Flash

Desperado claims World title in Verden

Desperado is the new FEI World Champion of the five year old dressage horses. The judges dr Vincenzo Truppa (Italy), Sissy Max-Theurer (Austria), Isabelle Judet (France) and dr Dietrich Plewa (Germany) once more showed their preference for the Oldenburg bred son of Dressage Royal, who also was the winner of the qualifying test on Thursday.

Desperado new FEI World Champion of the five year old dressage horses ridden by Nadine Plaster Picture Marjon Hoen dressagedirect

Bronze medalists Silberaster and Helen Langehanenberg Picture Marjon Hoen dressagedirect

The beautiful Oldenburg bred mare Silberaster this time had to settle for bronze. Today the number two of the qualifying test was overtaken by the impressive Trakehner stallion Imperio (Connery x Balfour xx), who scored 8.58, only 0.04 more than Silberaster.

A very happy Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn and her impressive Trakehner stallion Imperio Picture Marjon Hoen dressagedirect

Fourth place was for the great Dutch promise Wynton (Jazz x Matador II), who showed al lot of power and expression, very smoothly ridden
by Madeleine Witte-Vrees  Picture Marjon Hoen dressagedirect

The first Hanoverian came in fifth: Wells Fargo (Welser x Fabriano), ridden by Kathrin Meyer zu Strohen. The winner of the small final took 6th place. Westphalian bred and approved Rock Forever (Rockwell x Landstreicher) impressed once more under the saddle of Oliver Oelrich, but was against the aids in the counter canter.

The public didn’t totally agree with the choice of the judges. After the result of the last horse Silberaster was announced, some boo’s were heard. The beautiful daughter of Sandro Hit, who already was a Bundeschampion, clearly was the favourite of the public.
Owner Ludger Bührmann enables Helen Langehanenberg to ride the mare by breeding her through embryo transfer. Silberaster already has offspring by Fidertanz, De Niro and Rosario.

Nadine Pflaster bought her champion horse Dsperado (Dressage Royal x Rouletto) last year at the Oldenburg auction. “We were very lucky to be able to buy this horse”, Pflaster said. “We trained thoroughly throughout the winter and qualified for the World Championships in Warendorf.”
Anna-Sophie Fiebelkorn had a very special story to tell about the way she got to ride silver medallist Imperio. “I was the riding judge last year at the Trakehner championships, where Imperio became the champion. I immediately gave him a 10! Later, by chance, I was asked to ride him. We qualified in Warendorf, where Imperio was given an 8.6.”

Dr Vincenzo Truppa, president of the judges, was very pleased with the horses in the final. “Obviously we looked for quality in the basic gaits, but equal important was the degree of education. We feel it is crucial that young horses should be schooled in the proper way. This quality particularly is expressed in the harmony between rider and horse.”

By Dirk Willem Rosie

More on the show in Verden on www.verden-turnier.de/