Charmeur, Holland's highest quality horse competing at the 2013 World Young Horse Championships, has been withdrawn from competing in the consolation finals on Saturday morning 10 August 2013. The licensed chestnut stallion is not fit enough for an extra show round.
Emmelie Scholtens and the gorgeous chestnut KWPN licensed stallion Charmeur (by Florencio x Jazz) were hot favourites for the gold medal in the 6-year old division in Verden, but in the preliminary test the sensitive stallion spooked and then resisted heavily to the rider's aid to continue to the test. The stallion spun round and reared heavily on the diagonal, on which he was supposed to execute an extended trot.
Quality-wise Charmeur is an outstanding mover and he was well on his way putting major high scores on the board, but he ended 17th in the ranking with 9.6 for trot, 7.0 for walk, 8.5 for canter, 4.8 for submission and 8.0 for general impression to average 7.58.
In an interview with the Dutch equestrian site Horses.nl, Charmeur's owner Nico Witte said, "after a busy breeding season and all the preparations for the World Championships, and then the World Championships themselves, it maybe has been a bit too much for him. We did give it another try, but think there are issues somewhere in his mouth or back. We're not taking any risks and will closely inspect it at home."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2013 World Young Horse Championships