Olympia last night

They were 6th and I have to say, one of my favourites.
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He looked fine but a little unsettled in the mouth to be fair. I just love his music which imho really fits the horse's lightweight frame and way of going.
There is a video here but unfortunately it misses of his first halt where there is that lovely little 'ting', (
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don't know how else to describe it!
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) when Jeroen takes off his hat to salute!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ws5QtMdBY&feature=related
 
forester - I don't believe they were being ridden? We didn't see it on TV, but in the background you could just about see the odd horse being trotted about on a lead (ie. not ridden). I assumed this was the 3yo's?

People on here need to remember we weren't all actually there! We only get to see whats on TV!
 
Only one of the stallions was shown in-hand as apparently he had only started being ridden a few weeks ago. I can't remember the ages of the other stallions but I think they were all 4+
 
The only name I can remember is Daddy Cool (and only because Weevil started singing BoneyM in my ear), sorry, am very tired today so my memory is a bit fuzzy.

Had a quick google and found this list -
[ QUOTE ]
Donaugold (Distelzar ex Sokrates) - three-year-old owned by Kilbees Farm Stud who was reserve Champion at the Trakehner stallion grading in 2006 and second in the 2007 30 day Performance Test.


Daddy Cool (Don Davidoff ex Calido) – owned by Paul Schockemohle this five year old son of World Champion Don Davidoff is a double stallion performance test winner and the 2006 Oldenburg Champion.


Beltoni (Belissimo M ex Rubinstein) - a British-bred three-year-old by reserve German champion Belissimo M owned and bred by Kilbees Farm Stud. Winner of 2007 30 day Performance Test.


Diamonit (Diamond Hit ex Santander H) the four-year-old owned by Kilbees Farm Stud was 2007 Oldenburg Champion.


Rosario (Rubinstein ex Castro) - eight year old owned by Kilbees Farm Stud. A winner of the Oldenburg Championship for three successive years.


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It was my first time at Olympia and I absolutelu loved it... took quite a few pictures so if I get around to it (I have flu
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) I'll put them up.

I loved Kyra's Kur, I thought it was lovely and balanced... such a shame she had an error in the one time changed
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I thought up until then she was heading for a similar mark to Anky.

While I know what some of you are saying about the difference in scores, I have to say Salinero was the only horse who had a consistent passage and piaffe, and the height he got off the floor with his hind legs in the piaffe is truly inspirational.

I loved Afrikka, although watching her made me cry because in looks she reminded me so much of Grace
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Personally I agreed with the overall placings but I don't see how Anky deserved almost 10% better than Kyra. Anky's test was very slick though. I think the crowd mostly felt the same too, not the hugest amount of clapping for the "Queen of Dressage" and when she came in during the finale on the mail coach no-one took much notice! I've never been to anything like Olympia before and I wasn't overly "taken" with Anky, don't get me wrong she's a fantastic rider but I much preferred some of the others. Steph Croxford was just fab, both horse and rider visibly enjoyed their test and the crowd's reaction at the end was brilliant. I've seen Carl before and as always love his riding, but Kyra was the one who wowed me - just fantastic.
As for the 3yo stallions, I was horrified. I can't believe the Germans are proud of what they're doing to these lovely horses. I look after a 3yo who was backed this summer, she was a quick learner and was soon off the lead rein and happily trotting about the school listening to her rider but has not in any way been pushed. She's now turned away until April and is enjoying being a baby a little longer while she continues to mature. I couldn't believe those were 3yos trotting round looking like 10yos. When Darcy is still going strong at 20, those beautiful young horses will be long gone. Such a shame. I know Germany is obviously doing something better than we are, but surely that isn't it? Long may we Brits continue to let our horses mature properly (well, on the whole).
 
The 3yo stallions will have done their 30 day performance tests so will have been under saddle all year. We bred to a 3yo thats standing in Germany this year and saw video clips of one of his first (less than 10th) outings under saddle. The rider was in such lovely balance and such a good rider that this baby was working at a better standard than many horses that have been under saddle a year in this country. So I think that has to be borne in mind too.
I wasn't at Olympic so cant comment on how the 3yos there were being ridden
 
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