Once again Denmark will be represented with four 5-year-old horses and four 6-year-old horses at the World Championship for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany. This year the event will take place on August 5-8.
Among the eight selected horses one is TAF registered (Danish Trakehner), and the remaining seven plus the four reserves are all registered with DV (Dansk Varmblod).
In 2009 the Danish horses had massive success in Verden where all four 5-year-olds qualified for the final and placed 1st, 2nd, 7th and 13th. The best three are returning to Verden this year as 6-year-olds and will be accompanied by a very attractive Michellino offspring ridden by Sanne Henningsen.
The group of 5-year-olds selected for the championships this year includes two mares that were among the best at the Danish Warmblood Elite Show 2008 and were both awarded gold medal. On the team is also licensed Trakehner stallion Aston Martin and Sopran Morsø which has been successful in the Danish young horse championships.
Out of the eight horses qualified for Verden Danish dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand, who claimed both gold and silver in 2009, is riding one 5-year-old and two 6-year-olds.
5-year-olds:
Aston Martin (TAF) by Monteverdi x Sixtus
Rider: John Hvalsøe Saul
Grevens Sa’ Va’ (DV) by Blue Hors Soprano x Blue Hors Romancier
Rider: Camilla Ahlers Pedersen
Sopran Morsø (DV) by Blue Hors Soprano x Akinos
Rider: Jim Rasmussen
Tørveslettens Stamina (DV) by Stedinger x Carano
Rider: Andreas Helgstrand
1st reserve
Romando (DV) by Blue Hors Romanov x Blue Hors Romancier
Rider: Ulrik G. Sørensen
2nd reserve
Romance (DV) by Blue Hors Don Romantic x Schwadroneur
Rider: John Hvalsøe Saul
6-year-olds:
Capong (DV) by Michellino x Racot
Rider: Sanne Henningsen
Hønnerups Driver (DV) by Blue Hors Romanov x Blue Hors Don Schufro
Rider: Andreas Helgstrand
Skovens Rafael (DV) by Blue Hors Romanov x Blue Hors Don Schufro
Rider: Lotte Skjærbæk
UNO Donna Unique (DV) by Blue Hors Don Schufro x Falkland
Rider: Andreas Helgstrand
1st reserve Karina Lihmskov (DV) by Blue Hors Don Romantic x Temple Wind XX
Rider: Maria Andersen
2nd reserve Hedens Dimarco (DV) by De Noir x Landau
Rider: Rune Willum Hansen