Tuesday, 11 August 2015 European Championships Aachen 2015

Journey perfect, first training perfect, vet check perfect

Lovely, when a championship happens nearby. After just a short trip from GHPC Netherlands to Aachen (GER), GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P. and GLOCK’s Johnson TN, under the care of Team GLOCK, arrive safely in Aachen’s Soers. Vanessa immediately rolls out the red carpet for ‘her Fritsie’ and, together with the other carers, confers that typical ‘Dutch style’ on the stall.

The first training is also on today’s programme and ‘Fritsie’ and ‘Johnny’ put on a splendid show.

Today Tuesday (11/08) is vet check day. Anna and Vanessa have ‘Fritsie’ and ‘Johnny’ really gleaming, their manes plaited and their harnesses polished. Hans Peter and Edward and their fellow team members are in their dark blue suits. The orange-coloured ties and trainers stand out rather impertinently. Time for the off, and all horses are ‘fit to compete’.

Hans Peter already trained his magnificent KWPN stallion GLOCK’s Johnson TN early in the morning under the watchful eye of GLOCK Trainer Nicole Werner. This mighty bay horse is brimming with motivation and Hans Peter praises him after the successful exercises. At midday it’s the turn of Edward and GLOCK’s Undercover N.O.P.. The piaffes show motivation, the passages are wonderfully rhythmic and the pirouettes spot on. “Enough for today” says Edward with a pat on keen ‘Fritsie’s’ neck and rides him to the cool stall. After a cooling shower, today’s programme for the horses consists merely of walking and grazing.

The riders, on the other hand, join the entire team for an evening at the grand opening ceremony in a packed Aachen stadium. Truly a spectacle of nations, horses, colours and so many spectators! The European Championships 2015 have now officially started.

European Championship dressage programme:

Wednesday, 12/08/2015
09:30am – 05:50pm: Lambertz Prize Grand Prix
Team Final and Individual Qualifier - Part 1
 
Thursday, 13/08/2015
11:00am – 07:40pm: Lambertz Prize Grand Prix
Team Final and Individual Qualifier - Part 2
 
Friday, 14/08/2015
Rest day
 
Saturday, 15/08/2015
Meggle Prize
Individual Final Grand Prix Special
 
Sunday, 16/08/2015
Deutsche Bank Prize
Individual Final Grand Prix Freestyle
 
> Start and results lists
> Programme
> Live stream

Edward is ready. About to head off to the vet check. © GHPC

Edward and GLOCK's Undercover N.O.P. on the way to the vet check. © GHPC

Everything OK. Fritsie is fit to compete. © GHPC

Anna checks carefully that 'Johnny' feels fine at the vet check. © GHPC

Fit to compete. GLOCK's Johnson TN and Hans Peter are ready. © GHPC

The Dutch EC team. © GHPC

Fly spray for Fritsie ;-) © GHPC

GLOCK Trainer Nicole gives Edward some training pointers. © GHPC

Edward and GLOCK's Undercover N.O.P. at an easy pace after training. © GHPC

Well done! Nicole and Edward are more than satisfied after a successful training session. © GHPC

The new GLOCK Groom Edward Gal ;-) © GHPC

Vanessa and 'Fritsie' take a walk after wash-down. © GHPC

Nicole and Anna watch Hans Peter and GLOCK's Johnson TN training. © GHPC

Anna and 'Johnny' take a walk after training. © GHPC

'Dressman' Eddie, © GHPC

Nicole nicely relaxed in the team stable. © GHPC

Big love! Eddie and Fritsie. © GHPC