode the first evening and she had to score well with the big mare Sunrise, as no discounted scores anymore. This mare would have to arguably have the best reach and scope in the half passes and the piaffe was really good. However, the tongue sticking out in parts of the zig zags and drops here as a form of resistance. The passage also is lacking as the hind legs are not good and are out the back. The extended trot doesn’t seem to track up either … was something amiss? They did score post as 70.875 and they did finish fifth overall but this combination had seen better performances. Sunrise was subsequently withdrawn from the Individual competition.
Anky Van Grunsven drew ninth to go on the second night. Everyone wondered if Anky could keep the Dutch in the running with one of her usual ‘big time’ rides of brilliance with Salinero. Both extensions didn’t track up well enough but the half passes were super as were the pirouettes. The piaffes and passages were excellent and she scored very well for the transitions between these.
It proved to be just a safe ride and lacked a little exuberance to finish with a 74.750. This was enough to see her the leading Dutch individual but with Isabell to come at the end of the draw, would it be enough for the team Gold? ‘I couldn’t take all the risks,’ she said. ‘I almost wanted to do too much but I had to be safe for the team – in the Grand Prix Special and the Kur I can take risks – this was not the time,’ she explained. ‘After yesterday we already forgot about the gold medal,’ she pointed out. ‘One judge gave 73, this is not enough. Two teammates on the first day’s test did not help. They should have had better performances, but the draw didn’t help, although on the other hand another country was better than we were,’ she added. ‘It’s not the end of my life,’ she continued, ‘although I am disappointed’. One journalist asked Anky if she liked the duel between her and Isabell? ‘Better than no duel at all, but I concentrate on my riding.’ Anky was not sure if she would ride in the London Olympics. ‘I am a mother with two children, Salinero will be too old for London but if someone will offer me a wonderful horse, then maybe yes.’
The British commenced their team with Jane Gregory and Lucky Star. However their 63.375% score held them down. ‘The test was disappointing, and it was definitely not my best. I could feel the sweat coming down my face and I had to try to remember to breathe, it was so hot. The horse didn’t make any glaring mistakes but he made some minor ones. The other riders would have to get the best score ever to pull me out of the mud.’
Emma Hindle, having her second Olympic appearance redeemed for the Brits with the Hanoverian stallion Lancet (by Wenzel). The dark bay stallion made his biggest fame four years ago at the Olympic Games in Athens under Imke Schellekens-Bartels. Emma produced a commanding test with Lancet scoring 71.125% to put them into team medal contention and slotted into second place individually. The test improved every step of the way. The tempi changes were the best all night, expressive and up. The collection leading into the pirouette was overdone as the horse lost impulsion, but the final piaffe-passage was clear rhythmical and very active.
The third of the British, Laura Bechtolsheimer, riding on the second night, was doing nicely with Mistral Hojris until the judge’s bell rang to tell her she had made a mistake in her test and she subsequently fell apart. The twenty-three year old was unable to pull it together again quite as well and they finished with 65.917.
Australia was down to business as Heath Ryan and Greenoaks Dundee were out seventh to ride on the first night. For all the riding over the years it is hard to believe that this is Heath’s first Olympic Games, but that is horses and having it all gel at the right time. The test started well with some good first scores for the trot work, however as Dundee progressed the horse just didn’t appear to be in the same league as the big European movers and lacked expression. No glaring mistakes and they finished on a 62.542 (thirty-fifth of forty-six starters).
Hayley Beresford was the last to ride on the first evening with light moving Lusitana gelding Relampago. The youngster of the Aussie team did a magnificent job and yes that is what you can call it, ‘the job’. Hayley meant business and executed the ride very well for a first up Olympic presentation, and only doing their eleventh start in Grand Prix level of competition, a 65.583%. The zig zags were accurate and light, the changes expressive and clear as was the second pirouette. Exciting things for the future of our sport.
Now the expectations lay with our most experienced Kristy Oatley-Nist and Quando Quando, who came out to ride on the second evening. The big moving chestnut stallion is such a quality horse with big reach and power. He looked unsettled right from the start as he spooked at things around the arena even before entering. The early part of the test, the trot work was scoring very well into the 70’s. However tonight’s performance unraveled and it clearly looked like they were lacking match practice. The scores lowered in the zig-zags as it all got too slow. He stiffened through the neck and back in the piaffe and passage and clearly Kristy was doing her best to maintain a status quo. Kristy did her utmost to gain back his attention and parts of the test, such as the extended trots, were excellent and rewarded accordingly – resting on a 65.750%. Overall this put Australia to eighth position in the Team standings from eleven competing nations.
