After reading much in the news about a wintry blast in typically sunny London, I prepared myself for my first visit to the 2014 CDI-W London -- aka Olympia -- as if I was heading off on a trek in the Antarctic. Packed up with woollen socks and some extra woollen socks, I arrived in the British capital to the pleasant surprise that it was not so cold there after all.
A very welcome mild front had hit and I was able to walk down Hammersmith Road toward the Olympia stadium without rolling myself into a frozen ball. The stadium was amazing and truly a grand setting for the London Horse show. I was equally impressed with the very well organised and helpful ground staff. I had heard it really was a great celebration and with the christmas theme it really did make for one hell of a christmas party.
The shopping was like a maze and not being an avid shopper myself I took one look down at it from the upper level and realised that without a map I dare not enter, foreseeing the very real risk of spending the entire show in a lost loop of chaps and hand bags.
First up for me was the launch of O-judge Mariette Withages' newly released book, "There is a Horse in My Kitchen." Her book is a truly interested concept that combines horses and history, with the judge's love of cooking. I'm not a huge chef myself and I think that a microwave and a toaster are a fully equipped kitchen, but the photos alone in Mariette's book are beautiful and if you do enjoy cooking, or horses, or history, you will certainly be inspired.
The Grand Prix on Tuesday 16 December was a good introduction to what was to come with Charlotte making another record breaking Grand Prix ride. While there were a few hiccups the test was, well, rather on the exceptional side!
Education at Olympia
The masterclass on Wednesday 17 December with Laura Tomlinson (née Bechtolsheimer) and her 10-year old mare Unique was really interesting for me and I found myself thinking, “Oh I’m going to do that when I get home!” She worked mainly on the three quarter line and said her focus was on straightness and controlling the horse with the all important outside rein connection.
After a lovely loose walk and trot warm up, Laura started the lesson in canter, saying that she always starts this mare in canter because it really helps her to loosen through her body. She then did transitions canter-walk, walk-canter, up the three quarter line keeping the canter very short and collected and making sure the mare was on her aids.
Using this work as preparation, she then started to ask for canter pirouettes, on a large circle, again focusing on the control of the outside rein. "I only usually ask for big pirouettes at home,” said Laura, "this way I can keep the control. Once I have the canter collected, I simple turn her around my inside leg with the use of my body." The mare was clearly very relaxed in the big atmosphere, and it was really great to see Laura working with her next big talent.
The Masterclass from WEG team silver medallist Michael Eilberg on the very talented Woodlander Farouche was absolutely worth watching, particularly as Michael’s father Ferdi was on the ground. You could really see that the dressage talent runs through the family.
Kur and Champagne
A personal highlight was meeting a group of lovely people from the Ernst and Young crew, who had booked the private booth that I was occupying on Tuesday. They popped in to check out their spot for Wednesday night and invited me for a kur champagne the following evening.
As the Kur finale was up next I had with my press pass in one hand, champagne in the other, and I was able to watch the top competitors also from the warm-up arena for some behind the scenes action. Action it certainly was, and watching six Grand Prix combinations weave their way around a 20 x 40 arena would seem tricky enough, but add two giant pillars to the mix and you just about end up with a derby.
Luckily, riders at that level are masters at the look up and weave and I was really impressed with how they managed to warm-up and practice the Grand Prix movements while maintaining their poised attitude.
The highlight was of course Charlotte and Valegro's test. Her Grand Prix was great, but the Kur really was pretty close to perfection. With a score of 94.300% you may think there is not much wiggle room between this and total perfection. I, however, found myself thinking, what else would you have to do to get the 100%? If we are leaving that 5.7% for something better to come, I will be amazed to see it if it does, as one thing is for certain, this is as close to excellence as I can imagine.
Will Charlotte and Valegro slowly creep further and further toward the 100%, or will another pair come along to bridge the gap? Dressage is built on a solid partnership, on harmony, on strength, and on a little bit of magic. So who then will be our next magician?
by Sarah Warne
Related Links
Scores 2014 CDI-W London
Dujardin and Valegro Set 2014 CDI-W London Alight with a Double of World Records