Monday, 25 August 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

Great practice and what a Grand Prix!

Today Normandy came up with rather cool temperatures and intervals of heavy rainfall. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was great. Today was the first competition day!

Everybody got up early, since Diederick van Silfhout with his Arlando NH N.O.P. had start number six going into the Grand Prix for the Dutch team. Edward and Hans Peter followed the performance of their team colleague with great interest. Would he succeed on this debut? When the ultimate judgement showed 73.414 % on the screen, everybody rejoiced since this was a fantastic start for the team evaluation in these world championships.

“Simply great!”, said a happy Hans Peter, whose starting time with GLOCK’s Johnson was scheduled for 2:16 pm. “This takes some pressure off and is very motivating!” The stallion stayed relaxed despite the excitement in the team. Today he had already been on a walk with GLOCK Groom Anna and was now snoozing happily in his box.

Time for practice for GLOCK’s Voice, who’s turn it is only tomorrow with Edward. “Brrr, cold!”, jokes Edward when, soaked through, he dismounted  his equally wet Voici after practice with GLOCK coach Nicole Werner. “He did a very good job today!” was the praise from Edward for the black stallion, handing him over to GLOCK groom Vanessa, who doesn’t leave her precious charge alone even for a minute.

Steaming coffee helped everybody to warm up and now it was all about focusing on Hans Peter. GLOCK’s Johnson showed his powerful movements in the warm-up arena. Now things were getting serious. The audience’s applause was audible from the stadium and suddenly one could sense the team’s excitement. An orange “team convoy” accompanied Hans Peter and Johnny from the warm-up arena to the stadium. The audience greeted them with thundering applause. Now GLOCK’s Johnson was allowed to show what he had learnt. Under Hans Peter, the stallion danced with great verve through the lessons and toward a top score. 74.357%, was simply fantastic and meant intermediate second place! “I am truly proud of my horse!” was Hans Peter’s comment later to the waiting journalists. “Only since the beginning of this year has he participated at this international level but he has consistently given a good performance. Today he really showed what he has in him. We can do even more, but for now we have a great intermediate evaluation for the team!”

At the stables, coffee and cakes were served. Everybody was sitting together and happy about the fact that the first day had gone so well. Tomorrow morning at 8:45 am the Grand Prix will continue for Edward on GLOCK’s Voice and, at 2:39 pm, when Adelinde Cornelissen enters with Jerich Parzival N.O.P., the decision about the first medals will be coming within reach.

For starting lists, live scores and results go to: www.normandy2014.com