This is what many riders and visitors felt: Montenmedio's Dressage Sunshine Tour has been reborn like a phoenix from the ashes. Sunday's final closure of the 2016 CDI Jerez de la Frontera could not have been more perfect. Carl Hester and Nip Tuck were the winners once again in the ZettaSportMusic Grand Prix Special.
One could hardly do better. It was another exceptional test for the British rider, who performed on Sunday in the ZettaSportMusic Grand Prix Special at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art; there were no seats left around the arena and the spectators’ attention was truly caught by the action they were witnessing.
We are extremely proud of the excellent job done by Topiberian’s sound technician, Francisco Gonzalez, who highlighted the exercises with his music in several tests, almost persuading the audience to believe they were witnessing another Freestyle. Watching the eventual winner perform was somehow touching yesterday morning as we enjoyed the remaining Grand Prix tests, although there was more than one combination that gave an outstanding performance.
Carl Hester, who was awarded an MBE in 2013, yesterday obtained a triple victory and a new personal record with NIP TUCK, as they scored 77.412%, their highest marks ever in a Grand Prix Special. Without wishing to sound repetitive, their effortless, flawless test was full of exceptional moments, while the rhythm and the cadence the pairing showed was set off by the precise riding, and the detail, the bending and the flowing energy in that supple horse turned yesterday’s test into another superb riding lesson.
Carl Hester was, consequently, the winner of the custom-made Freestyle from ZettaSportMusic, the company that came from Russia with love , as the song goes. Last week’s custom-made music winner was Sönke Rothenberger, as each week of the two consecutive CDIs that took place at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art offered the same prize. These have been wonderful shows with great riding, introducing new horses to the arena against a marvellous traditional backdrop, where history and modern times meet and mingle. It has been an attractive setting enjoyed by all dressage lovers. The combination of the sport and the setting is going to be hard to beat, in spite of the attractive venues available. This may well be one of the most interesting options currently on the dressage scene.
In the Grand Prix Special, the overall ranking of this class confirmed what we had already seen and sensed in the Grand Prix as the leaders of the class remained among the top spots or even improved, proving to all that their results were not a one-off, but instead a demonstration of their quality.
Charlotte Dujardin and Barolo (Breitling W x Highlight x Hitchcock) made their debut at the Grand Prix Special and climbed up the positions once again, achieving second place, just behind their teacher. The chestnut shows a lot of potential, as not only is Charlotte Dujardin a great rider, but Barolo is young, only ten years old; it appears that improvement is conceivable and that these two have a bright future ahead of them. Yesterday, they turned heads with their performance and their score of 73.275%. Their only mistake appeared to happen in the two tempi changes. Who knows if a new star has been born in the Spanish sunshine?
The third position in the ranking of the Special with a score of 71.667% was awarded to Gonzalo Carvalho and pure-bred Lusitanian mare Batuta (Quixote x Jandaia x Icaro), though the mare seemed slightly less relaxed than in the GP.
The Davisons took a family trip to Jerez. Gillian and Richard were both highly successful and, curiously, swapped their ranking in the placings, as one day Alfranco took the lead and another day Bubblingh was ahead; whatever the positions, it was a real family affair. They enjoyed the competition very much, while we were privileged to benefit from their company in- and outside the arena. The couple are also true ambassadors of British dressage and the glorious times it is currently experiencing.
There have been a number of Lusitano combinations to delight us at this event, demonstrating the quality of these horses from the Iberian breed. The Grand Prix Special test arena also welcomed another pairing involving a Lusitano horse, in this case presented by María Caetano who was riding Coroado, a young grey stallion owned by Spanish stud farm Yeguada Finca Tineo, and remained constant in sixth position. Besides the grey beautiful stallion, María also shows Fenix de Tineo for them, very successfully.
José Antonio García Mena and Sir Schiwago (Sir Donnerhall x Dajana x Lanciano), were the highest-scoring Spanish combination on Sunday. Above all José Antonio made it look effortless.
