Day two for Australia saw two of our newest Grand Prix combinations take the stage at Aachen, with both horses having only been competing at CDI (international level) Grand Prix since earlier this year.
Olympian William Matthew and Faye 43 (Fuerst Wilhelm x Alajano 2) were first to take the stage. Will showcased the 10-year-old mare’s growing talent for the Grand Prix and they finished on a solid score of 67.019%. An unfortunate mistake in the one tempis changes stopped them from achieving a personal best, however it was a strong performance for a mare that is still relatively green at the level and as yet unaccustomed to an event with the atmosphere of a World Championship.
Warwick McLean made his World Championship debut with Le Special (Grey Flanell x Sir Oldenburg) as the final combination for Australia. The 10-year-old stallion had lots of presence in the arena and showed great moments of what is to come, however unfortunate spookiness in the bottom left corner affected multiple marks – as did a miscommunication in the first piaffe. Like Faye 43, Le Special is still relatively green at the level, and the World Championships is no doubt an atmosphere unlike any he would have experienced to date. Warwick will likely be aiming for the LA Olympics in 2028, to continue to show what this young stallion is capable of. They finished with a score of 64.984%.
Wednesday’s results saw Australia finish in 13th place as a team from 19 nations.
Simone Pearce and Will Marq make the Grand Prix Special start list
Simone Pearce’s personal best performance on Tuesday saw her finish individually in 16th, which sits her among the top 30 that proceeds to the Grand Prix Special (draw and start times still to come). If she and Will Marq can replicate a similar result there, she will make the top 18 that progress to the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Team gold for Germany
Germany have claimed the team gold medal on home soil. Standout performances from day two include Katharina Hemmer and Denoix PCH (Destano x Pik Noir). The pair produced a personal best of 79.224%. Reflecting on a performance that thrilled the Aachen crowd, Katharina said: “I knew it was a good ride, but when the score came up, I was so proud. The two gentlemen [Frederic Wandres and Raphael Netz] had already ridden so well yesterday, which took a lot of pressure off today, and I also knew Isabell [Werth] was still to come after me.
“At a Championship like this, you want everything to come together, and when it does, it is amazing. Denoix was very cool. We can really rely on each other and he tried his heart out,” said Katharina.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine (Sezuan x Blue Hors Soprano) just inched ahead of Hemmer to finish on a score of 79.876% despite mistakes in the one tempis and a loss of rhythm in the walk.
Great Britain claimed silver
Carl Hester and Fame (Bordeaux x Rhodium) were first out for Great Britain on day two. Carl continued to prove why he is a master of dressage, riding a very accurate test for 77.314%. Fame is a talented horse but can sometimes be too hot and spooky and Carl did an incredible job in keeping the harmony in the atmosphere.
Following the test, Carl shared: “After 36 years of riding Grand Prix, you still don’t go in thinking that everything will simply work. It still brings pressure, fun, sleepless nights and so much going through your head.
“It doesn’t matter how long you have been doing it. It doesn’t necessarily get any easier as you get older, because after a few good results, people expect more from you.”
Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry and Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) looked in top form. The reigning World Champions delivered a strong test but had an unfortunate miscommunication in the first piaffe affecting their score. The combination finished on a brilliant score of 80.311%, which was unfortunately not enough to close the 3.5% gap between Great Britain and Germany for team gold but did see them sit third overall individually.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle secured team bronze for Denmark
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle (Fidermark x Donnerhall) produced a harmonious test to secure individual first with 82.376%. Whilst it was not a personal best score for them, Freestyle still showcased her renowned elasticity and expression throughout the test, with just small glitches in the first couple of piaffe and passage transitions affecting their mark.
Cathrine shared: “[Mount St John Freestyle] felt so fit today. In fact, we have been on an upward tendency throughout the season. I was very confident when we entered the arena. ‘Free’ was absolutely unbelievable today.”
On day one, teammate Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Flash Gordon 37 (Fiderbach x Don Romantic) produced a personal best score of 74.876% to help the team secure bronze.
Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus (Zonik N.O.P x Hohenstein) finished individual second with 80.885%. The combination had some uncharacteristic tension in their test along with a small mistake in the one tempis, which affected their score.
Riders will now be looking ahead to the first individual medals in the Grand Prix Special as well as securing their place in the top 18 to continue to the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Watch the action live with ClipMyHorse.TV
One thing is for sure; the dressage lineup brings lots of action this year, making it a thrilling watch for all fans. The best way to watch the action live and on demand is with a CMH.TV Premium Yearly Membership.
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