Last week saw the world’s equestrian media flock to the 2011 CDI Munich to witness the debut of Totilas ‘under new management’ in the CDI Tour. While Ulla Salzegeber took the honours in the prestigious Kur final of the World Dressage Masters, it was Great Britain’s Hiscox Artemis, under the experienced guidance of triple Olympian Richard Davison, who took home the Grand Prix Special trophy together with the 5,400 euro prize fund.
Over the year this combination has graduated from their successful 3-star career into the top league and clock up their first 5-star victory. The Westfalian gelding Hiscox Artemis (by Florestan x Delphi) is a small, but powerful ‘pocket rocket’ with a piaffe to die for. In fact many of his other collected exercises can be of copy-book style. This year the gelding has increased in his strength and has notably achieved a more ground covering, elastic way of moving.
In addition to a couple of 77% scores in the freestyles the past few months, Richard and Artemis have a few creditable 70 -71 % Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special returns to their name - and at a five star that’s not too bad. Davison expressed that he has a feeling there is more to come when the sympathetic Brit was pinned down to find out what has brought about these developments.
“I have been working on developing Artemis’ trot by using many transitions and this, combined with his extra carrying strength, is kicking in. I believe we are now really able to show it in the test." This results of this careful, patient training are reflected in their marks for trot extensions and half passes, which are regularly attracting more 8s these days.
In the Special in Munich it was noticeable how Artemis was really concentrated on his rider, something that has not always been the case. With a laugh Richard explains: “It’s true Artemis has a strong character and we have had a few tests with the odd exciting moment. Some atmospheres have got to him in the past and those have been the tests where I have not been able to ask for enough power, in case I got more than I bargained for! But the more Artemis competes the more he concentrates and in Munich he really turned the corner and was fabulous to ride. Like many good horses he has taken his time to mature but now he has his nose in the right direction and we’re definitely on the right track.”
Richard is not the only one who thinks they are on the right track, as scores increase the judges are aware this is a combination to watch.
Photos © WDM - Selene Scarsi
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI Munich
Photo Report: Hot Rides in Hot Temperatures at 2011 CDI Munich