Grand Prix U25
Keeping her position on the top step of the podium was Josefine Gyllenswärd, competing with Don Angelo (Danone x Donnerfee x Donnerschwee). Her overall average may not be spectacular, but the young Swedish rider showed time and time again how well trained she is. Just like Carl Hester, she obviously understands the importance of starting off on the right foot, as her eight for initial halt and salute tells us. In addition, the passage of the combination is very cadenced and with a long and very elastic stride. Their huge canter jump must have been a joy to watch not just for the crowds but also for the judges, as they gave her marks in the eights.
Second position was obtained by Gianna Mª Ferró with Luig and behind her, in the third spot, was Barcelona-based Portuguese rider María Julia Vasconcelos E Sá with Asta La Vista (Alabaster x Weltlady x Weltmeyer).
It was a great second week and a great last day, with exceptional rides. The weather had turned nice again, being chilly but sunny, soothing those of us who were quite tired – the evening had lasted until late at night as guests, organisers and participants partook of a delightful flamenco-themed dinner to bid farewell to this fortnight of dressage. Unfortunately, those who danced into the early hours may have had a hard time staying awake without a much-needed, traditional siesta on the last Sunday.
Two wonderful weeks of competition have come to a close. It seems that the dressage sunshine tour has been re-born, a custom we definitely all missed quite a bit here in Spain. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art seems to be the new venue for polishing one’s skills at the beginning of the year. If you are wanting to start your outdoor season a little earlier but do not want to travel too far, maybe you should consider Jerez.
You cannot really go hacking out here – while it is true that Valegro and Wanadoo did it, we all have to agree that they are special. However, there are so many other things to do around the show, and riders and owners can go out wandering on non-competition days. Just across the street, visitors will find some wonderful pata negra ham, as well as other Spanish specialities. Food, good living, atmosphere and culture abound in Jerez at the Royal School.
It must be borne in mind that although this was only the second edition at this venue, it was attended by top names and riders from many nationalities, all competing at this unique event, and attracted lots of spectators: Jerez, or the sherry town as it is sometimes known, is also a town of horses and this could be felt in the mood when walking through the site, as visitors came across horse fans and champions from other equestrian disciplines. The event became a real gathering for the horse world in southern Spain.
At the weekend, visitors, competitors and organisers came together to share a wonderful sweet sherry, the typical oloroso variety, including Charlotte Dujardin; some of the world’s finest dressage riders; the president of the Equestrian Federation of Singapore, Melanie Chew; and breeder, lover and supporter of Spanish horses, Kimberly Boyer. They joined locally-based international riders such as Juan Manuel, Dani, José or Ramon Beca, who is a former Olympic event rider and a breeder of some of the world’s best eventing horses (New Zealand event rider Andrew Nicholson’s Nereo was bred by him). Another Spanish national equestrian champion from a different discipline who was also enjoying the show was none other than Luis Erquicia, the nephew of the great Alvaro Domecq who founded the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. And what unites them all is, undeniably, their passion for the horses.
A group photo with some of the participants in the competition in front of the Recreo Palace. The competition was fortunate enough to have some of the world’s best judges at this event.
Last but not least, we must sincerely thank our Sponsors and Partners who have been part of this event, such as ZettaSportMusic, Dos Lunas Dressage, the Jerez City Council, El Diario de Jerez newspaper, the Jaracar Audi Jerez brand, the Juan Gil wineries, the fantastic Momento Andaluz catering service and the HACE Jerez & Spa amongst others.
We will soon come up to Oliva for a further fortnight of two CDI3* in April. But first of all for now, for this year, it is time to say goodbye, from the CDI3* REAAE Come back again. #VuelveaJerez 2017.
by Katharina Braren for Top Iberian - Photos © Alberto Martinez Bracero
Related Links
Scores 2016 CDI Jerez de la Frontera
The Show Goes on at the 2016 CDI Jerez: Carl Hester Wins ZettaSport Grand Prix
Rothenberger and Cosmo Win Again and Take ZettaSportMusic Grand Prix Special at 2016 CDI Jerez
Dancing in the Rain: Rothenberger and Cosmo Win 2016 CDI Jerez Zetta Sport Music Grand Prix