The first three places in the Freestyle at CHIO Rotterdam were the same as the finalists at the World Cup Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in March: Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas being first, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival being the runner up and Imke Schelleekns-Bartels placed third on Hunter Douglas Sunrise. It rained cats and dogs in Rotterdam at the Freestyle night.
Especially when Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas came in it was a wet adventure. “I love to train outside but with one drop of water I always flee inside”, Edward commented afterwards. “Now I could not escape and the amazing thing was that Moorlands Totilas was not affected at all because of the pouring rain. It just felt like the two of us being alone and dancing there, doing our test. Amazing! He even became more relaxed, halted and stood there unaffected by the water, he simply did everything.” The pair was awarded with their fourth score above 90% in history. All judges gave a ten for the final immobile halt.
“This horse is a wonder boy, a miracle”, admiring German rider Monica Theodorescu said, who herself had adjusted her Freestyle a bit to more difficulties.
Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival também executaram a reprise debaixo de chuva. Jerich Parzival spooked for a moment for a camera and for some moving advertisements behind, however Adelinde was very happy. “The mistake in the half pass was my own; I pushed a little too much. And riding on the centerline he was looking again to the camera while I was executing the two tempi changes. I should have calculated that risk and didn’t. I am happy with the control and relaxation I could gain after that”, Adelinde explained.
The best German rider was Christoph Koschel showing Donnperignon. The improvement the pair is making is very promising. Their next important step will be Aachen, just as for the Canadian and other teams (July 13 – 18, 2010).
“The good thing is that for at least over a year we have been riding good tests from the Dutch combinations, without any weaker moments. The basis has been laid. That’s really very nice for a trainer”, Dutch team coach Sjef Janssen said with content.
Janssen added however that this by no means implies that the Dutch dressage sport can lay back. There is still a lot of work to be done in broadening the basis and the helping to develop the level of instruction at the basis. “Other countries are working hard as well. No one is sleeping! Janssen says.