Courtney King started the scoreboard for team USA on Mythilus and it looked good with a 70.458. The second evening saw their final combinations start. Debbie McDonald and Brentina started well however made too many mistakes, late with changes and missing her line for the canter pirouettes, just so unlike this combination. The horse did not look completely even, especially in the extended trot. A disappointing 63.000%. McDonald did not agree with the buzz that the horse was unfit and stated: ‘She’s fitter and sounder than ever. She’s been schooling so well but she was totally different in the ring than she was in the warm up. I was totally caught by surprise when she started spooking in the ring. She got tense and tight and became unrideable.’
Steffen Peters of the USA was last to ride on the second evening and the brilliant test resulted with a 70.000, just enough to pull them to fourth team position overall in the end.
Denmark skipped to the bronze position much to the delight of the riders and support crews. They understood well in advance that it was simply unrealistic to think that they could surpass Holland or Germany yet they worked hard to get bronze. ‘I’m super happy,’ Helgstrand said ‘It was our goal to come to Hong Kong and win a team medal. It’s a first in the history of Denmark.’
Ann Van Olst rode a good test on Clearwater as the first rider for Denmark finishing with a 67.292%, seventeenth overall. Team member Princess Nathalie Zu Sayne-Wittenstein, lives and trains in Germany with Kyra Kurkland, but proudly rides for her motherland, was pleased with Digby’s test. ‘I am riding for Denmark: I have a Danish heart. I think I did well. It was like a big stone has fallen off my heart. When you come up with a score like this in the GP (70.417, the best performed Dane in eighth place) it is a great relief. The heat was getting to him a bit, but he kept fighting until the very end. He was with me right from the start. I am very proud of him.’ They showed fabulous piaffe and passage along with correct canter-work and were the first within the test to hit the 70% mark.
Andreas was also happy with the final outcome, as they had been running very close with USA (67.819) and Sweden (67.347) for the Bronze medal. Andreas, who rode last for Denmark pulled out a 68.833 with Don Schufro and although not the top Danish mark (that was afforded to Digby) it was enough to pull them to the bronze ahead of the USA.
‘We were trying to qualify for a team medal.’ Andreas commented. ‘We knew we had three riders and three horses that could do about a 70. I had hoped to get a bit more. It was an important test for the team, and for me. I have never ridden under such pressure and I was very focused.’ They had been terribly disappointed with their final result at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, in Aachen where they felt cheated out of their team bronze medal as Debbie McDonald’s Brentina scored over 70% while being lame in the test.
Two Swedes rode on the first night. Patrik Kittle led the Swedish charge with a handy 67.083 test aboard the handsome Westfalian stallion Floresco. Tinne Silfven on the Danish Warmblood Solex Carex didn’t have a great start as he broke into canter after the halt. However, soon back into the swing of things … the horse showed lovely piaffe as it really lowered its hindquarters. The weakness was the extension from piaffe to passage. This is a big stepping horse and often finds it difficult to shorten and collect, 66.042.
Heavyweight combination of Jan Brink and the stallion Briar fronted on the following evening to produce the best result for the team with a 68.875 which slotted them into fifth overall in the teams.
The level for gold was established early for the Germans with German Heike Kemmer posting a 72.250 with Bonaparte. The horse was so well prepared and deserved the result. He was solid in the trot, super half passes and showed outstanding piaffe and passage as well as the transitions to and from, with the exception of the second transition from piaffe to passage where Bonaparte lost the collection.
Key team members, Isabell Werth, riding the 2007 European Champion Satchmo and Nadine Capellman on Elvis VA, ranked number six in the world, were still yet to compete the following evening where Nadine scored 70.083. ‘I was happy with the canter but had small hiccups in trot and both piaffes were not quite right. Three mistakes make 70 percent. Normally Elvis (the horse) is good for 73 percent or even 74 percent. They were only small mistakes, but at the Olympics this is not good enough.’
Her horse was distracted during the test. ‘I don’t know why my horse looked to the side twice. I think something happened on the left side, and that distracted him.’
