People have posted several links to Laura Graves & Verdades, a USA pair 
See above.
Many deserved claps for CdJ and Vallegro, but MANY kudos to Carl Hester for not selling Vallegro after the London Olympics (yes, he only owns 1/2, but I am guessing that his 50% is actually more like 51% when it comes down to the big decisions).
AND many kudoās to him for realizing that CdJ and Vallegro were a special pair way back when neither of them were big names, and not taking over the ride on Vallegro when it was his option to do so.
[From earlier videos I saw, CdJ was a working student when she started training this young, talented horse. Many working students (in all disciplines that I have seen) do the initial training, but the person they are working for often takes over when it becomes obvious that the horse has honest GP potential.]
The dressage world would have lost out on seeing this magic had Carl taken either of these 2 options.
Sorry I went AWOL, it was post or drink Champagne. And, you know, love yāall but Champagne won.
It truly was one of the best afternoons ever :sadsmile:
[QUOTE=TemJeito;7737972]
People have posted several links to Laura Graves & Verdades, a USA pair See above.[/QUOTE]
But not the WEG freestyle. The only video I can find of it is not an official video, and they look like a dot in the distance. Canāt tell anything from it.
Thank you Crockpot!!! Is it true that she just learned this freestyle not too long ago? Wait until they can produce music to the horse and then a freestyle to the music. How is it that these two were so under the radar until now? Iām a H/J person, but I look through all the disciplines in the Chronicle when it comes. I do not remember reading about this pair until this summer.
Does anyone have a link to the medal ceremony? Iād love to see it!
I found a link to watch Damon Hill, but cannot find Legolas. Link please!!
[QUOTE=Berry0317;7738162]
Thank you Crockpot!!! Is it true that she just learned this freestyle not too long ago? Wait until they can produce music to the horse and then a freestyle to the music. How is it that these two were so under the radar until now? Iām a H/J person, but I look through all the disciplines in the Chronicle when it comes. I do not remember reading about this pair until this summer.[/QUOTE]
Iām not sure how theyāve flown under the radar, but check out their score history:
http://www.centerlinescores.com/Horse/Details/1084883#filterBy=scores
theyāve made dramatic improvements over the last 6 months
[QUOTE=Berry0317;7738189]
I found a link to watch Damon Hill, but cannot find Legolas. Link please!![/QUOTE]
Do you have the link to his freestyle?
Yes, thank you Crockpot! What a pleasure it is to see this pair, who seem to grow better by leaps and bounds with every ride. Their connection is nothing short of sublime, and ought to inspire some talented, horse-loving musician to compose masterpieces for them!
And so young-- and relaxed. It boggles the mind. (Now I need to go away before I jinx it).
Thank you for posting the videos. Does anyone have any more? Iāve seen Valegrosā, Verdadesā, and Damon Hillās, and I think Verdades was the best.
Of course theyāre all great, but I think Verdades was the best. As pointed out, Valegroās passage doesnāt seem as strong, and his pirouettes are definitely weaker than the others. I thought Verdadesā music was the best. Damon Hillās was a little annoyingāhe was wonderful, though a little weak in keeping the piafffe.
[QUOTE=Crockpot;7738125]
verdades freestyle
http://www.topdressage.tv/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=190&t=8563[/QUOTE]
Lovely! Laura must be thrilled with that performance.
Well done both of you! :yes: Congratulations Laura, and Verdades!
A view from the cheap seats:
As a lowly AA who isnāt even riding now and never rode beyond 2nd, I am thrilled to see rides that inspire me! It seems from the replays of the top riders that there are more harmonious rides with nearly invisible aids and horses looking powerful yet relaxed. Stuff that to the more casual horseperson looks great (well to this horseperson, anyway)
For a time it seemed that the horse/riders who topped the field did not look harmonious. There seemed to be more yanking and very visible leg aids. The horses did not display as much relaxation and looked forced and held in. And I saw that expanding even to the local upper-level riders. To add to it, there were concerns over the methods used in warm ups and some ugly pictures circulating. And for riders like me, it was difficult to aspire to upper-level training when it appeared that way. I did not quite join the too-classical-to-compete crowd, but I was discouraged.
So from my limited view, I am just happy to see some lovely combinations achieving in a way that I can at least daydream about! :winkgrin:
Oh my, Verdadesā freestyle is wonderful. She is a rising star for sure. And I share the thoughts that have been expressed about how harmonious the horse and rider pairs are; it makes the freestyle a delight to watch.
Just watched the Verdades freestyle. It was LOVELY!
I think she said this was the first time sheād ever ridden it in competition, which makes it even more amazing.
