First Qualification for Seven-Year-Old Horses
The First Qualification for Seven-Year-Old Horses saw a win for the British, with Secret Agent (Secret x De Niro) scoring 80.645% with Charlotte Dujardin in the saddle. The Hanoverian stallion – who scored 9.2 for trot, 9 for canter and submission, 8.9 for perspective, and 7 for walk – is owned by Charlotte and was bred by German-based ZG Sievers and Nicole u. Friedrich.
Second place went to the Danish mare Brandtbjergs Divya, with Theresa Rosenkilde riding. A total score of 80.140% saw them finish only a whisker behind the British combination, with marks of 8.8 for trot, walk, submission and perspective, and 8.6 for canter. The mare was bred by Brandtbjerggaard/Fam.Buhl and is owned by Maibritt Rosenkilde.
Dutch mare Odi Murona placed third for rider Tessa Kole. A total of 79.593% completed a very tight podium that should make for an interesting final on Sunday, with marks of 9 for submission and perspective, 8.8 for canter, 8.5 for walk, and 8.4 for trot.
Representing Australia in the class was Jessica Dertell and Osaka P (Escolar x Florencio 2), who certainly looked to well – especially considering arduous travel from Australia to Europe. Osaka P was bred by Pegasus Stables in the Netherlands, and is owned by Jess and her mother Kate Dertell in conjunction with Sharin Roberts and Linda Mars.
The Australian combination had the tricky roll of being first down the centreline, following the scratching of the first horse in the draw. The stallion was tense early in the test with a couple of spooky moments, which were very well handled by Jess. Osaka relaxed as the test progressed and was able to leave the arena on a long rein at its conclusion.
The stallion received a technical mark of 64.910%, with the spookiness proving a little costly, and combined with scores of 7.8 for trot, 7.5 for canter, 7.4 for perspective, 6.8 for walk, and 6.7 for submission, finished with a total of 68.656%. Unfortunately, the combination was later recorded as an elimination – as were three other combinations in the seven-year-old class.
Future Farms releases statement regarding elimination
Since the conclusion of the First Qualification for Seven-Year-Olds, Future Farms (Kate and Jessica Dertell) have released the following statement:
“We are absolutely devastated to share that Osaka P and Jessica Dertell have been eliminated from the 7-Year-Old competition at the FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.
“A few hours after their first-round test on Friday morning, Jessica was informed that she and Osaka had been eliminated and were going to be issued a Yellow Warning Card for the alleged concealment of a wound due to cream being present on the back of Osaka’s feet.
“The cream is a non-swabbable zinc barrier cream that Osaka routinely has applied to protect sensitive skin and help prevent dermatitis. “Importantly, following the elimination, Osaka was examined at his stable by three official FEI veterinarians, who advised us that there was no wound, that in their opinion the cream was not concealing a wound but protecting sensitive skin, and that Osaka was fit to compete.
“Despite this veterinary assessment, we were later advised by the Chief Steward that the Yellow Warning Card and elimination would stand and that Jessica and Osaka would not be permitted to continue in the competition.
“Jessica and our entire team are absolutely devastated by the situation. She has proudly represented Australia at these Championships, and our number one priority has always been, and will always be, the welfare of our horses. We look forward to Osaka commencing his journey home to Australian soil.
“We are incredibly proud of Jessica and Osaka P and the way they have represented Australia. We will now seek clarification through the appropriate FEI processes regarding the decision and the Yellow Warning Card.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported Jessica, Osaka and our team throughout this journey.”
Small Final for Five-Year-Old Horses
The Small Final for Five-Year-Old Horses saw a win to Sweden’s Buskhagas Sanjay (Suarez x Sudanas), bred by Stall Buskhaga and owned by Malin Holmgren. Partnered with rider Linnéa Holmgren, the stallion scored 8.6 for canter, 8.5 for perspective, and 8 for trot, walk and submission for a total of 82.2%.
Australians Jemma Heran and Zauberfloete 10 (Zenon x San Amour I) withdrew from the Small Final.
Saturday will see the Small Final for Seven-Year-Old Horses and the Final for Six-Year-Old Horses, while Sunday will see the Final for Five-Year-Old Horses and Final for Seven-Year-Old Horses.
Full results and draws can be found here.
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