Dark Rousseau repeated his feat of Kronenberg in Ermelo today. Ridden by Kim Alting, the Dettori-son danced once more to the highest score of the L-class in the Anemone Horse Trucks Stallion Competition Dressage. Nalegro and Nashville Star battled for the runner-up position, Nalegro eventually coming out on top. 

“A horse with a beautiful silhouette”, Bart Bax started off his commentary. “The walk is spacious and active (8.8). The trot is diligent and light-footed with a good hind leg that could develop more strength in the extensions (8.4). Because of the balance and self-carriage, we award the canter a 9.” The 8.8 for submission and 8.6 for overall impression tallied up to 87.2 points. 

Nalegro in second place

Charlotte Fry could line up second in the prize giving ceremony aboard Nalegro (Painted Black out of Jalegrofleur ster PROK by Negro, bred by J.L. Hanse of Burg-Haamstede and Van Olst Horses) thanks to an 86,8-point score. “A strongly built stallion with a great hind leg use, which causes some difficulties at this age, but his skilled rider knows how to channel it. The walk is active and has good over track, but feels rushed at times, an 8.5. The trot is characterised by its activity and powerful hind leg, an 8.8. The stallion demonstrates plenty of expression and impulsion in the canter. We award both this gait and the overall impression an 8.8. Some tension arose every now and then, which we must reflect in the mark for submsission: an 8.5” the jury stated. 

Elegant Nashville Star grabs third price

A miniscule difference referred Desperados-son Nashville Star (out of Ezrasijgje preliminary keur s.Westpoint, bred by L. Martens & daughter of Zuidveen) to the third place. Dinja van Liere received a final score of 86,4 points. Bart Bax explained: “An elegant stallion! The stallion has an active walk with a great swinging back, a 9. The trot shows great technique and is very active, but the stallions is too eager and rushed at times; an 8.4. The canter is light-footed, with good self-carriage, but the horse could cover more ground in the extensions. The test was harmonious even though the stallion was slightly distracted every now and then.” It resulted in an 8.6 for submission and an 8.7 for overall impression. 

Result

Photo: Digishots