Dressage Grand Prix Special in Paris: The team medal decider as it happens with Roger Fitzhardinge

Main image: Quincy B and Jayden Brown, image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.

Inside Paris | Presented by International Horse Breeders

Follow Roger Fitzhardinge’s insights for the Grand Prix Special in Versailles

What a team medal decider, how close can these riders and their scores become! This competition was without doubt the most exciting and closely contested teams competition at just about any Olympics. Germany had to really fight for their win and thanks to Isabell Werth’s superlative riding and being the stronghold, they deserved the gold medal. Congratulations Germany, and it is so good to see you being pushed along by the likes of Denmark with the silver and Great Britain with the bronze.

Every Olympic rider that has qualified deserves enormous accolades and congratulations. Well done to the young Australian team on a solid performance to finish tenth; it’s been an absolute thrill to watch Jayden, Will and Simone contest the final today.

For aspiring riders watching on, it’s about attention to detail, transitions, straightness, and throughness to an even contact, regularity, and above all, harmonious riding. What an absolute treat to see every rider at this level. Bring on the Freestyle!

30. 15:25 CEST / 23:25 AEST: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) – TSF Dalera BB

(Dark Bay/2007/Mare/TRAK/Easy Game x Dark Magic, by Handryk)

Jessica is a truly beautiful rider: elegant and beautifully positioned. There is no question that a light contact is good, but too light a contact can be very tricky. The small mistakes that Dalera makes, I believe, comes from a slightly tenuous contact. I believe her Grand Prix test was the best I’ve ever seen; for me, in the Special there was a little lack of consistency and continuity into the bridle from behind. It lacked a little throughness and sometimes in the extended trot and the passage, the right fore was coming higher than the left. Certainly not irregular as such, but perhaps from a lack of honest straightness and throughness to the contact. Still, an amazing performance and beautifully ridden. Score: 79.954% (2)

29. 15:15 CEST / 23:15 AEST: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) – Freestyle

(Dark Bay/2009/Mare/HANN/Fidermark x Donna Gracia, by Donnerhall 11)

Many months ago, before the mare had a minor injury, I predicted this horse would be an Olympic champion. I stand my ground. Words fail me. But you could say: seamless, confident, expressive, willing, no resistance, balance… and the adjectives keep flowing. For me, this was as close to perfection as I have seen. The regularity of the paces, the total confidence and consistency in balance, every transition seamless, and with Cathrine sitting there like a Queen. I don’t think I’ve seen a test as beautiful as judges want in modern day dressage. A beautiful performance, despite a small slip up in the one-tempis. Score: 81.216% (1)

28. 15:05 CEST / 23:05 AEST: Charlotte Fry (GBR) – Glamourdale

(Black/2011/Stallion/KWPN/Lord Leatherdale x Thuja, by Negro)

What can you say about superlative dressage? The odd glitch, coming a little behind the leg coming into piaffe and a little misunderstanding when he thought passage to walk, instead of passage to extended trot, but the overall impression was one of ease and confidence. Amazing half pass trot. Amazing two-tempi changes. Outstanding one-tempi changes. The canter pirouettes had beautiful balance and confidence. A test that filled one with inspiration and jealousy when it comes to communication and understanding between horse and rider! Exceptional. Score: 79.483% (4)

27. 14:55 CEST / 22:55 AEST: Dinja van Liere (NED) – Hermes

(Bay/2012/Stallion/KWPN/Easy Game x Bukkie, by Flemmingh)

What an exceptional test. Throughness to the nth degree, with connection from the back to the front. Never with a hesitant step in any movement. Generous and honest in very movement. Relaxation, combined with positive tension, produced beautiful transitions that were seamless and always on the hind leg. I hold this combination in the highest regard. A test that demonstrates everything that Grand Prix dressage should be. Electric, yet relaxed and harmonious. What a treat. Score: 77.720% (6)

26. 14:45 CEST / 22:45 AEST: Patrik Kittel (SWE) – Touchdown

(Bay/2012/Gelding/SWB/Quaterback x La Mour, by Sack)

As always, Patrik not missing an opportunity to gain a mark anywhere throughout the test. I am not putting marks down, but I would have felt that as an overall impression, a bigger mark could have been deserved. This horse was forward throughout. He was connected, expressive and showing great transitions and adjustability. Perhaps a little more swinging through the back in the trot work, but for me a beautifully balanced and beautifully ridden test. Not sure what held the judges back from giving more marks. Score: 74.331% (11)