Isabell was pleased with her first step into the arena with Satchmo, ever so light over the ground to top the leaderboard at 76.417. The only blip of the test occurred when he kicked out after stepping on his coronet band. She must have gone into the arena with great confidence as team mates had scored impressive solid percentages and with Anky and Salinero having been a little off the pace, she was ready to show what the younger Satchmo could do.
‘It may have looked like that but I was under a lot of pressure because last year we lost gold to The Netherlands at the Europeans and we knew it was time to wake up – we didn’t like it!’ she said.
The reach in the half pass was really exceptional and the pirouettes foot perfect. The horse’s transitions were effortless and the walk covered a huge overstep. Clearly this horse was the winner of this test, resulting in the team Gold. It was the German’s tenth Olympic Team Gold performance.
GRAND PRIX SPECIAL
The top twenty-five went through to the GP Special to begin the individual ride-offs, of which Australia had two in Hayley and Kristy. Hayley was first to ride on the draw putting in a more relaxed, more accurate test than in the GP, finishing with a score of 66.320 placing nineteenth. Kristy’s score was about the same 66.080 and whilst Quando Qando is a much scopier mover, errors throughout kept their marks low. Quando appeared unsettled right from the beginning, manureing on the first turn before the extended trot and he really didn’t get going. It wasn’t until after the first half pass that he settled to the task and became more relaxed into the bridle and started to swing through the back. The second extended trot was powerful and then the passage was light showing good collection. A couple of moments in the passage piaffe had him lift above the bit. The horse appeared to settle better to the canter movements picking up good marks.
There were a few shock factors for the spectators throughout the ‘Special’. Anky had problems as Salinero showed two mistakes with a canter step twice in the trot half pass. Isabell and Satchmo began their test with sensational marks in the mid 80’s, clearly many points ahead of Anky. Satchmo spooked in the middle of the first piaffe and ran backwards across the arena, however got back on track very quickly.
Final resting places had Isabell and Satchmo (75.200) just ahead of Anky (74.960) so the Freestyle showdown was going to be a thriller.
Heike Kemmer of Germany put in another strong faultless performance with Bonaparte finishing in third position on 72.250. She has never won an individual Olympic medal and she wanted it. Steffen Peters and Ravel USA went into fourth spot on 71.800 and we know that this combination can deliver a fascinating Freestyle.
GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE
The individual medals hung in the balance and everything depended on the results of the Freestyle. Fifteen competitors from ten NOCc let their horses dance to music and showed a prescribed set of movements in the order of their choice.
Isabell was only 0.24 percentage points ahead, could Anky catch her?
As judges mark both technical ability and overall artistry, riders must put careful thought to their music selections. Some used a medley of Broadway musicals or Hollywood soundtracks, whilst others combined a selection of classical music and many had their pieces composed for their tests. Isabell rode Satchmo to Hymn of Emotion by Markus Lehmann-Horn and Michael Erdmann. The same music, Werth won an important pre-Olympic competition with.
Anky had Dutch pianist Wibi Soerjadi compose her Dance of Devotion. Kemmer used a selection of pop, and American Courtney King-Dye rode to a piece based on a Cat Stevens song. Andreas Helgstrands’ music included Guns N’ Roses, ‘My freestyle has good rock music which suits the horse. He’s a big stallion and he’s so powerful so I use rock such as Pink Floyd and others.’
Most riders film their horse’s movements and then adapt music that best suits a particular technical element. Some beats are better suited to certain elements than others and judges are sure to notice if timing is off. Half of the Freestyle marks are based on artistic presentation. This includes rhythm, harmony between horse and rider, choreography and use of the arena, degree of difficulty and interpretation of the music. The pressure was on as the Freestyle counts for half of the medal score.
Most spectators were eager to see the ride-off between the top two, Anky Van Grunsven and Isabell Werth. There was also a fierce competition being fought for bronze with favourites, USA rider Steffen Peters (Ravel) and Heike Kemmer (Bonaparte) tipped, along with crowd favourite and newcomer sensation Alexandra Korelova (Balagur) after they finished fifth in the GP Special.
Kemmer’s freestyle score of 75.95% gave her a combined score of 74.45% going into the Freestyle from third position. Heike was one of the few riders to use a combination of vocals and orchestration with a medley of 1960s’ pop hits which pleased the crowd and I suspect the judges as they eventually took the Bronze medal just ahead of Steffan Peters who finished with a combined score of 74.150%.
