Yesterday, the 85 four-year-old dressage horses competing in the semi-final of the Pavo Cup were judged by Karin Retera and Arie Hamoen. Currently, the Bordeaux daughter Guadeloupe-Beau (ds. Vivaldi) has a strong lead in the interim standings. Bred by Peter Rulkens of Biest Houtakker, the talented mare was very correctly ridden by Kim van der Velden to the top total score of the day: 90 points. Guadeloupe Beau's outstanding individual scores included an 8.5 for the walk, 9's for the trot, canter, and dressage talent; and a 9.5 for harmony. The next best score (88 points) was for Glamour (Charmeur x OO Seven), ridden by young Demy Kurstjens, who earned a 9 for the trot, canter, and dressage talent; and 8.5's for the walk and harmony.

Early this year, this very complete dressage horse won the VSN final and is excelling again here in Ermelo. In third place is the KWPN-approved stallion Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), ridden by Carlos Valerio Caetano. This champion of the 2014 stallion selection impressed the jury with his uphill canter, for which he received a 9. Glamourdale also scored three 8.5's and an 8 for the walk, good for a total of 85 points today. The top 20 horses are invited to the final this Thursday, when they will perform an individual free-test with required movements.