25. 14:35 CEST / 22:35 AEST: Flore de Winne (BEL) – Flynn FRH

(Black/2014/Stallion/HANN/Tannenhof’s Fahrenheit x Sun On Me, by Sir Oldenburg)

Yet another super test from the Belgian contingent! A country that has really made heads turn this Olympics. A very solid and honest test, very well ridden with seamless transitions. A rider very proud of her horse and his generosity during the entire test. A well-deserved mark that could easily have been more without any problems. Well done Belgium, a country that is really starting to produce great horses and riders. Score: 74.149% (13)

24. 14:25 CEST / 22:25 AEST: Pauline Basquin (FRA) – Sertorius de Rima Z

(Dark Bay/2010/Gelding/ZANG/Sandro Hit x Siolita, by Voltaire Pref)

A really elegant combination, but I feel it was fairly clear that the problems during this test came from a feeling of being a little above the bit and hallow. So, when compression was required to sit and engage, the horse was just coming against the bridle and lacking an ability to let go in the jaw and the poll, and at that moment, created resistance. For me, a real honesty forward into a round and connected througness lacked at times. A very popular rider amongst the judges. Harmonious, but tonight a little lack of throughness spoiled the test. Score: 72.720% (15)

23. 14:15 CEST / 22:15 AEST: Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT) – Abegglen FH NRW

(Dark Bay/2010/Gelding/WESTF/Ampere x Curley Sue, by Helenenhof’s Carabas)

Unfortunately this lovely horse lacked credibility in the collected and extended walk, and the marks for these movements spoilt the overall impression. A final extended trot on the centreline was super, and there was obvious harmony between horse and rider throughout. Good canter pirouettes and balance. Some very nice things to like about this combination. Score: 73.754% (14)

22. 14:05 CEST / 22:05 AEST: Emma Kanerva (FIN) – Greek Air

(Chestnut/2011/Stallion/ZFDP/I.P.S. Gribaldi x Flybaboo Air, by Florestan I)

What a fabulous test. Emma riding with consummate ease, her horse full of confidence and admiration for his rider. Expression, activity, collection and extension, what more could you want. I would have thought more marks. For my eye, the balance, confidence, contact and continuity showed everything that good dressage should. A beautiful example of Olympic Grand Prix dressage; a top rider. Score: 74.301% (12)

21. 13:55 CEST / 21:55 AEST: Simone Pearce (AUS) – Destano

(Black/2007/Stallion/HANN/Desperados FRH x Bella Navonna, by Brentano II)

Simone riding the best she could on this day; as always, a beautiful rider and what a talent. The extended trot showed some good marks. Unfortunately today the contact and throughness was lacking at times, and this showed in the collection, the canter pirouettes and the piaffe and passage. Destano has been a wonderful horse and holds all three Australian Grand Prix records; what a horse he has been for Simone and this country. A special partnership. It was announced prior to this test that it would be the stallion’s last. What a well-deserved retirement for a horse that has given us so many thrills over the past few years. Happy retirement, Destano! Score: 67.340% (28)

20. 13:25 CEST / 21:25 AEST: Isabell Werth (GER) – Wendy

(Black/2014/Mare/DWB/Sezuan 2 x Skovens Vanilla, by Blue Hors Soprano)

What can you say but a genius rider. Totally incredible; a rider that is so thinking like her mount, but even more in advance, correcting minor balance problems before anything major occurs. For me, the passage in the last month has improved out of sight. Previously, a criticism of mine was a lack of flexion of the hind leg in the passage and a feeling of sliding the hind leg under, but not today at all. Isabell is absolutely supreme. A mare that is green at this level and the combination has not been together for long, yet they think along the same lines. A mistake in the one-tempis on the centreline, but that wasn’t enough to cruel the score too much. Words fail me for such an outstanding test; better than the Grand Prix, showing better confidence. In true Isabell form, understating her first test, making certain the horse gained confidence so that today she could push for a little more expression. Not just a super talented producer of outstanding horses, but mentally astute in the progression to winning a gold medal. Score: 79.894% (3)

19. 13:15 CEST / 21:15 AEST: Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) – Zepter

(Chestnut/2008/Gelding/OLDBG/Blue Hors Zack x Who’s Sunlight, by Wolkentanz II)

An all-time favourite. A stunning rider with an amazing ability to produce a horse in balance that can then produce expression and correctness. It’s not fair to compare one horse to another, but it’s hard not to when you see one after the other; to think this horse’s marks are simply a few percent higher than Fame’s makes you wonder why. I thought that the judges were looking for a frame that was forwarding-thinking to the bridle, while still remaining engaged and elastic; Zepter exemplifies this. What a fabulous test, a shame about the change in the twos (4.9 and still that percentage). Outstanding horse, outstanding test. Score: 78.480% (5)

