World Cup trio in Belgium

The traditional Memorial Eric Wauters runs on its 28th year from 26 to 30 December 2008. A big horsy gathering for lord and farmer has during a quarter of a century developed into one of the absolute leading equestrian events in Europe. The show is also a World Cup qualifier in jumping, dressage and driving. Both Noora and Mikael participates in Mechelen the CSI3* category, with a small possibility to qualify for the World Cup. 

Happy New Year 2009!

Noora jumps with Vasco, Winnie and Quinault, Mikael with Vanity, Tosca's Lena and Skybreaker.

Noora and Mikael in Mechelen

It was after a very short Christmas break the Mechelen show begun. Spending a day and a half home riding horses was the Christmas program for Noora and Mikael after London.

The first CSI3* class went off on the small B-arena, which is a rather unpleasant and difficult venue, with the audience sitting right next to the course. Tosca’s Lena did a decent job, although the distances were not that great for this big gaited horse.  Lena had an unlucky error on the last fence of the first phase, thus did not continue. Noora’s Winnie was very fresh and all over the place in the warm-up. Once on the course the small gelding did better, but was still very tense and didn’t use its back in the jumps. In the second phase horse and rider took two rails, but Noora was not even trying to ride for a time, rather work the horse more relaxed and straight. In the last jumps Winnie was already ok.

In the eve’s main class Mikael and Skybreaker jumped a really nice and fluent clean round, placing 12th in the class against the clock. Mikael and Sky went out really early on the list, unable to foresee the many clear rounds after them. It was still a result all was really pleased with, especially bearing in mind the horse jumped also in London just some days ago. Noora and Vasco made their fourth appearance together, and Noora thought it was sometimes visible. Vasco is easily a little nervous and anxious on the course, something Noora should have kept in mind on the 6-7 line, where Vasco jumped to the left to avoid the wall.. Noora did here a volt to rectify their performance, which was never about riding a fast time. Horse and rider jumped also a clean round, next to several faults for exceeding the allowed.

On Saturday morning Noora and Winnie did a brilliant 1m35 against the clock, with horse and rider finishing 7th. Noora told the horse felt much better than the day before and jumped the course really effortlessly. Mikael riding Tosca’s Lena had to find out the potential mare was not quite clear for the higher pace. The horse did three mistakes, all very typical for inexperienced horses.

In 1m45 Vasco was really quite good and jumped clearly more relaxed than the day before. Noora told and unfortunate mistake on the last firs phase’s last fence was probably due to her own eagerness to turn sharply for the first fence of the second phase. Mikael’s Vanity jumped the same class, but was far from brilliant Vanity we know. Vani did a number of great rounds in London, so it’s quite possible this was all due to muscle soreness. It was soon decided to let the mare rest the remaining classes. In the evening’s Queen’s Cup Noora and Quinault had three rails down and Noora wasn’t too happy about it.

On Sunday morning Noora had a new go with Quino and now riding more determined which was also bringing a good result. It was a really spotless clean round, but unfortunately not giving a placing in the very high-paced class. Noora thought Quino would earned his ribbon, since the stallion really did his very best this time.

In the Grand Prix both riders’ horses jumped clean rounds – Noora and Vasco in were in fact the first horse and rider doing the job. In the jump-off there were a total of 15 horses and riders, so the script promised a very fast time needed for success. Noora and Vasco, only a few classes together, jumped a result entitling to a fabulous 6th placing in their first Grand Prix. Mikael jumped with Sky an equally spotless jump-off a few notches faster and placed just above Noora and Vasco as fifth. It was a historical ending to the year, two placings, next after each other in an international Grand Prix. Both Noora and Mikael were very at ease with both their horses and their riding.

Traditionally Noora and Mikael have enjoyed a short vacation at the end of the year. Also this year (from December 31st to January 5th) the riders give the saddle (and the horses) a deserved short rest before the New Year and season.
Noora and Mikael wish you all the very best of luck and success for 2009 – Happy New Year!

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