“I can imagine you had a great feeling in the saddle today, we also had a great feeling watching you two”, said commentating judge Ulrike Nivelle right after the test of the Hanoverian world champion. Five 9+ marks resulted in an overall score of 84.13%. The German combination received a 9.5 for walk, submission and perspective. “Life Time FRH is very focused on his rider, they had a soft contact and performed the test harmoniously. It is an appealing horse with a beautiful frame and a correct education.”

Showman

“He was amazing, it was an incredible feeling, and he tried his heart out. He is very consistent in the test, I can always rely on him”, beams Charlott-Marie with pride after her lap of honour. “He is a true showman in the arena, but overall very relaxed. He is unreal.” It was the third time in Ermelo and the first medal for the German combination. “He has developed so much strength and has grown more confident, he now wants to show off his capabilities.” His breeder Johan Hesselink also had faith in Lifetime: “I secretly expected he would win a medal after his victory in the qualification. We watched that one via the livestream. To be here today and see him win gold, is very special. We still have his dam, whom we bought as a foal at an auction, and also some offspring out of this lineage. So who knows what de future may bring.”

Perfect trot

The silver medalist of the six-year-old horses in 2023 and the five-year-old horses in 2022, Vitalis FRH, once again descended on Ermelo this year to claim top honours. Receiving a 10 for his trot and a 9.5 for the canter and perspective, the German duo provided some fierce competition for the world champion. “We adore his trot, ample bend in the hindleg, a nice rhythm, beautiful frame and so much fluidity and balance. When it all exudes harmony, you deserve a 10”, stated Ulrike Nivelle. “Vitalos can easily collect on his hind leg and was presented in a lovely frame. He is a very expressive and light-footed horse.” The final score was 83.22%. “He was so much better than Friday, I am super happy”, says Leone Richter. The Hanoverian stallion is berd by Josef Bramlage and owned by Hengsthaltung Helgstrand/Schockemöhle.

Good ears

The Dutch Glock’s Massimo and Hans Peter Minderhoud stormed up the ranking compared to their achievement last year when the combination placed fifteenth in the final for six-year-old horses. The duo showcased their growth through a 9.3 for perspective, 9.2 for walk and overall score of 80.99%. “Well done today, Massimo is a very elegant and light-footed horse, expressive and brimming with potential”, commenced Ulrike Nivelle her commentary. Hans Peter knows the full potential of the KWPN-bred stallion of Glock HPC NL B.V., bred by M. van Cortenberghe. “Massimo is an incredibly sweet and good horse, but quite sensitive to sounds. The prize giving ceremony on Friday was a bit much for him, so it was more difficult for me to get him relaxed in the arena today. Nevertheless, I was very pleased with our test because we made no mistakes. I am very happy with our bronze medal, as Massimo always does his best for me.”

Photo: Stefan Lafrentz