Poetry In Motion: Henri Rouste & Kontestro DB Win The Grand Prix Dressage Freestyle In Doha

[@claudia273]

I think this combination is so fascinating. They have me on the edge of my seat. So entertaining. Kontestro is just incredible. There are so many highlights.. those pirouettes, the passage, that incredible line of tempi changes.. it’s interesting how his tempi changes aren’t technically great, but he’s so safe in them. How he uses something they are less great at, to increase the dod.. The floorplan is great, the music is beautiful. And that attitude of him, always giving 100%. A beautiful partnership. I don’t think I’ve seen him open his mouth even once, and his tail is nice and quiet. If henri could get the frame a little more open, it would get close to perfect imo.

[@DressageHub]

Yes! I loved them at the Olympics but he did his homework and is really ready for WEG.

[@janets6474]

I loved your comment!

[@danaadams9165]

Beautiful, amazing and plain super!! Rare to see this level of a horse in a test without EVER opening his mouth throughout the entire routine. You can tell the level of care that went into the training. The horse really loves this and wants to do it for his rider. Spectacular

[@reasondora2712]

This horse is the most amazing athlete , a pure power house . The rider has done a fantastic and sympathetic job regarding his training and production . He would have gone wrong in many riders hands .

[@MissJools11]

How do you know? PROVE IT!!!!

[@mjr8791]

What a proud horse! He enjoys "showing off"! ☺️ His rider should be extremely proud of him too!🤗🥰

[@janets6474]

This guy has awesome transitions! Great combo - soft rider with soft aids. The horse is strong with well-developed muscles. He is uphill and sits deep on his haunches in the piaffe. Canter pirouettes are lovely!!

[@joannefraser-townsend4394]

That was amazing, the half pass into the pirouette was simply brilliant, the horse has it all it.

[@equitime77]

Beautiful! Lovely to watch, the horse was enjoying it too. It was even in time with the music in quite a few places.

[@EquineWisdomInstitute]

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen such an incredible ride. BRAVO!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@randomvielleuse527]

Wow. Finally a horse and rider who don't seem miserable or at odds with each other. Also, that rider actually understands music and rhythm, which most riders sorely fail at! I loved it that they were so often on the beat and that the music seemed more than an "aren't we pretty" accompaniment. I would love to know what people thought of the horse's front legs as viewed from the front. It seemed to me that maybe he was paddling a bit more than seems healthy? I'm ready to be corrected!

[@imherzenfrankfurter7280]

Absolutly amazing, wowowow...spirit and big movements, rider and horse in incredible harmony...my heart make bumm bumm, bumm

[@marialitalo9364]

So very proud of these two ❤️

[@maggiepie8810]

Such an amazing combination.

[@lizbethstringer3583]

A happy horse. Thinking the whole time, not worried. Balanced and uphill. Obviously a partnership and not a dictatorships, as we have seen posted so often at this site. Thank you for sharing this. All is not lost...

[@ineskucharz1990]

Phantastic performance, a rider who gives the aids discretely, horse with wonderful movements. I just loved watching this!

[@george.6556]

Beautiful expressive horse and such a beautiful rider

[@Nina_Rihs]

Just wow 👏👍🏻🤗

[@ineskucharz1990]

I keep watching this phantastic performance, and I´m asking myself if the judges are blind? this is only worth 77 %? that is so ridiculous!!! what else does the horse have to do? I am a fan of Isabel Werth, but if she gets 90%, and Henri Rouste only gets 77%, there is something wrong with dressage judging.

[@debrabolton9372]

What a magnificent horse!

[@yonathonrue583]

looking good Vic!!!

[@amberblyledge7859]

Riding with the seat and not with spurs!

[@musicalfreestyles]

Lovely music 🎵 that compliments the horse 🐴, matches the choreography, fluid, supports the rider thru transitions. Thank Gd no gongs or bells in canter pirouette. Rider stays nicely with his music.

[@marielowndes3442]

I hope you are s nice as the horse is. He deserves be treasured.

[@palcandela]

Hello, do you have any video of Jose Antonio Garcia Mena & Divina Royal at Doha?

[@jonjonwp]

A very honest horse, always doing what he is asked. A little more flowing freedom would be nice.

[@helenakove2]

That was art

[@BagznBirdz]

The name is Ruoste.

[@ElaPe1]

Is this Charlotte Dujardin commenting? Wonderful ride

[@jonjonwp]

No it's not.

[@Lagetzu]

Ruoste, not Rouste 😉

[@mozayidburn9346]

What was his score ?

[@ceriross7545]

Where did this horse place in the competition?

[@xxstarsxx1548]

I just have to say, dressage riders that use spurs, they don’t use their leg..They rely on the spurs, and doesn’t use their legs

[@betsysmall3576]

I think his coach I'd Rien Van der Schaft!

[@Sofiacostadressage]

I like this horse, however I think his backs are blocked, he doesn’t use his backs correctly, his hind legs are really powerful and full of energy but not so engaged, I have seen more relaxed horse with less “brilliant” moves not being recognized…

[@christinecreeney4207]

Are you for real!!!

[@chrizzly8461]

Funny how y'all are on the front lines when any other combination shows 'mechanical movements', but for this combo you are all ok. Wtf

[@chrizzly8461]

Aaaaaaand for the record I love this combination too. You are all just weird about opinions on other riders.

[@claudia273]

Which other riders do you mean? And what do you mean with ‘mechanical movements’? The amount of knee action? His hindleg? Just curious.

[@chrizzly8461]

@@claudia273 the mechanical way of moving. Please check out any other dressagehub video, does not even matter which one.

[@chrizzly8461]

Mechanical, staccato, tiktak, up up up up, you know what I mean. Look at the comment section of literally any other video. Double standards!

[@claudia273]

@@chrizzly8461 I’ve seen most of them, so please be more specific. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone use the word mechanical. And not all comments on all videos are negative.

[@bhanshee123]

and why must and may horses be ridden in competitions with double bridles and spurs ????the horse wouldn't do everything without these aids ????

[@janethill4365]

Abnormal for a horse to perform these actions. Not easy to watch.

[@crystal.matter]

No opening mouths, no swishing tails, nice