Sunday, 18 May 2014 CDI4*

CDI4* Musical freestyle - Dancing Stars! Edward Gal and GLOCK*s Undercover

This Dressage day could not have been any more beautiful. Just in time for the final tests of Dressage International, the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER was bathed in beautiful sunlight, offering the audience a unique venue framed by snow-covered mountains. This year too, the top-class starting field attracted cohorts of dedicated spectator to probably the most beautiful equestrian sports event in Austria. In the CDI4* Musical freestyle, with 40,000 euros of prize money, around the arena no seat remained unoccupied.

And the audience were presented with dressage sport at the highest level, accompanied by tailored freestyle music, eliciting quite a frisson among the audience. Each of the twelve participating pairings were received with great applause in the arena. After the performances, silent suspense was ended by great cheering from the audience. It seemed that, especially for the last pair, everybody in the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER seemed to hold their breath, listening transfixed to the enchanting sounds of the composition “Secretum Revelatum” and observing the beautiful harmony between GLOCK Rider Edward Gal and his GLOCK's Undercover with fascination.

Indeed words don’t suffice: the performance of the Olympic bronze medal winner, world and European champion, achieved for technical performance top marks of up to 84.500 % and, in the artistic B category, even up to an incredible 91.000 %! Thus Edward Gal completed his mission of "title defence" more than convincingly with a total of 84.875 %. "If the combination of rider and horse works, that’s how it is between me and Undercover. If it does not work, you cannot win. I would like to thank the Glock family for everything they are doing for equestrian sports and, in particular, for us. Because without Ing. Gaston and Kathrin Glock I would not be here today.”, the touching winner’s statement by the GLOCK rider.

With Valentina Truppe (ITA) and Fixdesign Eremo Del Castegno, a Grande Dame of dressage sports came second. She enthused both judges and audience with perky Italian music, one-handed lead changes and flawless lessons. Her evaluation of 79.425 % with sub-scores of up to 86.000 % in the B category gave her a fantastic second place.

Only recently GLOCK's Johnson TN has joined the family of GLOCK horses. He and his rider Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) have known each other for nine years, and this is how long they have been a team in the arena. Today’s great third place in CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle (78.175 %) was the reward for many years of training characterised by mutual trust.

This year’s Dressage International at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER certainly proved how fantastic, intoxicating and fascinating dressage sport is, and it was an ideal finish to four days of Dressage International 2014!

12 CDI4 Grand Prix Freestyle
Test: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle Edition 1999

1. Glock's Undercover - Gal, Edward (NED) 84.875 %
2. Fixdesign Eremo Del Castegno - Truppa, Valentina (ITA) 79.425 %
3. Glock's Johnson TN - Minderhoud, Hans Peter (NED) 78.175 %
4. Grandioso - Martin Docks, Jose Daniel (ESP) 77.475 %
5. Jonstrupgardens Raneur - Seierskilde, Lisbeth (DEN) 73.625 %
6. Thriller - Gevers, Katja (NED) 72.325 %
7. Cappucino XIV - Schärli, Patricia (SUI)70.475 %
8. Le Beau - Jorissen, Philippe (BEL) 70.425 %
9. One Night Stand - Skarsoe, Fie Christine (DEN)69.475 %
10.Orlandus - Van den Brink, Lorraine (NED) 68.950 %
11.Harmonia - Soldi, Ester (ITA) 67.775 %
12.Odame K - Logger-Beers, Petra (NED) 67.075 %
Result

Fate brought them together, the Glock family made it possible and they are returning their thanks with their successes: GLOCK Rider Edward Gal and GLOCK's Undercover. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Eddie and Fritsie, winners of GLOCK's CDI4* Grand Prix freestyle. © Arnd Bronkhorst

Fristie! © Arnd Bronkhorst

Fritsie! © Arnd Bronkhorst

The atmospheric music of Italian rider Valentina Truppe and Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno created a great mood (2nd place). © Arnd Bronkhorst

Score 78.175 %, third place and a great success for GLOCK's Johnson TN and his trainer of many years, GLOCK Rider Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED). © Arnd Bronkhorst