Wow, now that was a masterclass in magic! 🪄 | FEI Dressage World Cup 2022/23 Neumünster

In only their second ever international competition together Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter set the arena alight at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ of Neumünster, recording a scorching personal best score of 86.060% to claim victory! 🔥🏆
They truly are the ‘Danish dream team’! 🇩🇰🙌🏻
#PursuitOfPerfection
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[@DianeLee999]

What I see is a happy horse with a relaxed tail, which was one of Valegro’s appealing traits. A slight head tilt and creeping behind the vertical at times are the only faults in a very relaxed and strong presentation. How lovely to see the harmony in this pair. 💜🇺🇸

[@Warrior_of_Symbolica]

One of very few horses ridden correctly nowadays. Very pleasing to watch. Some dips behind the vertical here and there and would've loved to see a bit more ground cover during the extended trot, but otherwise a happy horse doing the absolute most for his partner. Well deserved!

[@elkefaber8873]

Who has the Zepter is the Queen 👑 What a strong horse she managed to ride on point , perfect in collected work and brave in extended parts. Wonderful music. 🎶

[@galechaleff8717]

Anyone remember Blue Hors Matinee? Loved to watch that horse. So sad they lost her.

[@laurajbrooks4530]

Who could possibly forget Matinee and Andre's Hip Hop Dressage? She was poetry in motion! Nice to see Blue Hors Farms has another possible star on the rise with this pair. Gale, thanks for mentioning Matinee. Losing the great ones as Matinee had been is always beyond tragic! Her talents will not be equaled any time in the near future, or another as beloved as she.

[@JulietteJeantyPressler]

Wow 😍 this horse’s way of going really reminds me of Valegro… incredible to see that level of relaxation also…

[@laurentyler4253]

What a beautiful test- so harmonious with lovely balance it looks effortless. A dream!

[@katelist8367]

What great music for dressage and what huge, beautiful horse! Gorgeous!

[@rajeevbhardwaj8514]

Excellent command and control

[@shirleynewman8483]

He seems like one gorgeous, happy horse

[@sharihazlett3774]

Absolutely beautiful. This is dressage

[@jonjonwp]

Impossible to fault. A horse happy in his work and a rider who sits in perfect harmony with him. Zepter reminds me of Mistral Højris.

[@maggiepie8810]

If you're in Denmark and considering what stallion(s) to use this breeding season, Zepter has a half-brother, Blue Hors Zirrus (e Blue Hors Zack-Donnerhall).

[@janethoogervorst2715]

Wow. Beautifull

[@cathyparvin2505]

Just lovely! Lovely calm horse, moving through his back, never behind the vertical. Soft eye and muzzle, still, relaxed and soft tail. Only see this sort of riding and horse with one other rider. What a joy to watch. I think we know who the 2 best dressage riders are in the world now and it’s def not Isabel

[@jenniferlehman326]

As a Level 2 FEI Judge, I wouldn't have marked him any differently. The very few times he was behind the Vertical were so few and were corrected so quickly, I wouldn't have penalized her for that. But a rider who rides continuously behind the Vertical, is now going to be in for quite the shock, as ALL FEI JUDGES will be marking behind the Vertical very harshly. To get them out of the Rolkur position. Which damages the poll, C2, C3 all the way down the neck to the Withers. New rules at all FEI Affiliated shows as of January 1st of this year. Best Regards from a Retired Paramedic, a S&R Dog and Handler Team Trainer and an FEI Level 2 Coach and Judge from Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦

[@iridiumvalkyrie9017]

I hope but doubt that all judges will properly reprimand the use of rolkur to the extent to deter its use by the competitive community.

[@andtrrrot]

Zepter was bred and trained by Andreas Helgstrand who uses rolkur.

[@jenniferlehman326]

@andtrrrot Yes, BUT, Notice the big But? This rider has not CONTINUED riding the horse in the Rolkur position. They have trained that out of the horse. That's why I said I would not have taken points off for the few moments this horse was behind the Vertical. Because the MAJORITY OF THE RIDE was on the Vertical! Best Regards, Jenn. 💖

[@andtrrrot]

@@jenniferlehman326 The horse is 15 yrs. old, previously shown by Kittel, point being: What damage has its rolkur training done?

[@jenniferlehman326]

@andtrrrot A lot! But the fact it ISNT being ridden that way now? This means a lot can be reversed because the horse is still only 15. Chiro, diet, CORRECT EXERCISE, a lot can be corrected. Even with this horse being 15. But had the horse continued to be ridden behind the Vertical, this horse would not have been able to enjoy a retirement without extreme pain. But it isn't being ridden behind the Vertical now! And that's the point I'm making. You can correct the Rolkur. And train the horse out of it, making the horse a better horse and have longevity in a sport or after the sport if the horse is a mare. Because if it's a mare, you can breed her, and there will be no pain anywhere for her. Best Regards, Jenn. 💖🇨🇦

[@sydneybro4571]

Ahh yes, a masterpiece. Such wonderful restriction of the horses ability to swallow. So very beautiful.

[@cordywitt6400]

Enjoyed the ride. 😁

[@HollyJordan15]

What was their score?

[@clararamazaragoza863]

86.060

[@EquuCyn_8]

Balance wow joyfully mesmerizing

[@horsesandhamilton]

First Comment!

[@jandavison7288]

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