Report from Aachen

Saturday, July 15, 2000 5:15 pm

Here is the latest from Lendon and Jessie:

Hi Everyone, It's almost midnight -- we left the show at about 11:15, just before the awards. Long days...... Fortunately our hotel is just on the other side of Aachen, about 10 minutes away. Our Equifest group has a minivan that Alan and Beth Baumert drive. Mimi Dickerson the group organizer had to go home as her husband is ill. Also Fern Feldman and her husband Barry rented a car so we have had no problems getting to and from the show grounds, which is amazing considering the HUGE numbers of cars parking. This morning we watched the Grand Prix Special for the CDIO. There are two groups of Grand Prix horses. The CDIO is the top level with the best German horses, the second string Dutch and English and some of the top horses from other countries - Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, USA, Switzerland, Russia, and France. The CDI Grand Prix is for the riders' second string horses, green Grand Prix horses (remember it takes a horse usually three years at Grand Prix to peak), and local horses. Some thoughts from this class -- remember you can get results from Dressageunltd.com, Dressagedaily.com, or CHIOAachen.de. The fabulous Rusty shied badly throughout his test. As Ulla went by the A end in the beginning of the test she yelled up at the crowd not to use flashbulbs (during the test!!!!). Carrie Schropf (US) were very nice but definitely not up to par with the others. It was nice to see Nadine Capelmann patting her slightly uptight horse after difficult areas (very subtly). Gigolo and Isabel Werth won their 8th Aachen Grand Prix yesterday! But he is showing his age - 17- a very gallant horse. Jessie thinks Isabel she let her have him as a young rider horse now :) Just before Isabel went into the ring she growled at the crowd to Sit Down, PULLEASE! I am still madly in love with the Spanish Andalusian and Lusitano. They did a fabulous job. The highlight of the day cam during the Lusitano's ride with his VERY good looking rider. While he was passaging in the beginning of the test, I heard a dog barking loudly outside the seats off the end by K. This went on for a bit. then all of a sudden a rabbit darted acroos the C end between the dressage fence and the judges' booths. He was followed quite closely by this barking dog who then snuffled around in the bushes decorating the area by the M judge. After a couple of moments the dog went back the way he had come and shortly came back with a second dog who joined him in sniffing around. The stallion never missed a beat. this distraction was only one of several. Cell phones go off non stop throughout the day. Tonight were the CDI Special and Kur. Some good rides -- a few wonderful Kurs - fabulously choreographed to the music. No super fancy horses, but horses ridden to their potential. A couple of riding observations: It is a delight to see so many Dressage riders with fabulous leg positions -- short enough stirrups so the heel is always lower than the toe. To see Ulla deal with Rusty's shying with carefully ridden little shoulder-ins where he might shy to control it the best she could. I must stop and get to bed. we have an early day tomorrow. Jessie, the Budds, and the Feldman's and I are going to Lanaken, Belgium where there is an international show for ponies, Juniors, and Young Riders. I found out about it this morning from Astrid who hosts the Belgian Young Riders website (it is fabulous). The show was nearly rained out and we can't get any updated info, but it is not far away. Remember the whole diary is on www.dressage4kids.com (part of it is on the message board). Good night all. Lendon