Belinda and Liberace for U Win Consolation Finals for 6- and 7-Year Olds at 2022 WCYH

- Ermelo press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Astrid Appels

The 6-year old Belinda and the 7-year old Liberace for U became the winners of the two consolation classes that were held at the 2022 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on Saturday 10 September 2022. 

6-YO: Belinda

The day started with the small final for six-year-old horses. The Hanoverian mare Belinda (by Bon Coeur x Royal Blend), bred by Wilfried Putz,  was the best of the rest. Her performance under Germany’s Lena Waldmann secured them a spot in tomorrow’s final after all.

The 28 five-year-olds that had not qualified for the final directly were in the race for one of three tickets to the final. A chance to redeem oneself for the horses that suffered from tension or made some mistakes in the first round, like winner Belinda.

“She was super yesterday, but we had an unfortunate error," said Lena Waldmann after the prize giving ceremony. “She was a bit scared of the judges’ booths and when we were on the diagonal line for the flying changes headed towards the jury, she turned around. Afterwards she felt super again. Today’s test was ridden in the main arena, and I think that ring is slightly easier for the horses because it feels more spacious.”

Eddy de Wolf van Westerrode, chairman of the jury, supports the implementation of a retake for the young horses. “I think this is a great system. Most horses were much more relaxed today and did a lot better than in the qualification”, states Van Westerrode on behalf of the jury squad that awarded Belinda an average score of 8.6. “She was simply more resigned than yesterday and that helped showing off all three gaits.”

The Portuguese bred Hanoverian stallion Zonik Plus (by Zonik x Hoghenstein) of rider/owner Justin Verboomen (BEL) and bred by Dressage Plus received an overall score of 8.43. “This is a very interesting horse," commented Van Westerrode. “Yesterday, we thought he kept his hindquarter and head too high, and the connection was not perfect. Today, we thought it was a lot better. It is a horse you will not easily forget thanks to his quality.”

The third name to make it to the finals is Diploid (by Hesselhoej Donkey Boy x Opaasch 1090), a Swedish Warmblood horse ridden by Vendela Eriksdotter Rubin. The gelding, owned by Stockholm Ridersport AB and bred by Lena Nyström, got 8.36 points from the jury.

7-YO: Liberace for U

Swedish rider Linnea Cöster won the small final for seven-year-old horses aboard her SWB-gelding Liberace for U. The son of Dante Weltino x Underworld xx earned 76.38% for his test, thereby ensuring a starting place in the final. 

“The first three horses are lovely horses that all showed a great test today," said judge Peter Storr. “The winner Liberace for U is a great horse with three good gaits. In the qualification he was too tense. It was getting dark, and the scoreboard was very bright. The horse was scared of it and that cost him some crucial points. In this small final, the horse was clearly more relaxed. I am happy Linnea Cöster has made it to the final, she truly deserves it.”

Liberace for U is owned by Antonia Ax:son Johnson of Lovsta Stuteri.

Linnea was thrilled with the victory. “I am very happy with this victory. It was one of my major goals to qualify for the final. In the qualifying round, the circumstances were difficult. I am happy he was so relaxed today. The trot felt great, in the canter we had a bit too much power, but it was so much better than yesterday. I am looking forward to the final test tomorrow." 

The second to come forward in the prize giving ceremony was German rider Kira Laura Soddemann on Jetset (by Johnson x Beltoni. This Swedish bred Hanoverian moved to 75.53%. “A horse with a lot of quality that in my eyes deserved a place in the final”, explains judge Storr.

Poseidon Majlund, a Danish warmblood offspring by Tailormade Temptation x Solos Landtinus, placed third with 75.24%. “A horse with lots of power in the trot. The walk is very good as well and the canter should show a more swinging back.”

Storr looks forward to the final and emphasizes the competition is wide open. “It promises to be an interesting conclusion. We cannot predict with certainty who will win the title tomorrow. We have got multiple great horses that all have a shot at winning. The combinations that can perform their test flawlessly, will have the best deck of cards. A mistake might cost you a medal.”

- Ermelo press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Astrid Appels

Photos © Astrid Appels  - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED (NO SCREEN SHOTS!)

Eurodressage photographed all riders competing at the 2022 World YH Championships. If you are want to use our photos for social media or prints, email us first.

Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2022 World Championships Young Dressage Horses