How do the latest horse withdrawals from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) affect Britain’s team medal chances in the dressage competition? With a full complement of top horses, Germany were untouchable and the Netherlands on course for silver. Britain looked favourites for bronze.
But, with the loss of Totilas (Germany) and both Glock’s Undercover and Kingsley Siro from the Dutch team to injury, how does the landscape look now?
Taking into account the last international grand prix score from each of the four riders on the teams most likely to be in medal contention, this would be the result:
GOLD Germany
Helen Langehanenberg on Damon Hill 81.22%
Isabell Werth on Bella Rose 79.58%
Kristina Sprehe on Desperados 73.96%
(Fabienne D’Agostino 73.2%)
Average of best three 78.253%
SILVER Netherlands
Adelinde Cornelissen on Parzival 80.98%
Hans Peter Minderhoud on Glock’s Johnson 76.68%
Edward Gal on Glock’s Voice 75.78%
(Diederik van Silfhout on Arlando 74.3%)
Average of best three 77.813%
BRONZE Great Britain
Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro 76.9%
Carl Hester on Nip Tuck 74.6%
Michael EIlberg on Half Moon Delphi 74.02%
(Gareth Hughes on DV Stenkjers Nadonna 72.757%)
Average of best three 75.173%
However, taking the average of all combinations’ last three international grand prix scores, the tables turn, but only just.
GOLD Germany
Helen Langehanenberg on Damon Hill 82.75%
Isabell Werth on Bella Rose 79.146%
Kristina Sprehe on Desperados 77.38%
(Fabienne Lütkemeier D’Agostino 75.14%)
Average of best three 79.758%
SILVER Great Britain
Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro 83.283%
Michael Eilberg on Half Moon Delphi 73.675%
Carl Hester on Nip Tuck 72.867%
(Gareth Hughes on DV Stenkjers Nadonna 71.312%)
Average of best three 76.608%
BRONZE Netherlands
Adelinde Cornelissen on Parzival 80.1%
Edward Gal on Glock’s Voice 74.84%
Hans Peter Minderhoud on Glock’s Johnson 74.53%
(Diederik van Silfhout on Arlando 72.84%)
Average of best three 76.49%
So, if Charlotte Dujardin can regain her usual form and the remaining members of the British team can put in good performances, Britain may be able to leave these championships with a silver medal, rather than bronze.
Carl Hester is confident that Nip Tuck’s scores are on the up and his last performance was his best yet with the inexperienced gelding. But, equally, Edward Gal is also known for pulling it out of the bag when it really matters and Glock’s Voice is another talented horse on the up.
One thing’s for sure — this team competition just got a whole lot more exciting. Bring it on.
Bluffers’ guide to dressage at WEG
Horse & Hound explains all you need to know to enjoy the dressage competition at WEG
