Belgian Thibault Vandenberge and Dutch Joyce Heuitink ruled the two small tour classes held at the FEI Western European League World Cup qualifier in Mechelen, Belgium, on 28 - 29 December 2019.
Vandenberghe Wins PSG on Home Turf
Vandenberghe and the 12-year old Rhinelander gelding Santiago Song (by Sir Donnerhall x Larome) dominated the Prix St Georges, the opening dressage class of the 2019 CDI-W Mechelen on Saturday 28 December. The 30-year old rider rounded off an already highly successful international show season in 2019 with another victory on home turf.
Coached by Carmen De Bondt, Thibault and his dark bay gelding showed very elegant, light footed trot work with good balance in the traversal movements. The horse was impressed by the electric atmosphere in this indoor arena and did not fully relax in the extended walk to achieve sufficient ground cover. Also in the extended trot he could have swung more through the back. The canter tour was very well ridden and the judges rewarded him with a winning 71.588%.
Thibault, who bought Santiago Song as a 3.5 year old in the autumn of 2010 and trained him to FEI level himself, went on to place fourth in the Kur to Music on Saturday with 75.060 %.
Spooky Gaudi Vita Recovers in Kur
They were the favourites for the victory in the Prix St Georges, but a spook on the centerline right after the halt at X caught his rider off guard and made her going off course immediately afterwards. Heuitink then recovered and produced excellent work in trot and canter. Gaudi Vita, who has gained much muscle this year, showed very established tempi changes. Despite two major hiccups, they still scored 69.882% for fourth place in the Prix St. Georges. They set the record straight on Saturday and delivered the winning Intermediaire I kur to music with 78.245 %
Heylen Makes Consistency Counts
Her chestnut Kalagan has a lovely frontleg with knee action in trot and the canter is uphill. Although the trot extensions were a bit hurried, the lateral movements were smooth. The extended walk had good clarity of rhythm but there could have been more overstep. Heylen kept her hands quiet on the withers and the bridle contact was steady, although it would be nice to see the nose a bit more out. As Kalagan has a strong uphill canter, the tempi changes and extension were pleasing to the eye and the pirouettes good with the left one being the better one. The pair has much potential for growth in the future. They scored 70.441% to place third in the Prix St Georges.
On Saturday they reconfirmed their form and were third again with 75.265%.
Related Links
Scores: 2019 CDI-W Mechelen
Scholtens and Desperado Steal the Show in 2019 CDI-W Mechelen Kur to Music
Thibault Vandenberghe and Santiago Song Sweep 2019 CDI Waregem Small Tour
