Tuesday July 13, 2004

Florencio and FBW French Kiss Win 2004 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses

Text and Photos by Astrid Appels - copyrighted - No Reproduction Allowed

Two Florestan sons, Florencio and FBW French Kiss, were the winners of the 2004 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany, July 9-11, 2004. While FBW French Kiss dazzled the crowds with his beauty, correctness and overall lightness, it was Florencio was rose to stardom with his three extraterrestrial gaits.

Florencio, a Westfalian licensed stallion by Florestan x Weltmeyer, was beautifully presented by the Dutch Hans Peter Minderhoud. In the first round, Florencio was the distinct winner with 9.66 in total, scoring 9.80 for trot and canter and 9.5 for his walk. There was no doubt that this horse would excel in the final round as well.

After his Sunday rider, Judge Jennie Loriston-Clarke commented on the ride, saying, "What a wonderful horse, this is a really exciting combination. We give him 10 for the canter because it's so uphill and with engagement. He gets a 9.7 for the trot and not a 10 because he was a bit too much bent to the left. The walk gets a 9.8 because it shows so much overtrack."

Receiving a standing ovation from the crowds, Minderhoud and Florencio left the ring as heroes of the day.

Florencio is owned by Henk Nijhoff and Eugene Reesink, but right after the show Reesink sold his half to Paul Schockemohle for a monstrous amount of money. Florencio, who bred about 500 mares this year, will still be distributed through stallion station Ludwig Kathmann.