Some bad luck, a lot of joy and: bronze for the team!

Today everybody from coaches to riders to grooms is totally excited. Today really matters; it’s about the first medals in the team evaluation and the question as to whether The Netherlands will be making it to one of the three medal ranks. What is clear is that Germany is aiming for gold. But at least one is allowed to dream of silver or bronze.
 
08:54 am. The time scheduled for Edward to enter the stadium with GLOCK’s Voice and it is this performance to which all preparations today are dedicated. In the warm-up the 12-year-old KWPN stallion showed his best. As if he knew what was at stake. A last patting and stroke on the neck, then the path leads through the tunnel into the stadium. The crowd cheers when the speaker announces Edward and GLOCK’s Voice. Edward has already landed so many champion medals; he came home from the world championships in Kentucky in 2010 with three gold medals and the audience honours this.
 
The first notes of the Grand Prix music resound. GLOCK’s Voice trots with ease, shows secure passages and moves toward a 7.8. But during the first piaffe something jolts in the beautiful stallion. “He must have seen something”, says Edward later, “and I lost him for a brief instant.” He reacts quickly and captures “Voici’s” attention immediately, but “the entire test was not the way it could have been.” 72.424 % was the judges’ result for the Grand Prix, but Edward shows sportsmanship. “This is what our sport is like. We are working in a team with living beings. Horses too can be overwhelmed by such a large stadium and so many people. For “Voici” it was rather exciting today, so it may well have happened that he focused more on the environment than on me. This is what I felt today. I lost him during the first piaffe, then we reconnected and I thought ‘great’! But then I lost him again. I knew that he wouldn’t be able to score as high as Fritsie at that point, but a significantly higher mark would indeed have been possible. Now all the pressure is on Adelinde. Of course we would all like to go home with a medal.”
 
GLOCK’s Voice doesn’t notice the commotion. While Edward is interviewed in Dutch, English and German by the numerous journalists, talking to microphones and smiling into cameras, Voice has long been taken to the stable by Vanessa. “It’s a shame”, she says, whilst she lovingly wipes “Voici’s” face, “but I am certainly still equally proud of Eddie and GLOCK’s Voice!”
 
2:39 pm. The whole team is present when Adelinde Cornelissen enters with Jerich Parzival N.O.P.as the last starter for her country. There’s tension in the air. Who will be making the race for the medals? The two showed a convincing performance with 79.629% and that’s fantastic! Now it was waiting time. Waiting to see the performances of the remaining last starters who, in the fight for medals, gave their best.

But then finally it was decided: In this world championship, The Netherlands won the bronze medal and this was celebrated with resounding applause at the awards ceremony. GLOCK’s Johnson and GLOCK’s Voice remained rather relaxed. At their sides some familiar faces: Anna and Vanessa looked after them whilst Hans Peter and Edward climbed onto the podium. Now World Championship bronze is shining from their chests. Then a round of honour and now off home to the team stables and to a well-deserved evening rest. What a day full of emotions and suspense and what a fantastic ending!

GLOCK rider Edward Gal and GLOCK's Voice in the World Championship Grand Prix. © Arnd Bronkhorst

What a fantastic audience here in Caen! © Arnd Bronkhorst

Big media crowd in the "mixed zone" after Edward’s performance. © Arnd Bronkhorst

All the journalists were keen to know how things worked out for Edward and what the chances for the team were at that point. © Ruth Büchlmann / GHPC

On the way back from the stadium with team coach Wim Ernes. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

Edward joking with the German coach Johnny Hilberath. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

GLOCK groom Anna preparing GLOCK's Johnson for the training. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

And off! Now for some practice for tomorrow’s Grand Prix Special. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

Forget German-Dutch competition! Hans Peter with GLOCK's Johnson having a lovely chat with German coach Johnny Hilberath. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

Team life in orange. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

Power nap for GLOCK's Johnson. © GHPC

Happy! Hans Peter and Edward with Charlotte Dujardin and championship mascot Norman. © Ruth Buechlmann / GHPC

Hurray! Bronze for the Dutch dressage team! Diederick van Silfhout, GLOCK rider Hans Peter Minderhoud, GLOCK rider Edward Gal, Adelinde Cornelissen and Coach Wim Ernes. © Arnd Bronkhorst