The USA just missed the podium in the Grand Prix that opened the 5-star dressage team competition at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival on Thursday morning. The team finished fourth with a total of 214.283 percent behind third-place Denmark (215.544).
The squad was led by Olympic team member Marcus Orlob on Jane, who did not disappoint as he came in seventh individually (73.326 percent) on Alice Tarjan’s 10-year-old mare.
Although she was excited upon entering the arena, Jane soon paid attention to her work.
As he went down center line, Marcus said, “I was just praying she behaves better than going in. That’s all I was thinking. Once I turned on the first medium trot, she actually was still a little bit tense and looky, but I knew I had the forward drive, then I said, `Okay, I think I’m in a good place.’
“This was a new experience, with the people, with a huge stadium,” he pointed out.
“It was a little bit shocking for me to see her act like this, but usually she’s learning, she’s smart, actually she allows me then to push her each show a little bit more, show a little bit the brilliance she has.
Piaffe and passage are the strongest points of Marcus Orlob’s mount, Jane.
“In general, the piaffe/passage is a highlight…on the last centerline she was really breathing and relaxing. I was happy with her because I could actually finish on a good note.”
What is he hoping comes out of his work before the Olympics?
“I think, honestly, to trust each other more. It’s a brand new relationship…specially with this scary moment in the beginning, I hope that she trusts me more.”
The third score that counted for the U.S. total was Anna Marek’s mark of 69.522 percent on Fire Fly. She was nineteenth of the 34 who finished the test.
Germany topped the standings on 228.173 ahead of the Netherlands (215.674), propelled by a brilliant performance from the eternal Isabell Werth aboard Wendy de Fontaine (76.500), who will also be her Olympic horse.
The German team has yet to be announced, but it obviously is getting a boost with Isabell’s new mount. The mare has never finished lower than second place since Isabell started showing her in February. The horse, previously known as Queenparks Wendy, had been ridden by Andreas Helgstrand until he was ruled off Denmark’s team after a documentary showing training methods at his stables.
Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine in the awards presentation.
This is the year for new high-powered combinations. In addition to Isabell and Marcus, USA team member Endel Ots (the Olympic traveling reserve) also has been riding Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian (eleventh, 71.435) only for this year. The same is true of Adrienne Lyle and Helix, who skipped Aachen to focus on a combo of training and relaxation. (Read the details here).
“I haven’t ridden in an atmosphere like that,” said Endel, who never started in an international Grand Prix before taking over Bohemian, fourth in the Tokyo Olympics with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. Endel consulted with her before his ride as he sought words of wisdom.
“Don’t try too hard,” she advised.
Endel called the stadium experience “really cool and really fun.” He added, “I wanted to do a nice clean, consistent solid ride. It felt great. Each test I learn something new.”
Endel Ots and Zen Elite Equestrian’s Bohemian. (Photo U.S. Equestrian)
Isabell led Germany’s 1-2-3 finish at Aachen, and that was without its world number one rider, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the world number one horse, TSF Dalera BB. But Ingrid Klimke, also known for her eventing prowess, came very close to Isabell, with 76.043 percent on Franzikus FRH. Ingrid’s father, the late and legendary Olympic multi-gold medalist, Reiner Klimke, would be proud.
Frederic Wandres was third (75.630) on Bluetooth Old. As with the glitches that surfaced during his ride in the 4-star Wednesday on Duke of Britain, a mistake in the tempi changes cost him. It would seem that Ingrid and Frederic will be named to the German team after this show, along with Jessica and Isabell.
Britain, fifth on 213.152, was without its strongest players. World Champion Lottie Fry rode her Games mount, Glamourdale, to victory in the 4-star at Aachen Wednesday and had another horse, the 10-year-old Especial in the 5-star, to wind up tenth (71.935). Neither Carl Hester (who is having a documentary made of his life) nor Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s other stars, rode at the German show.
Get team results here
Get individual results of the 5-star Grand Prix by clicking here