“It is hard to imagine anyone else getting that same submission from him.” - Anne Gribbons
tall. Look where his leg hits the horse and where Edward’s leg was on the horse. The difference could be a train wreck. Matthias going back to the original trainer, Sjef Janssen, was logical. With a horse at the top of the world, you couldn’t change the whole sys- tem of training.” The relationship between Charlotte and Valegro,
originally purchased as a mount for Charlotte’s train- er Carl Hester, is equally harmonious. “It is hard to imagine anyone else getting that same submission from him,” remarks Anne. “She rides beautifully. She dares to go for it. She lets him turn it all on and still trusts him to come back. He could spring out of her grip, but they have a wonderful relationship and it shows.” Charlotte has earned Olympic gold. Mat- thias has an experienced horse and he has extensive experience with other horses. In addition, he faced the daunting task at Aachen of performing before the home crowd anxious to see where they were in their relationship. “Charlotte was really green when she
Anne
went to the Olympics. But she proved she has the nerve and can pull it off. Matthias has not ‘been there and done that,’” Janet points out. “This could be a lit- tle difference. Both have an amazing support system. Any change with that could tip the scale. But both have mature Grand Prix horses that know their jobs and are capable of world records.” Both riders are essentially the same age with
experience under pressure. But neither is an old fox that knows all the tricks. “They are pretty well matched. That makes for a more fair competition,” Anne remarks.
THE JUDGES’ DILEMMA “If they both have mistake-proof tests, it will be in- credible to see who comes out in front,” says Janet. In the 1960s, a team scoring in the sixtieth percen-
tile could win an Olympic medal. Today, team medal winners are those with scores in the upper seventies with a few in the eighties. “The Grand Prix test is easier. The schaukel (double
reinback movement), the medium canter with the flying change and the walk pirouettes are out. But also the judging philosophy has changed, thanks to [influential and now retired judge] Eric Lette. Before, for example, one mistake in tempis was automatically scored a 4. Eric said we have to give credit for what happened before and after the main part of the movement, and take into account the quality and athleticism of the horse. That changes the scoring. And the horses today are totally different creatures than they were a few years ago.” Anne concurs. “Let’s say both have
nearly flawless tests. The judges will have a hard time deciding. There may be dis-
agreements among them because both horses are strong in different areas. The scores will be high. If the tests are nearly flawless, it wouldn’t be wrong to tie them.” The stands at the dressage arena of the WEG will
certainly be electric with the drama of this showdown. Spectators, both those in France and those at home watching on their computers, will have two amazing and suspenseful performances to enjoy.
Warmbloods Today 15
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