18. 13:05 CEST / 21:05 AEST: Carl Hester (GBR) – Fame

(Bay/2010/Stallion/KWPN/Bordeaux 28 x Bonaventura, by Rhodium)

Carl is the evergreen, consummate competitor. Despite when times get troubled, he manages to wow the judges. Fame started with some degree of tension, shown through a short and elevated neck, with no real connection nor sitting or active hid legs; he was lacking flexion and activity behind. As the test continued, there’s no doubt the quality got a little better and the final centreline showed more what we expected from this combination. I felt there were very good marks given to this test. Score: 76.520% (7)

17. 12:55 CEST / 20:55 AEST: Emmelie Scholtens (NED) – Indian Rock

(Dark Bay/2013/Stallion/KWPN/Apache x Crisjena, by Vivaldi)

For me, the trot work positivity, and the sitting and elevation in the piaffe and passage, are quite exceptional. For a large stature, Indian Rock can be very light to the ground. However, it’s certainly not the weather or ambience for stallions today! A lack of concentration and some degree of stallion arrogance made for major mistakes. At this level, to fall out of canter into trot is not really acceptable. As much as you love a horse and the way it goes, you have to be honest about mistakes and mental resistances. Not a happy day for the Dutch! Score: 70.684% (21)

16. 12:45 CEST / 20:45 AEST: Therese Nilshagen (SWE) – Dante Weltino OLD

(Black/2007/Stallion/OLDBG/Danone 4 x Rihanna, by Welt Hit II)

The day that Dante Weltino decides to put his best foot forward and help Theresa from the beginning to the end of the test, he would win a gold medal! He is absolutely the extreme athlete, but his mindset has tinges of arrogance; I say that with endearment, as I love this horse. The most beautiful horse, he always excites me. Perhaps despite his expansive, forward trot, the mistakes in the piaffe/passage transitions are more that he becomes behind the leg and is not forward thinking to the contact. Theresa does an outstanding job being diminutive, and I love this horse. Score: 69.650% (25)

15. 12:35 CEST / 20:35 AEST: Larissa Pauluis (BEL) – Flambeau

(Bay/2010/Gelding/KWPN/Ampere x Lakarla, by Zeoliet)

In the beginning of the test, a feeling of the horse not being truly over-the-back and reaching into a steady and even contact. The feeling of a half halt over the back and through the poll into the bridle lacked a little. A really beautiful athletic horse, but I think this lack of honesty to the bridle was the key to the few of the mistakes he made. Short behind in the canter pirouettes and a few mistakes in the changes, were all a little creation of the lack of throughness. As the test went on, the judges started to penalise this feeling. A great horse, just need a little more throughness. Score: 69.179% (26)

14. 12:25 CEST / 20:25 AEST: Alexandre Ayache (FRA) – Jolene

(Bay/2012/Mare/DWB/Johnson TN x Bogelys Contica, by Continue)

A big sigh of relief at the end of the test. A very interesting horse with few mistakes, and again you wonder why the judges didn’t reward more marks. Expansive paces, combined with expression, but occasionally noting an opening mouth that pushes a little against the bridle. Again, a test that invites positivity in the harmony and degree of training. It’s certainly not an easy sport! Score: 70.821% (20)

13. 12:15 CEST / 20:15 AEST: Florian Bacher (AUT) – Fidertraum OLD

(Bay/2009/Gelding/OLDBG/Fidertanz 2 x No Time, by Rubinstein 46)

Another very beautifully controlled and consistent test. Fidertraum tried his heart out in every movement. On watching the test, you question why not bigger marks? Contact, balance, and harmony, are all very evident. A rider that has trained this horse extremely well, but it just lacks a little in natural elasticity and expression. By the same token, a test that one would be very proud to have ridden. Score: 70.608% (22)

12. 12:05 CEST / 20:05 AEST: Joanna Robinson (FIN) – Glamouraline

(Dark Bay/2011/Mare/KWPN/Johnson TN x Anoraline, by Samba Hit)

For me, a consistent test for Finland. I’m a little confused why the C judge marked 63%. For sure could be a little more uphill, but I think the marks were a little disappointing for the Finnish team. The rider was full of joy and animation, and pleased with her horse; that’s what it’s all about! For me a pleasing test. Score: 66.413% (30)

11. 11:55 CEST / 19:55 AEST: William Matthew (AUS) – Mysterious Star

(Dark Bay/2013/Gelding/OLDBG/Metall x Fuerstin Lena, by Fürst Heinrich)

