Hana Vasaryova of the Czech Republic went the distance an rounded off her 2016 summer show campaign in Western Europe by competing her string of four horses from young horse level up to small tour at the 4 and 5* CDI Mallorca from 29 September till 10 October 2016. With 18 tests ridden during two weeks of competition, Vasaryova bagged no less than 6 trophies.
"After the World Championship for Young Horses in Ermelo I was still looking in the final part of the season for some high level competition with perfect international judges, in which I could participate both with younger and some older horses," Vasaryova told Eurodressage. "I spoke to Mr. Riexinger who gave me advice and we got the invitation from the organisers to this wonderful event."
Vasaryova brought along the 5-year old Westfalian Santos Dumont (by Sarkozy x De Niro), the 6-year old Oldenburg Silky Moves (by Starnberg x Furst Heinrich), the 7-year old Westfalian Filipa (by Fidertanz x Sandro Hit)) and the 9-year old Oldenburg Rock For Hit (by Rock Forever x Sandro Hit).
"The Mallorca trip was, thanks to the organisers, very calm and not so demanding, even for the horses," said Hana. "Our German vet helped us so we could perfectly prepare the horses for the long journey and ferry. The facilities at Es Fangar are really outstanding so the horses were immediately OK after the ferry transport."
On the first week of competition she won all three preliminary test classes with her three youngsters, while placing second and third with Rock for Hit. On the second week, the youngsters won the preliminary test again, with Filipa coming third twice, while Rock For Hit was the runner up in the Inter I Kur to Music with 70.125%.
The 35-year old Vasaryova runs her own sales and training facility "DS Pelikan" with twenty-two horses 40 kilometers from Prague, Czech Republic. Before that she worked at Hof Kasselmann, trained with Ingo Pape and has also rented a small stable near the Germany border before establishing her own business in the Czech Republic in 2007. Last year Hana began training with Danish Angela Henriksen.
Hana prefers to buy unbroken youngsters and train them from scratch up the levels. "Untouched by anybody I start (and try) to develop them for future sport," said Hana. Her four Mallorca horses are all very different with Santos Dumont being the most laid back one. "He sleeps all the time, also during the training at home," Hana joked. "But as soon as he sees the competition arena he is "pressing the buttons" and showing the abilities." Silky moves is the "intelligent one" while Filipa "was a baby girl for a long time. That is why her nick name is 'small beer' at home. From year to year she is growing into an outstanding, very dynamic lady."
Rock for Hit has been Hana's most challenging ride. "He has been testing all of my patience for some years now," she admitted. "He has very talented paces but a very challenging mind." The 8-year old seems to have come of age. "I believe very strongly in the saying 'big trees grow slow'," Vasaryova added. "This is also my basic philosophy for how I work with all horses in my stable."
For 2017 Vasaryova aims to compete at more international events, especially with her young horses. With at least one horse to ride in pretty much each age category as of 3-year old, Vasaryova enters the international dressage world well prepared.
"Ideally I want to compete at some events with high sport level and with best/very respected international judges," she said. "We made a strategic plan four years ago and we want to fullfil it in some years. I have a perfect team around me and we all go one step at a time, not overspeeding anything."
Photos © Rui Pedro Godinho
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI Mallorca
Scores: 2016 CDI Mallorca
Definite Entries for 2016 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo