The Nationscup at the 2019 European Championship began on Monday, 19.08., with a Grand Prix. Russia was second starter and Tatiana second starter, so started on Monday in the second group at 12:20.
Concentrated Riding before the Grand Prix.
The weather developed optimally. On Monday morning the sun came through, the great showing ground glowed pleasantly and the temperatures remained pleasantly moderate. The atmosphere in the Russian team was excellent, not least due to the comfortable accommodation, the dinners together, a careful team management and the joint preparations in the stable.
Tatiana's and Dia's performance developed successfully. Already when riding in the arena, it was noticed that the couple wanted to achieve something. The trotting tour was approached powerfully. In the strong trot there was a 7.5. As always, the extended walk was extraordinary and almost all challenges are also reached in the gallop tour. The flying changes were not a problem. Only with the first pirouette did there seemed to be a lack of strength. The transition into the assembled gallop did not succeed cleanly. Overall a very satisfactory performance, which one could not expect after the injury and the training break. Accordingly, the rider was happy after the test. The result was just under 70 percent. This is probably not the next round, the Grand Prix Special. However, this was not expected.
The last weeks before the European Championship were exciting. In Cappeln, Diavolessa had not passed the Vetcheck, which came as a surprise at first. There was no previous irregularity. Even the impression of the hoof showed no reactions. A few days later, however, the hoof ulcer burst and the cause of the problem was finally clear. It was not clear how long it would take to heal the ulcer. This could take a few days, but if things went badly, even weeks. Luckily, it went faster. A week before the start of the European Championships, Dia ran again without complaints, an irregularity was not visible. So go to Rotterdam.
Harmonized very well in Rotterdam, Dia and Tatiana
Of course, the training backlog could not be made up. Although Dia is now an experienced Grand Prix horse who knows the lessons of the highest class and knows well. But the devil is also in the detail here. At the training on the Sunday before the exam, the flying changes did not work out at first. First diagonal: after 10 changes it was over. The four legs got tangled. Once again. This time, after only six changes, everything was over. What was going on? "I couldn't practice a change in the short preparation time. I thought they were safe!" Tatiana was visibly surprised. What will it be tomorrow?
