Freese and Total Hope OLD Surf to Double Victory at Rainy 2023 CDI Ermelo

Norwegian Isabel Freese and the Oldenburg licensed stallion Total Hope OLD surfed to a double victory at the rainy CDI 3* competition in Ermelo, The Netherlands, that coincided with the World Young Horse Championships. 

The Grand Prix included a field of 25 international competitors which competed early Saturday morning in the second arena in the backdrop of the main championship stadium. The Special and Freestyle took place on Sunday morning and noon 6 August 2023. Especially the riders in the Kur faced an extra challenge as a major power outage at the venue at the end of the class disrupted the progress of the competition. At the same time the floodgaits had opened and rain poured down, dampening spirits. 

Grand Prix Win for Freese

Freese and Paul Schockemöhle and Lone Boegh Henriksen's black Total Hope OLD (by Totilas x Don Schufro) reigned supreme in the Grand Prix, scoring a winning 74.39%. They edged out Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry on the 3* debutant grey gelding Especial (by. Everdale x Vivaldi) who got  73.04%. The third place went to Spanish rider Borja Carroscosa and Sir Hubert B (by Sir Heinrich x Florestan).

Freese was pleased with her test. “Total Hope was so focused. It has been a while since the last show. We had a few small issues, but overall, he felt great. This is the last competition before the European Championship. For us, it is important to analyse which aspects we must practice further during our training sessions the coming four weeks and gives us an idea how fit he is. It is our dream to qualify for the Grand Prix Special at the EC, so this is our dress rehearsal so to say. Total Hope is happy here in Ermelo. He’s got a super stable, very quiet, great conditions, good footing and an enthusiastic audience."

Chairof the jury Thomas Kessler: “The top three consists of very talented horses. Total Hope and Isabel performed a great test and if the horse were a bit more relaxed, the score could be even higher. We really enjoyed it! Especial and Sir Hubert B are not as experienced yet, but showed us so much potential in this impressive arena. Crowds have flocked to Ermelo this is the perfect learning opportunity for horses and riders.”

Dreaming of the Olympics

Freese also proved unbeatable in the Grand Prix Special with 75.68%. After winning bronze at the 2019 World Young Horse Championships, the pair now collected its second trophy at Grand Prix level of the weekend.  Fry was back in second place with Especial on 72.23%, while Carrscosa placed third with Sir Hubert B with 71.55%.

Chairman of the jury Olivier Smeets praised the consistency in the test of Total Hope OLD. “The stallion is focused on his rider and carries out the movements with a lot of ease. Especial of the seasoned Charlotty Fry shows ample balance in the test despite his age. Borja Carrascosa rode a good test a highlight was the degree of effortlessness he goes through the advanced movements! This was a very competitive class today, and there was a big crowd to cheer on the riders.”

Freese added, “we have not ridden that many Grand Prix Specials yet, but this was the best so far. He felt really good today, even better than yesterday. It was lighter, more relaxed.” Did it feel like the winning ride in the saddle? “Yes, for sure. I started off and thought: Ah, you are listening to me, and he felt so soft and supple. As a rider, you start to enjoy the test. I am super proud of him. I am heading to Riesenbeck with much more confidence. Hopefully we can obtain a good result there, so we’ll have a chance to grab a single ticket to Paris. The Olympic Games is every rider’s dream, and I would love to represent Norway there. It is our big goal!”

Kasprzak and Addict de Massa Win Wet Freestyle

Fresh off the heels of her world title in the 7-year-old championship on Danciero, Anne Kasprzak  stepped forward as winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle on the Luso-warmblood Addict de Massa (by San Armour I x Maestro jgb), owned by her mother Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak.

Anna Kasprzak was the last rider to enter the arena and concluded her weekend with a 76.98% score and another victory. The Spanish rider Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo and his Quartar (by Quantensprung x Laurentino) slotted in second place. The chestnut stallion, bred and owned by the rider, received 75.28% for his test. Belgian Domien Michels and Intermezzo van het Meerdaalhof (by Gribaldi x Balzflug), owned by Marco Steeno, obtained 74.85% in his freestyle.

Towards the end of the ride of Jeanine Nieuwenhuis and Jack Black WW (by Hofrat x Vivaldi) the power went out. She skillfully finished her performance without the music.

Chairman of the jury Maarten van der Heijden “Jeanine was a true professional today. Anna Kasprzak was the last rider today, she had to wait a bit longer. Her freestyle had a high degree of difficulty, but her horse performed it with a lot of ease. This combination earned a lot of points in the piaffe and passage. Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo treated us to an appealing performance with a soft contact and great harmony. Domien Michiels rode a relaxed test with ample harmony and a good choreography. Despite the technical breakdown it was a great freestyle to watch. The riders could really feel the support from the numerous spectators in the arena.”

Kasprzak was on a high. “I am dazed by all the emotions," she said. "First gold in the WC, back to full focus for this test and then the power went out. The ability to adapt to change is important, so today was a perfect opportunity to practice it. This was the first time we rode this freestyle. I wanted a freestyle in which I could have fun and this music makes it feel like a party. And now we can really start our celebrations! I am heading home to Denmark with a fist in the air."

Text © WCYH press release, edited by Eurodressage 

Photos © Eurodressage (this article expresses Eurodressage's' eye-witness account and opinion about the competition).

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