The finals of the Danish Equestrian Federation’s Young Horse Championships in dressage and jumping were held at the JBK Horse Show in Odense last week. These championships are open to horses of all registries and divided into the age categories of 4, 5 and 6 years of age. At the dressage finals this year each of the three age categories were won by Danish Warmblood horses.
Zonik 4-year-old dressage champion
Among the 16 finalists in the division for 4-year-olds the 14 highest placed were Danish Warmbloods. The qualifier as well as the final was won by the Danish Warmblood stallion licensing champion Zonik by Blue Hors Zack x Blue Hors Romanov (bred by Linette Jaeger). Zonik was flawlessly presented by his owner, Andreas Helgstrand, and achieved a clear 10 for his expressive trot and a total of 9.30.
The former Elite Foal Auction price highlight, premium stallion Tailormade Attention, became runner-up with a total score of 9.22 only 0.80 points behind Zonik. Tailormade Attention by Abanos x Boegelys Camaro (bred by Lone Christiansen) was ridden by Norwegian Silje Bakken and achieved 9.5 for both trot and canter.
With his first crop of 4-year-olds the double world champion finalist, Skovens Rafael by Blue Hors Romanov x Blue Hors Don Schufro, put his stamp on the finals. In 2007 he was only the 26th most frequented stallion in Danish Warmblood and only covered 50 mares. Out of this first crop three offspring made it to the finals and placed 3rd, 4th and 8th at the Danish championships in Odense. At the same occasion the 8-year-old sire successfully had his international small tour debut with his steady rider Lotte Skjaerbaek.
The final for 4-year-olds was judged by Jacques van Daele, Kurt Christensen and Bjarne Nielsen.
Gold medal mare at correct training level
Gold medal mare Holballes Deeba by De Noir x Resident (bred by Bianca & Carsten Jefsen) was one of the best dressage mares at the Danish Warmblood Elite Show two years ago. In Odense the chestnut mare displayed her supple and uphill movements along with great rideability which lead to a total of 8.66 points and the champion title. Holballes Deeba was ridden by Michael Groenne Christensen who was praised by international judge Peter Holler for the correct training level of the horse.
With 8.5 the former Elite Foal Auction price highlight, Moellegaardens Pas Partout by Don Primero x Boegelys Camaro (bred by Lone Christiansen), ridden by Andreas Helgstrand, became second best Danish Warmblood horse ahead of “Dressage Mare of the Year 2010” Sirikit by Blue Hors Hotline x Blue Hors Don Schufro (bred by Peter Christensen). This gold medal mare and world championships contestant scored 8.22 under the saddle of John Hvalsoe Saul.
The finals for both 5- and 6-year-olds were judged by Peter Holler, Susanne Baarup and Bjarne Nielsen. The 6-year-old crowd favourite Samba King by Sandro King x Lancet (bred by R. Hagenaars) was perfectly presented by Jim Rasmussen and scored 9.20 for trot and 9 for rideability which was enough to secure the champion title at a total score of 8.84.
Second best placed Danish
Warmblood horse with 8.32 points was Atterupgaards Final Kiss by French Kiss x Diamond (bred by Atterupgaard) ridden by Jens Soendergaard. The double world championships contestant N.O.H.’s Daijoubou by Daddy Cool x Picandt (bred by Stutteri N.O.H.) scored 8.24 under the saddle of Anna Blomgren and was third best Danish Warmblood horse in the final for 6-year-olds.