Glancing at startlist for this Grand Prix competition, I saw an array of international names, Haddad, Balkenhol, Gal, Koschel, Max-Theurer and Theodorescu just to name a few! It was definately going to be interesting…But as the competitors left the arena one by one it was becoming clear that Laura had a good chance of taking the lead. If only her red headed mount could keep it all together…
Having seen Laura and Alf in the warm up in the morning before the GP, I was very impressed with how relaxed and happy they both looked. In what can be quite a scarey environment, this horse looked right at home. They managed to carry this attitude across to the big arena for both of their tests and were rewarded for their efforts.
With tests that are so accurate, tactful and expressive yet combined with the abundance of power contained in this magnificent horse, they deserved every mark they recieved in both of their tests.
Right - Laura, Alf and their groom.
After her wining performances Laura said "In the Grand Prix I rode my personal best and I had a lot of fun. In the Grand Prix Special, it was not quite so easy for me, but my horse has also gone through great. "
Laura has been dubbed the 'real Classical rider’ amongst the GP riders at the moment. Of course with her attention to detail, constant striving for perfection and the fact that she trains with one of the most respected classical trainers of the Dressage world, it is should be no surprise that all this combined with some briliant horses has made 2009 a massive success for team Bechtolsheimer.
At a time when the morals and direction of the world of dressage are being strongly questioned, debated and deliberated on, it is refreshing to see a young star such as Laura. Laura will no doubt be an inspiration for many, many riders across the globe and she is certainly going to be a hot contender in top level Dressage.