The first qualifier at the LONGINES FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses was won by the Oldenburger-bred stallion Fashion Prinz OLD (Fürst Romancier x Sarkozy, breeder Gestüt Lewitz, owner Hof Kasselmann), piloted by Frederic Wandres to an average score of 8.9, the highlight being a 9.5 for walk.
Chairman of the jury Hennin Lehrmann remarked: “Fashion Prinz is a wonderful horse that possesses three fantastic gaits. Especially the trot and walk are of exceptional quality. His self-carriage could be slightly better, but for a merely five-year-old horse of this size it was simply very good. We rewarded the perspective with 9,0 as well."
Frederic Wandres was more than pleased with the performance of his stallion: “We were the last ones to go. I had already seen so many good and promising horses. To come out on top is a fantastic feeling. Fashion Prinze gave his best and I am so happy with him. He measures over 190cms (18.2hh) and, for his age and size, his level of elasticity and the way he handles his body is unbelievable. His biggest plus no doubt is the walk indeed. In my eyes he leaves nothing to be desired.”
The Hannoverian stallion Vitalos (Vitalis x De Niro, breeder Josef Bramlage) owned by stallion station Helgstrand/Schockemöhle placed second. Showed by Leonie Richter, the chestnut obtained an average score of 8.86. Judge Lehrmann expressed his admiration for this stallion: “This horse is uphill by nature and had a lot of 'wow' moments in trot. The walk is correct, and the right-hand canter was incredible. The left-hand canter was a bit short behind, but this horse has abundant quality and seems to be very cooperative.”
Third place was awarded to the mare Lyngbjergs St. Paris (Blue Hors St. Schufro x Blue Hors Rockefeller) for owners United Dressage and Vallentin Dressage. Presented by Victoria E. Vallentin this breeding product of Bente Borjesson received a total score of 8.82. “This is a completely different horse than the first two”, explains Lehrmann. “This mare got the highest mark for submission today and she displays a fantastic use of the hindleg. Perhaps she could have been a little more relaxed in the walk, but in essence, truly an elegant horse!”
The best 13 five-year-olds advance to the final on Saturday. Usually, 12 combinations receive a ticket to the final, but that number has been increased to 13 thanks to an ex aequo sixth-place result. The best three combinations of the small final on Friday earn a spot in the exciting conclusion on Saturday as well. The scores were close today and in the final all horses performed with a clean slate, which makes anything possible for the final test.
Source: ErmeloYH/Claartje van Andel
