Thomas Bach Jensen
It was an incredibly exciting final at the FEI/WBFSH world championships for 5-year-old dressage horses in Ermelo today. The first horse to compete, the DWB mare Heiline's Danciera by Fürstenball x De Niro pulled off an amazing performance under her rider, Danish Carina Cassøe Krüth and scored 90.60% which put pressure on the competitors.
The last horse to go was the tall chestnut RHEIN mare Victoria's Secret by Vitalis x Fidermark ridden by German Beatrice Buchwald. This combination won the qualifier and once again they proved to be unbeatable. Today's performance by Beatrice and Victoria's Secret epitomised lightness and elegance. The mare demonstrated a high level of rideability, so much power and rhythm and unlimited talent. Therefore, the judges gave Victoria's Secret a clear 10 for future perspective. With a total score of 95% the Westfalian mare claimed the world champion title and the gold medal.
Runner-up and silvermedalist was the OLDB gelding Quel Filou by Quaterback x Stedinger ridden by Sascha Schulz from Luxemburg. This powerful mover achieved the today's highest marks for gaits - the one and only 10 which was given for Quel Filou's rhythmic and ground covering walk. He landed a 93,20%.
Dutch Kim van der Velden rode the KWPN mare Guadeloupe-Beau by Bordeaux x Vivaldi into third position claiming the bronze medal with a score of 91.00%. The mare's highlight was her big, bouncy and ground covering trot which the judges awarded with 9.4.
View the result of the class HERE.