Main image: Carl Hester and Fame of Great Britain, image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
Inside Paris | Presented by International Horse Breeders
The first day of Grand Prix action begins today in Paris, from 7pm AEST (11am CEST). Here are Roger Fitzhardinge’s combinations to watch.
7:09:30pm AEST (11:09:30am CEST): Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald & Zepter (Blue Hors Zack x Who’s Sunlight, by Wolkentanz II)
Another all-time fabulous horse is 16-year-old Zepter for Nanna Skodborg Merrald, also of Denmark. A rangy big chestnut who is a seriously consistent performer with a wonderful frame and outlook. He is another that has no weak links and no huge highlight, but is super correct and a horse full of power and presence whilst remaining so clear in the contact. Nanna has had a great run with her other horses and at Aachen gained confidence with great scores and positive riding. This pair are ready to rumble. Watch this space!
7:47:30pm AEST (11:47:30am CEST): Australia’s Jayden Brown & Quincy B (Quaterback x St. Pr. Hauptstutbuch, by Desperados FRH)
Jayden Brown will be the first rider out for Australia with ten-year-old Quincy B. Jayden and Quincy left Willinga Park two years ago to train in Great Britain with Carl Hester. With conscientious and diligence, the improvement has been steady and the scores still on the improve. Hopefully they can get a PB in Paris (their PB to date is 71.652%) and all going well, a score above 70% and up is very achievable, albeit a big ask, and it will be interesting to see him in the atmosphere. He is a beautiful gelding by Quaterback and watch for the biggest marks in the pirouettes… they are amazing. One thing for sure Jayden will not be fazed! One positive is the contact and the self-carriage and harmony between these two; it is outstanding. Jayden did win a special award at CDI Lier in March from the FEI stewards for his outstanding display of fairness and empathy towards the horses during warm-up. He is a beautiful and empathetic rider.
Australia’s Jayden Brown and Quincy B. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
8:06:30pm AEST (12:06:30pm CEST): Lithuania’s Justina Vanagaite-Samuile & Nabab (Sir Donovan x Tamarinde, by Krack C)
With empathy and training as in so many, there is Justina Vanagaite-Samuile and 11-year-old Nabab, an individual combination for Lithuania. A big, big combination that look completely at ease with each other. The work is correct but just lacking that star quality in energy. A complete delight to behold and one that everyone remembers, as the whole attitude is loyal and honest, trusting and authentic. They adore each other and have that real look of understanding and belief. They belong on the international stage!
Lithuania’s Justina Vanagaite-Samuile and Nabab. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
8:25:30pm AEST (12:25:30pm CEST): Great Britain’s Carl Hester & Fame (Bordeaux x Bonaventura, by Rhodium)
Carl is of course renowned in the world of dressage and a medallist at several Olympic Games. He will make history no matter the outcome by becoming the second British athlete to compete in seven Olympic Games. With no drop scores for the teams, the pressure is really on for a solid performance and Carl will no doubt be the man with the experience to deliver. Fame has the highest ever score that Carl has received. Fame is 14-year-old Dutch bred, by Bordeaux X Rhodium, and they only had their first outing together in 2023! They are consistent and a score in the high 70% range would be expected. The mental pressure that he must be carrying is enormous, but his compassionate riding and enthusiasm for his sport team and horse will not wane.
9:09:30pm AEST (13:09:30pm CEST): Germany’s Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD (Bordeaux x Lorena, by GB Riccione)
Fourteen-year-old Bluetooth for Frederic Wandres of Germany is a huge brown horse with plenty of pizazz. He had a good showing at Aachen with good scores, considering there were a few hiccups in the changes. With these glitches gone, which were uncharacteristic, this combination will be pushing through to the top end of the field. Great tempos and elasticity in this horse and a super balanced and feeling rider.
9:57pm AEST (13:57pm CEST): USA’s Marcus Orlob & Jane (Desperados x Zandra, by Metall)
For the USA, all eyes and hopes will be on 10-year-old Jane with Marcus Orlob. This is a truly beautiful mare: black with white socks and by Desperados x Metall. They had a great show at Aachen to be the best of the Americans, and it will be interesting to see her in Paris. She has great trot work and passage, but the canter still needed to develop a little better sitting and fluency. All the same, a wonderfully balanced test and when you realise Marcus only made his debut on Jane in Wellington in March, 2024! Look for her, and such a pretty-headed mare with loads to like.
The USA’s Marcus Orlob and Jane. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
10:25:30pm AEST (14:25:30pm CEST): Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen & Vayron (Vitalis x Gloria, by Gloster)
Daniel Bachmann Andersen and 13-year-old Vayron of Denmark have nerves of steel and he knows how to work under pressure. He has been on an upward trend with marks and is a very popular rider and character in the sport.
12:20:30am AEST (16:20:30pm CEST): Sweden’s Patrik Kittel & Touchdown (Quaterback x La Mour, by Sack)
Patrik Kittel will be one to be taking notice of with the bay gelding Touchdown, a 12-year-old Swedish warmblood by Quaterback. This combination are the current holders of the FEI Dressage World Cup Final title that was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The experience here is fantastic and Patrik is such a focused and concentrated rider. His preparations and positioning in all the movements is a lesson in itself. His joy of riding is a highlight, as after giving every ounce of his mind and body to ride the best he can, after the final salute his passion and emotion lets rip. It’s a joy to witness the sincerity of his partnership with Touchdown, and this is a horse that will be right up in the mix. He has a very uphill neck with a good, expressive front, and again a horse that has all the GP movements well consolidated.
