![Hanna Sofie Clauberg on Dacapo B at the 2024 European Pony Championships :: Photo © Astrid Appels](/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/database-story-thumb/2024-07/24_eyc_clauberg_dacapo_5339.jpg?itok=shhWLixj)
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Germany has taken an early lead in the team competition of the pony division at the 2024 European Dressage Championships for ponies, children and junior riders. Held at Sentower Park in Opglabbeek, the 2024 European Youth Championships bring together a massive field of young competitors, aged 12 to 18, competing for medals in their respective divisions.
The Euros started on Tuesday 23 July with the horse-inspection early in the morning, followed by arena familiarization. While rain showers dampened the spirits a little bit, today, Wednesday 24 July, was blessed with perfect, moderate summer weather. Plenty of sunshine and nice temperatures for the horses and ponies to compete in.
Sentower Park is a huge, modern competition venue boasting much experience in hosting (mainly show jumping) shows, but the cross over to dressage happened seamlessly and all teams were in high spirits for the biggest title fight of the year for dressage riding "kids."
Germany In the Lead
The pony team championship test is being judged by Patricia Wolters (NED), Alban Tissot (FRA), Knut Danzberg (GER), Freddy Leyman (BEL) and Frederico Pinteus (POR).
At the moment they saw the best ride in Germany's Hanna Sofie Clauberg aboard the 7-year old German riding pony stallion Dacapo B (by Dornik B x Golden Dancer), full brother to Italian team pony Derano B (Salome Bartz). Clauberg and her chestnut dun stallion showed trot work in a very steady rhythm and the frame was very consistent with a quiet contact in the mouth both in trot and canter. In walk he got slightly short-long in front before the right pirouette and he did not have the most generous overtrack in the extended walk. Also in some of the simple changes the walk steps could have been articulated more, particularly at C. Overall the picture was very solid but the elasticity in the bending and flexion to the left could be improved. They scored 73.428% which took them provisionally to the top of the leader board at the end of the class at noon time. Clauberg trains with evergreen pony coach Stefanie Meyer-Biss.
Denmark Chasing
Today two daughters of international Danish Grand Prix riders made their team debut at a European Pony Championship. Danish 2018 WEG tea rider Betina Jaeger's daughter Filippa Jaeger Jensen finished second, so far, aboard her beautiful 13-year old palomino stallion Crown Charm of Royal (by Casino Royale K x Monte Christo). The stallion plays a little eye-trick with his neck, appearing broken in the second vertebra (falsche Knick). Overall it would be nice to see the poll more up and the nose out, but young Jaeger rode a solid round on her team premier. The trot work was a tad quick and the pony should cover more ground in the extended walk. The extended canter left was the best one. The balance on the bent lines and voltes was good. The judges particularly liked this pair and rewarded her with a generous 72.143% although their individual marks were between 69.000 and 73.000%
Sweden Impresses
Team debutant Josefine Lindstedt and her 11-year old Dutch bred palomino Falco (by Leuns Veld's Winston x Hagelkruis Valentijn) are capping off an amazing first season at international pony level with a 70.257% score in their first test at their first European Championships. The athletic and spritely Falco particularly earned point in the trot transitions and simple changes. The second walk pirouette was a bit of a challenge. They are seventh provisionally.
Quick Notes
Rather underscored was the ride of Darcey Blaze Marcus aboard the 15-year old KWPN registered and British bred mare Ella (by Caesar x Santano), a full sister to fellow team pony George Clooney B.S. Ella does not have the most streamlined conformation as she stands a bit croup high, but she produced the best trot extensions of the day and overall the silhouette was quiet and peaceful, which is what dressage should look like. The peacocky walk probably tampered with a higher score but the 68.257% felt stingy.
- Text and Photos © Eurodressage (this article expresses Eurodressage's' eye-witness account and opinion about the competition)
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Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024 European Pony, Children, Junior Riders Championships
Scores: 2024 European Pony, Children, Junior Riders Championships