This year, 453 riders with 613 horses from 29 nations have travelled to Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany to compete in the disciplines of showjumping and dressage at Future Champions (10-14 June).
Abby Weel is competing in the CDI Junior division, which has a field of 25 horses – including some of Europe’s strongest combinations. The Australian rider and her relatively new partner, Escapado, delivered a polished international debut that showcased both remarkable composure and enormous potential.
For a partnership still in their early days, to score 69.606% and finish inside the top ten at one of the world’s most competitive Junior dressage competitions is a significant achievement.
Athletic, with plenty of character
Escapado, a striking chestnut gelding by Escamillo out of a Bordeaux 28 mare, is tuning seven years old next month and has recently joined Abby’s team at Helgstrand Dressage in Denmark. Tall, elegant and athletic, he has already made a strong impression on his rider.
“He’s a very athletic horse with plenty of character,” Abby explains. “He has a really generous nature. It’s a wonderful combination of being quiet and confident, yet still sensitive and sensible. I am so lucky to have such a great horse”
While the partnership is still in its infancy, Abby is delighted with the horse’s potential.
“The canter work comes very naturally to him and is easy for me to ride. The trot work is still developing. We’re learning how to find the right balance between collection and power without allowing it to become too elevated. It’s getting better all the time, but we’re still learning together.”
Trip to Hagen
The trip to Hagen began before sunrise at Helgstrand’s base in Denmark. The first obstacle came almost immediately when the two-horse truck suffered a mechanical failure. Plans were quickly changed, and a larger truck was prepared, creating concerns about driver hours and travel logistics. Fortunately, the original truck was repaired in time and the team set off as planned.
Leaving at 9am, they arrived in Hagen at approximately 4pm. However, getting into the venue was another challenge altogether. With hundreds upon hundreds of horses arriving from across Europe, the queue for stable allocation stretched endlessly.
“It took about four hours before we were finally settled into the stables,” Abby laughs. “You just go with the flow and do the best you can.”
Anxious minutes at the trot-up
After a much-needed night’s sleep (and Bratwurst) the next morning brought the veterinary inspection and trot-up. For a brief moment, disaster seemed possible when officials were unable to find either Abby or Escapado on the official entry list.
“I knew we were entered,” Abby said. “I just kept telling them that we were definitely supposed to be here.”
After several anxious minutes and plenty of confusion, the entry was located and Escapado sailed through the trot-up with flying colours.
That afternoon was dedicated to familiarisation training in the main competition arena. Helgstrand’s head trainer, Thomas Sigtenbjerggaard, stopped in on his return journey from the German Dressage Championships in Balve to assist Abby with her final preparations.
The session was conducted in the impressive 20m x 60m competition arena alongside seven or eight other horses. To make matters even more challenging, a huge storm rolled through the venue.
“It was absolutely pouring with rain,” Abby recalls. “Because it was Escapado’s first major international competition, I wasn’t sure how he would cope.”
There was no need to worry. “He was immaculate in every way. An absolute delight. He looked after me to the very best of his ability.”
The lesson focused heavily on developing the trot tour. “We worked a lot on finding the right rhythm and power for the collected work. He is very capable of it; we just need more miles together. The canter work is always easy for him, and he glided through that part of the session.”
Competition time
The following morning it was competition time. “Getting myself organised and preparing for the test, I was excited but definitely nervous,” she admits.
The atmosphere was unlike anything she had previously experienced. Abby is stabled next to horses and riders from Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and many other nations filling the stable complex.
“It is an amazing feeling to be amongst such fabulous riders, horses and teams from all over Europe.”
When it mattered most, Abby delivered. Producing a mistake-free CDI-J Team Test, she guided Escapado to a score of 69.606% in her second CDI-J appearance and the horse’s first-ever international competition.
“I was really pleased with the test,” she says. “I’m very proud to finish ninth. It’s a huge competition and a massive step for a horse attending his first CDI.”
The result becomes even more impressive when considering the quality of the field. The winner, Isabella Struntze Torp and Vestervangs Garson from Denmark, scored 71.636%, while Germany’s Hannah Schmitz and Moosbend’s Rockadera placed second on 71.091%. Third, fourth and fifth all scored over 70%, with sixth through to tenth all just over 69%. Abby’s score of 69.606% placed her ninth in a class where margins between placings were incredibly small.
Scores varied across the five judges, with one judge placing the Australian combination first on 72.879% and another placing them 18th on 66.515%. This was quite a disparity to say the least, but it happens all over the world.
Abby simply focuses on her own horses and her ride and of course watching her video, she is self-critical. On asking her about the judging differences she says it can be disheartening at times, but she doesn’t let it get to her.
“I look at the comments and not only take on board the good marks and comments but also see and take on board the lesser marks and comments, and every test I simply try to keep those thoughts to the fore and try and improve at every test.
Two days of competition still to come
“I will see if I can better my marks tomorrow [Friday, in the CDI-J Individual Test], and all the same, I will enjoy the moment and I love to compete at these competitions, it keeps it real. I used to think it was the most important thing to win. Being here I realise it is the icing on the cake to be on the podium.
“I simply love the challenge of doing my best and am always looking to make fewer mistakes, more accuracy and pushing myself mentally as well. I have the most fabulous horse here, thanks to my family,” says Abby. She adds with a laugh that her mum, Emma, thinks Escapado is actually her horse and just on loan to Abby – as if!
“I recognise the importance of taking the riding and competition seriously, but after that it’s about life and enjoying all the people I get to hang out with,” continues Abby.
Abby has long been recognised as a confident and accurate test rider, and her composure under pressure was once again evident in Hagen. Producing a polished, error-free performance against some of Europe’s best young riders highlights both her own ability and the exciting potential of Escapado.
The result also demonstrates just how competitive international Junior dressage has become. When a score approaching 70% places a rider outside the top eight, it is a clear indication of the exceptional standard of horses and riders gathered at Hagen.
For Abby Weel and Escapado, however, the experience is about much more than a placing. It is another important step in a partnership that is still very much in its early stages, and one that appears to have an exciting future ahead.
Friday, 12 June: CDI-J Individual Test (Abby Weel and Escapado – 9:29am local time / 5.29pm AEST)
Saturday, 13 June: CDI-J Freestyle Test (Draw TBC)
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