So was there another horse who should have got the gold? Yes, San Remo. The quality of San Remo's paces are much better than Uzzo's but San Remo lacked some sparkle, while Uzzo danced energetically through the ring.
British native, German married Susan Draper-Pape rode San Remo, an Oldenburg stallion by Sandro Hit x Donnerhall, to the bronze medal. Bred by Gerlinde and Gernot Reinhardt and purchased as a foal by Susan's husband Ingo Pape, San Remo is a gorgeous black stallion who was presented in the most fanastic classical, harmonious and relaxed way of all horses, but with a bit more oomph in the ride, they would have got the gold for sure.
In the first round, San Remo moved fluently, balanced, rhythmically and relaxed in the trot The second extended trot could have been more expressive with more overtrack. The walk was outstanding with a clear rhythm and two to three hooves overtrack. The canter was engaged and through but sometimes San Remo could have been more uphill. Draper forgot to ride the half circle in rising trot which cost her 0.2 points in her overall score. 8.12 placed her seventh in the first round.
In the finals the trot was elastic, harmonious and well carried. The walk was fantastic with excellent overstep, the canter was delightful with superb canter/walk transitions and extensions. The second counter canter was more balanced than the first one.
The judges praised San Remo for his harmony and his natural, unforced way of moving. They scored him 8.3 for trot, 8.2 for canter, 8.7 for walk, 8.6 for submissiveness and 8.7 for general impression. Overall he got 8.5. San Remo could easily have got a 9 for his walk or canter, which would have made him a deserved winner of the 5-year old divisions. Would've, could've, should've...
Text and Photos © Astrid Appels
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