Sweden's Per Sandgaard and his Dutch warmblood Charmeur shone brightly at the 2018 CDI Vestfold "Arctic Equestrian Games" in Norway on 19 - 21 February 2018, winning the big tour classes in a modest field of 11 competitors.
The Danish born Grand Prix rider premiered his horse at international Grand Prix level at the 2017 CDI-W Herning last October and Vestfold was his third CDI run.
In a modest field of 11 competitors Sandgaard and the 11-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Charmeur (by Krack C x Gribaldi) won the Grand Prix with 70.174%. He moved on to the Special and was led into the winner's circle after posting a 71.596% score.
Sandgaard told Eurodressage that the warm up before the Grand Prix was a bit tricky, but overall he was very pleased with how his horse coped with the atmosphere in Vestfold.
"Charmeur felt great in the show arena," he said. "However it wasn’t easy in the warm up arena before the Grand Prix. It was in a tent and it was quite windy so everything was moving and making a lot of noise. He got a little stressed/excited so I was very happy that he was so much with me and focused in the show arena after all. Before the Special it was more quiet so it was better preparation. He was better in the piaffe and transitions in the test. Overall he was more relaxed and, therefore, even more with me and the aids, therefore, lighter."
Sandgaard's partnership with Charmeur began seven years ago when Per and his partner Pether acquired the KWPN gelding as a 4-year old.
"We educated him ourselves," Per explained. "In training he has actually no weaknesses. He loves to work and has been a natural talent from day one."
Sandgaard first campaigned Charmeur in 2015 at small tour level and gradually took him to Grand Prix through the medium tour. After the 2015 CDI Malmo Per did not show Charmeur internationally for a full two years to return in Herning. Per has high hopes in Charmeur's development into a solid Grand Prix horse.
"He is a very positive and friendly horse who has been a little green," he said. "So we have actually just been waiting for his break through. He is a horse that we think has potential for really high scores. With more relaxation and less mistakes we think the scores can go up even more."
Per admits that aiming for WEG qualification might be too soon for his mount. "We are maybe a little late to run for WEG, but our plan is to get more show routine and climb in the scores during the season. Next show is Herning. And then we will probably go to Holland (CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland)."
Sandgaard recently hit the news when his collaboration with Swedish junior rider Cornelia Pettersson ended and his second Grand Prix horse Final Cut became available again for Per to ride.
"Final cut will stay with us for while," said Sandgaard. "I will maybe show him in the small tour. We and the American half owner are in thinking box what to do in the future."
Photo © Celina Ludvigsen
Related Links
Scores 2018 CDI Vestfold
Partnership Between Petterson and Final Cut Comes to an End
Per Sandgaard Goes Swedish and Gets New Horse
Heart to Heart with Per Sandgaard