Video: Edward Gal sets new world record with 90.75% freestyle

OMG went last night what an amazing horse, the whole show was fantastic, got lots of pics and videos
grin.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif
 
I was lucky enough to be there to see the Freestyle to music last night, all of the horses and riders were just fantastic - but watching Edwards display brought a tear to my eye - and the hairs on my neck stood on end. It was absolute perfection. Unbelieveable for a 9yr old - it was incredible - my jaw was on the floor throughout the test!
 
God that horse is amazing. Can't wait until he retires and goes to stud. I def want a Tortilas baby. Better start saving...
 
I watched that on red button last night. Amazing horse. It was the only test the commentators stayed silent for nearly the whole way through! Even my mum was amazed and she had no idea what was a good test and wasnt quite so good but she could pick out that one as the best.
 
Hmm, I'm not so sure. He's undoubtedly an incredibly talented horse, and I'd give my right arm for him, but I much preferred Parzival's test. I'll probably get shot down for this but, to me, Totilas doesn't match front and back, whereas Parzival looks like the finished picture. But hey, what do I know?!
grin.gif
 
Great idea - I'll join! We can have mugs printed (or wine glasses may be more appropriate judging by some of the posts I read on here!!
laugh.gif
)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, I'm not so sure. He's undoubtedly an incredibly talented horse, and I'd give my right arm for him, but I much preferred Parzival's test. I'll probably get shot down for this but, to me, Totilas doesn't match front and back, whereas Parzival looks like the finished picture. But hey, what do I know?!
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Couldnt agree more
smile.gif
Cant stand Totilas's exagerated front movement, it just doesnt do it for me at all, but Parzvial's test was just superb
smile.gif
 
I prefered totalias test, well more than prefered. I was mesmerized through the whole test but me and Rara_2009 have come to the conclusion he is part bred Hackney! lol (admittedly hackney blood has been used in the dutch harness horse so there could be some somewhere!)
 
Thanks Splotchy!
I've seen so many good horses who have done perfectly correct tests placed below horses who have made glaring mistakes (and several who even flashed their tummies at the judge in a lovely if somewhat unnecessary display of airs above the ground) be placed higher up due to their exagerated front leg action. It's so disheartening when this happens, although I am more than happy to admit when I have been beaten by a better horse. What chance have we hobby riders got when it happens right at the top levels?
 
Cupcake fairy and splotchy do I detect sour grapes? I bet if he was on the British team you'd be raving about him!!
I think you'll find he was marked down for his mistakes (walk and 1 time changes) and in 1 of his tests got 4s and 5s for those movements. As I understand it he gets 10s for his piaffe, passage pirouettes etc which you have to admit are outstanding. He would find it difficult for his hind legs to match his front legs in extended trot (he'd do himself a mischief).
As you say what do we know but as the whole dressage world is raving about him they can't all be wrong can they.
When it all comes together for him with more experience I wonder what marks he'll get then.
 
Not sour grapes at all. I said that I thought Parzival was far better, and far more consistent. There is no doubt that he is a great tallent, but in my humble oppinion his test wasn't the best on offer that night...
 
Hmm - personally I am not so keen as to how Edward Gal rides his horses. I think that in some respects the horses neck looked very held in, wooden and incapable of movement. However, since I am a crap rider I can hardly criticise.

What I LOVE about this horse is his absolute willingness to work and his concentration. Would I use him as a breeding stallion - if he passes on his work ethic YES, YES, YES, otherwise probably not unless I had an amazingly compatible mare. For me he is too tall (I think he is 1.75) and his front leg movement does nothing for me. I find it very artificial. I would love to see how this horse moves naturally trotted up as my own personal opinion is that the training has not improved the athleticism of this horse, but has made him look a bit like a hackney and a bit freakish.

I don't necessarily like the way competition dressage is going. I think the demands made of the horses are extreme and although I love to see tests like this one where the horse is giving its all, I feel sorry for all of the rejects out there that have been soured by harsh training techniques and over ambitious riders.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Cupcake fairy and splotchy do I detect sour grapes? I bet if he was on the British team you'd be raving about him!!


[/ QUOTE ]

Errr - no, sorry, I wouldnt
confused.gif
As I said last night in a thread, he moves like an Italian Greyhound whereas Parcival (sp?) moves like a proper greyhound - I dont like such exagerated movement in anything, horse, dog, whatever

Rather an odd assumption to think it is sour grapes BTW
confused.gif
 
I know exactly what C_F and Splotchy mean, and I too hate how people can rave about a horse (at all levels!) that has it all going on in front and NOTHING behind. However I do think Totilas is really flexing behind and has improved hugely recently in this respect.

Not watched Parzival, off to find it now!
smile.gif


I'm just glad Anky is knocked off the top spot, hated her kur, and the bit at the end when she carefully cranks the horse round to the side so she can risk taking a hand off the rein to wave is horrible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top