The World Breeding Championships for Young Horses continue in Verden. Following yesterday's sensation—Charlotte Dujardin's Secret Agent—this Saturday was highlighted by the 6-year-old final, which was won by Dannebrog.

Winners of the Preliminary test, Betina Jaeger and Faustino G could easily have seen the gold slip through their fingers. Highly elastic, fluid, and active at the trot, and performing walk half-pirouettes that were clearly superior to those of many other competitors, the son of Farrell was nonetheless ridden very cautiously during the flying changes—and indeed showed some resistance during the final one. He still secured a 9.7 for the trot, a 9.5 for the walk (though the shoulder freedom could have warranted a higher score than the 8.7 awarded), an 8.8 for the canter, and 8.8 for submission and 9.5 for general impression, resulting in an average of 91%.

A well-rounded performer without being flashy, Dizzy—ridden by Finland’s Merita Hagren for Andreas Helgstrand—secured the silver medal for Denmark. The chestnut mare, whose neck is perhaps a bit short, stood out for her unwavering activity, consistency, and serious attitude. The judges highlighted the quality of her walk and her shoulder freedom with a score of 9.5. The daughter of Hesselhøj Donkey Boy also earned an 8.5 for the trot, 8.3 for the canter, 8.8 for submission, and 9.0 for general impression, yielding an average of 88.200%.

Italy’s Beatrice Arturi had every reason to be all smiles at the end of her test with Sir Gribaldi. The stallion, by Secret out of All Inclusive, took the provisional lead. Praised for the activity of his canter, the Hanoverian became slightly difficult for his rider to control during the walk half-pirouette to the right but displayed particularly easy and fluid flying changes. The judges awarded them scores of 8.2 for the trot, 8.8 for the walk and canter, and 8.7 for both submission and general impression, resulting in an average of 86.400%. In third place, we find Germany's Linda Weiss and Viva Diamond. Looking a bit tense, the daughter of Vitalis showed some signs of restlessness at times. Possessing a high-quality walk—expansive and fluid—the bay mare earned an excellent score of 9. Showing slightly more tension in the canter and during the flying changes, she was noted by the judges for a lack of consistent self-carriage, resulting in a score of 8.2 for that gait. She also received an 8.2 for the trot, 8.7 for submission, and 8.8 for future potential, yielding an overall average of 85.800%.

Isabell Werth and V Power did not make the podium at this championship, finishing in sixth place. Despite his exceptional canter quality and clear potential, the son of Viva Gold got behind the German rider's leg, struggling through two difficult canter half-pirouettes and a very, very labored transition into the canter. The judges noted a loss of rhythm in the walk—awarding a 6.8, one of the lowest scores of the final for this gait—but rewarded him with a 9.5 for the trot, 9.3 for the canter, 7.6 for submission, and 8.6 for perspective, resulting in an average score of 83.600%.

Full results HERE

crédit photo : Stephan Lafrentz/Verden YH