Will really rode with empathy and tact, continually gaining this horse’s confidence throughout this test. To step onto an international stage like this is huge, and to produce a test up there among his highest Grand Prix Special percentages is outstanding. A little tension for Will made it difficult for him to produce a more uphill test, and there was a little anticipation coming into the one tempi changes. Mysterious Star, at only eleven years of age, lacks a little experience, but all the same, a beautiful, empathetic ride with Will getting the best out of his horse on the day and extremely well done. What an amazing performance for the Australian team so far! Score: 69.711% (24)

10. 11:30 CEST / 19:30 AEST: Frederic Wandres (GER) – Bluetooth OLD

(Dark Bay/2010/Gelding/OLDBG/Bordeaux 28 x Lorena, by GB Riccione)

It’s quite an amazing competition with incredible talent and training. It really comes down to what you like as personal preference. This horse has a beautiful shape and is incredibly well balanced, but just lacking a little athleticism. Freddie, being an outstanding rider and based at P.S.I. with the Kasselmanns, produced a fantastic performance. A few tiny mistakes spoiling the marks, but what an exciting team medal competition we have on our hands. Fabulous riding throughout. Score: 75.942% (10)

9. 11:20 CEST / 19:20 AEST: Daniel Bachmann Andersen (DEN) – Vayron

(Bay/2011/Stallion/WESTF/Vitalis x Gloria, by Gloster)

As we thought, extended trot and passage, and transitions within the two, gained high marks and deservedly so. What a horse, what a rider. One judge put this combination on 74%, for me that was low. Dressage at the Olympics should give a feeling of total control with a horse that wants to give its all, and there was no question throughout that this was the case. Unfortunately, a low mark in the walk spoiled the percentage, plus an untidy change. Keep you eyes on this combination for the future. Quite outstanding. Score: 75.973% (9)

8. 11:10 CEST / 19:10 AEST: Becky Moody (GBR) – Jagerbomb

(Bay/2014/Gelding/KWPN/Dante Weltino OLD x Udysee, by Jazz)

What could you say about that test other than confident, mistake-free and above all in a beautiful balance. For me, I believe, there could have been more marks. A fabulous performance for Becky Moody; coming in as a reserve isn’t an easy position to take. A young horse, and putting the pressure on for this team medal decider! Most impressive. Balanced, exciting, and mistake-free. She’s had this horse from a youngster and her sister convinced her to keep him, good idea! Well done Becky, a fantastic job. Score: 76.489% (8)

7. 11:00 CEST / 19:00 AEST: Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) – Toto Jr.

(Black/2011/Stallion/HANN/Totilas x Desperada, by Desperados FRH)

An amazing package. So much better than the Grand Prix test. More relaxed and confident, not a mistake in sight. I thought the marks could have been more free-flowing for this combination. Beautiful canter pirouettes. A little pocket rocket that shows more relaxation and wing today compared to the Grand Prix. For me, I loved the performance. It was exciting, uphill, and a clean and clear test, not only in the correct way and with preparation for every movement, but always with a very good feeling of engagement and controlled electricity. Impressive! Score: 72.644% (16)

6. 10:50 CEST / 18:50 AEST: Juliette Ramel (SWE) – Buriel K.H.

(Dark Bay/2006/Gelding/KWPN/Osmium x Ronja K.H., by IPS Krack C)

A test that was full of promise, power and expression, but a little loss of concertation and perhaps tension through atmosphere produced a few too many mistakes for the big marks. All the same, a horse that tries his heart out and such a beautiful, uphill feeling, with a very strong loin, uphill feeling, over-the-back and sitting ability. Without those mistakes, it would be up near the top of the list for me. Perhaps at times, a little strong in the contact. Score: 68.830% (27)

5. 10:40 CEST / 18:40 AEST: Domien Michiels (BEL) – Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof

(Black/2008/Gelding/BWP/I.P.S. Gribaldi x Princesse, by Balzflug)

I find it very difficult to believe this horse was 2% better than the first horse in the arena (Quincy B). Good marks for this horse in the extended trot, yet I never saw an over-track at all! A lack of over-the-back and pushing upwards in the passage, with some irregular steps, but still fairly good marks. Credit where credit is due, they were lovely canter pirouettes. I think a very good rider, producing the best this horse can do, but for me the lack of strength over the loins and ability carry weight and remain regular spoiled many movements. An honest horse with a great attitude, but we’re at the Olympics and we expect over-the-back and adjustability, i.e. lengthened strides (over-track) and shortened strides. It’s difficult to follow sometimes what the judges are looking for. Score: 72.386% (17)