Isabell’s test was electrifying and all looked on track until the Piaffe pirouette when her horse, in a similar fashion to her error in the GP Special, became spooked and ran backwards. It was an expensive error and one Werth said she has not made in three years.
‘It’s a bit of a shame that it happened here at the Olympics, but I think some of you can remember that I said it was too good the last three years, it was always easy and straight. I think that the rest of my freestyle was super. Sometimes the Olympics has a little drama and its not a big drama for me because we won the gold medal for the German Team.’
Anky was due to go after Isabell in the draw, the last of the fifteen to ride. The pressure was on her to win a medal with Salinero, but once learning of Werth’s score she knew that she did not have to take all the risks. The test was smooth, light and joyous taking them to the win with a 78.680 and the orange clad Dutch spectators went wild with applause.
Anky and Salinero entered the ring in walk and halted. A beautiful piaffe followed which went over into a passage half pass with lots of suspension. From there the test showed large extended trots and good piaffes, double pirouettes and tempi changes … technical difficulty was high. You could tell by her face that she was totally relaxed and committed to enjoy the ride.
‘At this competition I had been the most nervous than any in my life and I really had to work on staying calm.’ Anky confessed. ‘When I heard that Isabell had made an error I was able to relax and knew that I could take the risks to produce the best.’
Anky had won her third consecutive Olympic title and made her one of the most successful Dutch athletes of all time. This gold medal joins her collection that she has won in the individual at Sydney and Athens.
So will she be back for London? ‘It is unbelievable to win three golds in a row and with two different horses. I am the most spoilt person in the world.’ Van Grunsven, 40, said ‘No’. She said she had no intention to keep riding into her 80’s. ‘I don’t think I’m ever going to come back.’
Steffen Peters (USA) and Ravel Victoria Max Theurer and Falcoa Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Sunrise
Steffen Peters (USA) on Ravel fourth in the KUR with exceptional choreography and music choice. They just missed out on a Bronze medal finishing .305 behind Heike Kemmer (GER).
Austria’s sole representative, Victoria Max Theurer with the sixteen year-old Oldenberg gelding ‘Falcoa’ preparing to enter the Grand Prix.
Dutch expectations for the Individual Dressage medals received a blow when Imke Schellekens-Bartels had to withdraw her mare Sunrise from the Grand Prix Special. They had been part of the Silver medal winning team. ‘I can’t believe it. The injury must have been developed during the competition on Thursday. Before she was 100% in order. But afterwards we noticed a small problem that could well develop into something bigger and could harm the horse. This is the last thing I want,’ said an emotional Imke. Many who knew this combination so well determined that something was amiss even during this test. At her second Olympic Games, Imke was considered a medal contender being ranked fifth after the GP. She and Sunrise finished in fourth place in the 2008 WC final. The pair were in the European champion team and came third individually, both in GP Special and in Freestyle.
Hayley Beresford and Relampago – Our last combination to be given a team guernsey, yet was our best performer, placing nineteenth overall in the individuals. Last to draw on the first evening in the GP they scored a 65.813, not bad considering it was only their eleventh start in this test. First in the draw in the GP Special they improved as the ride went on. The flying changes were expressive and light and the piaffe and passage had more rhythm and lift. Come on WEG and London Olympics! Hayley also has a super small tour youngster in Queenie and Australia should be embracing the talent that is being carefully nurtured by her employer Isabell Werth.
Heath Ryan and Greenoaks Dundee
Something appeared to be amiss with Dundee. A lacklustre performance begs the question ‘What was wrong?’ Leading up to the competition the horse was seen to be worked at the walk most of the time. Up to one hour before a ride, a team is able to replace a rider with the reserve combination. Hindsight is a wonderful thing …
Kristy Oatley-Nist and Quando Quando Alexandra Korelova and Balagur Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein and Digby
Dressage Chef d’Equipe Deb MacNicol commented, ‘Quando performed below his best. It was quite clear on the day that the heat had its toll on him. He was certainly more affected than the other Australian team dressage horses. He got hot (temperature) very quickly in training sessions and Kristy and the support team did their best to diligently maintain his fitness. Sometimes the make-up of a horse does not respond to heat and that is something we could not predict coming to the games. They have scored much better in European competitions so Kristy was disappointed not only for herself but also for the team.’
