Linzi's blog

This week off is starting to get to me a bit. Back in work Saturday and starting to look forwards to it slightly. Mainly because I am bored sat at home all day with only daytime TV or internet. Looking into getting another dressage DVD (Last years WEG should be good) so I have something to take my mind off boredom. Some of you who are also reading the book blog may have noticed that there is just a bit too much blood and guts creeping in. Not my fault, honest. It's just that I'm not entirely sure yet whether the main character is on the right side or not. Plenty of twists yet to come in this book. Still not going to say who the father of Saska's daughter is. That's coming in book 2, and the biggest twist of all, to do with Paul himself, is going to be in book 3 (hopefully that will be the last one).  I am starting to really enjoy writing this book and it will only end when I feel that there is nothing more to say. (That could take years)
Have been studying the vid of Matine more closely with my critical eye today. Only ONE real mistake in the whole test. ONE! My God is she going to be tough for Salinero and Warum Nicht to beat this year. Well, that's only going to be in the Kur, really. The Grand Prix will most likely be won by Isobel and Warum Nicht (or Satchmo if she rides him) as will the Grand Prix Special. That's where Anky and Salinero will most likely start to come into their own. The whole competition will be won and lost at the Kur. Anky is the current Queen of the Kur, and will most likely have an amazing programme. Isobel has nerves of steel and will not be fazed by anything, that's her strength. The fact that Warum Nicht is naturally spectacular will not hurt either. Matine and Andreas may probably have the upper hand though. That mare loves her work. She has one of those attitudes that challanges you to "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough" She just dances along in her test without a care in the world, totally in tune with her rider. It's going to be a tough one to call, and I really don't envy the judges who will have to mark those 3 Kurs.

Confused about the title? Let me explain: Chacamo was an absolutely brilliant horse, ridden by Alexandra Simmons De Ridder of Germany. He was equal fourth in the dressage at the Sydney Olympics after the Grand Prix Special, but due to the fact tha teams are only allowed 3 riders in the Kur, He was dropped in favour of Ulla Salgeber and Rusty, who went on to win the Bronze medal. Sadly a couple of years later he passed away. I am not sure if he won a major competition or not, but I remember him for his amazing ability in his extended work and potential in the Passage and Piaffe. The reason I am mentioning this?
I have just seen a horse who, in my mind should be up there at this years European Championships with Warum Nicht. Not Salinero. He is a good horse, but I am still not convinced that his extravagance in Passage and Piaffe is totally natural. No the horse in question, is currently ridden by Andreas Helgstrand of Denmark, and her name is Blue Hors Matine. Grey mare, very hard to miss given the fact that her extended trot resembles Chacamo, and she has the most amazingly naturally cadent piaffe and passage. I watched her WEG Kur for the first time today and am actually sorry that I walked out of the Aachen showground in disgust at their lack of ability to cope with the number of people wanting to watch the class. Yes, there was some youthfull inexperience in places, but for heavens sake, she was only 9 at the time! This year she will be a year older and wiser and as such will be a very formidable opponent. Warum Nicht will also have improved in Anky and Salinero's abscence.
Be very afraid Anky, your time at the top is coming to an end. Warum Nicht and Matine will be very difficult to beat at the European championships.