4. 10:30 CEST / 18:30 AEST: Corentin Pottier (FRA) – Gotilas du Feuillard

(Black/2011/Gelding/KWPN/Totilas x Vital Hit S, by Olympic Ferro)

I’m sure it’s a real thrill to be a Frenchman in Paris at the Olympics! A well-presented test, and I know you shouldn’t compare one horse to another, but Jayden’s test was mistake-free with a very uphill and engaged from. As nice as this horse was, it lacked a feeling of total adjustability and throughness. It was so nice to see an elated rider who was so pleased with his horse’s performance. It’s a little difficult at this stage in the Special to see what the judges are looking for. Score: 71.748% (18)

3. 10:20 CEST / 18:20 AEST: Stefan Lehfellner (AUT) – Roberto Carlos MT

(Black/2010/Gelding/OLDBG/Rosandro x Weinbluete, by De Niro 6)

The overall impression was that for better marks, the horse needed to be more sitting and show a more elastic and uphill way of going. Light in the contact, but a feeling of being not really honest in the bridle. The one tempi changes needed to be more forward thinking and cover more ground for better marks. A very elegant horse, but minor mistakes spoilt bigger marks. Score: 67.143% (29)

2. 10:10 CEST / 18:10 AEST: Henri Ruoste (FIN) – Tiffanys Diamond

(Bay/2012/Mare/DWB/Tailormade Temptation x High Tek, by His Highness 2)

What an absolutely gorgeous horse. Modern, beautiful and athletic. The trot work showed great collection and flare, yet maintaining a calm and delightful attitude. The canter lacked a little ground cover, and in the changes became a little tight and short in the neck. All minor details for a beautiful test. A horse that shows huge potential for the future. It’s interesting to see the riders looking more relaxed and the horses now feeling more confident in the environment, resulting in better tests. A great horse and a great rider. Score: 71.322% (19)

1. 10:00 CEST / 18:00 AEST: Jayden Brown (AUS) – Quincy B

(Chestnut/2014/Gelding/HANN/Quaterback x St. Pr. Hauptstutbuch, by Desperados FRH)

What can I say… total admiration for a seriously international, mistake-free, beautifully controlled test. Jayden’s riding, empathy, and ability to show what the judges what they want in this test was exemplary. A little disappointing in the marks for the half passes; the second canter pirouette was great. I reiterate my comments, the submission and the amazing, beautiful, consistent and soft contact from the back to the front, for me, is as good as it gets. Disappointing that he had to be first. Perhaps it could have been a little braver in the extended trot, but overall it as a more beautiful test than the Grand Prix. I hope Terry snow is a very proud man for what he has done for Australian dressage. I hope he realises the input he has had to the sport in Australia, and helping produce Jayden Brown to the amazing athlete he is now. As an Aussie, I have to say congratulations to Jayden Brown, as well as Willinga Park and Terry and Ginette Snow, for putting their money were their mouth is. I’m sure Jayden’s riding and empathy, feel and ability was noticed by all who watched. Score: 70.152% (23)

Grand Prix Special team medal decider

Don’t miss the action from 6pm AEST tonight as the Australian team contests the Grand Prix Special team medal decider at the Paris Olympics. The first combination down the centreline, Jayden Brown and 10-year-old Quincy B (Quaterback x St. Pr. Hauptstutbuch, by Desperados FRH) have a great record in the Grand Prix Special with two scores over 71% to their name this year. A horse Jayden has produced from a three-year-old, Quincy is owned by Terry Snow of Willinga Park; Terry has always believed this pair has Olympic potential, and that dream is now a reality.

Second into the arena for Australia is Perth-born Will Matthew riding 11-year-old Mysterious Star (Metall x Fuerstin Lena, by Fürst Heinrich), a horse he has produced from a five-year-old for owner Stephanie Göller. Will and Mysterious Star produced a PB in the Grand Prix here in Paris, and with historically higher scores in the Grand Prix Special (70%+ in the past) it will be exciting to see what this combination can produce here.

Finally, Simone Pearce and 17-year-old Destano (Desperados FRH x Bella Navonna, by Brentano II), owned by Gestüt Sprehe, will be anchoring the Aussie team. Simone announced yesterday that this test will be Destano’s swansong, so be sure to watch as it will no doubt be a fitting finale for this stallion who has now represented Australia at two Olympic Games and holds the Australian records across all three Big Tour tests.

Best of luck to all three riders, we’ll be cheering you on!

Catch up on the action from the Grand Prix Day One.

Catch up on the action from the Grand Prix Day Two.