Russian combination Alexandra Korelova and her super little grey Balagur were crowd favourites from the outset scoring a 68.50% in the GP (fifteenth just behind Andreas Helgstrand), a 71.40 (fifth place) in the GP Special and sixth in the KUR 72.625 to finish sixth overall. ‘I have had so much luck to get this horse. His breeding is Orlov trotter. I bought him from the local police force where he was used for crowd control and street policing. He understands everything and he loves the dressage. I’ve known him since he was three years old but I only started to ride him in dressage when he was eleven. He learnt the dressage in five months.’ Alexandra said. ‘The horse has a great personality. He loves the public, loves the applause. These are the best scores I have ever had.’
Emma Hindle and Lancet
British dressage rider Emma Hindle was counting her lucky stars that she had made it to the Olympics. During British Olympic selection trials Hindle discovered that she had a tumor and phoned the selectors to ask if they wanted her to still compete for a place or leave it to others. They affirmed that they wanted her to continue. After the selection trials she headed to hospital to have the tumour removed and ten days later could not walk, yet found out she had been selected. Three weeks later she was back on the horse. Hours of physio and time at the gym helped her to get to the games. ‘It’s not a very easy way to prepare’, Emma admitted. ‘My family, friends and teammates spurred me on. My friends always told me ‘we believe in you’. Without them I wouldn’t be here.’ Her groom stayed with her in the hospital, the team vet visited, the trainer committed to getting her fit to compete. ‘It all paid off.’
Isabell Werth and Satchmo
Satchmo took fright and ran backwards in the GP Special. You could hear a pin drop. We all held our breath and hoped they wouldn’t leave the arena. Many people were asking how they won the GP Special when the horse ran backwards in the Piaffe. The answer is that the marks scored up to that moment were at least 10% more than Anky and Salinero were scoring. It was just one part of one movement and one mark, which was scored variably by the judges from a 0 to a 6 from another judge. They progressed on in the test as if nothing had happened and continued to score very well. That’s mental toughness in full flight, and what makes Isabell such a champion!
  
Anky Van Grunsven and Salinero Kyra Kyrkland and Max Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte
Anky said that this will probably be her last Olympic appearance as she wants to spend more time with her children and retirement may be on the cards. ‘I am getting older and I have already been spoiled with two unbelievable horses. Unless somebody offers me another wonderful horse I cannot see myself going to London,’ she explained at the post team medal press conference. ‘I still have a very fresh and strong horse,’ she said, ‘I am looking forward to the individual medal challenge ahead.’ No truer words, as she came out and rode with so much passion to claim Individual Gold.
Findland’s Kyra Kyrkland also rode to a musical, having decided on a mix from Cabaret. Kyra had always wanted to create a freestyle to the Liza Minelli soundtrack and decided to record the selection in London using a seventeen piece orchestra. I love the music, it’s quite fun,’ Kyra said.
Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte. Heike was one of the few riders to use a combination of vocals and orchestration with a medley of 1960s’ pop hits for her freestyle. Shy and Bonaparte took the Bronze medal just ahead of Steffen Peters and Ravel.
Team Results
1. Germany 72.917
2. Netherlands 71.750
3. Denmark 68.875
4. USA 67.819
5. Sweden 67.347
6. Great Britain 66.806
7. France 65.403
8. Australia 64.625
9. Canada 63.514
10. Japan 60.653
Individual Results
1. Anky Van Grunsven (Salinero) NED 78.680
2. Isabell Werth (Satchmo) GER 76.650
3. Heike Kemmer (Bonaparte) GER 74.455
4. Steffen Peters (Ravel) USA 74.150
5. Hans Peter Minderhoud (Nadine) NED 73.035
6. Alexandra Korelova (Balagur) RUS 72.625
7. Emma Hindle (Lancet) GBR 72.345
8. Kyra Kyrkland (Max) FIN 71.985
9. Bernadette Pujals (Vincent) MEX 71.675
10. Jan Brink (Briar) SWE 71.205
11. Andreas Helgstrand (Don Schufro) DEN 70.675
12. Tinne Silfven (Solos Carex) SWE 70.345
13. Courtney King (Mythilus) USA 70.175
14. Ashley Holzer (Pop Art) CAN 70.105
15. N. Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (Digby) DEN 69.110
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