New spectacular horse for Edward Gal (meet Totilas)

[freestyle2music]

During Jumping Amsterdam Edward Gal presented his new mount Moorlandt Totilas in the Intermediate-I competition.

Have a look :

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v3317631WN2bt7bR

[GreekDressageQueen]

Yeah - of course he is nice! Beautiful movement, but what ticks me off is if I rode my horse with that short and tight of a neck I would get mucho points off in the US. I hate the inconsistencies.

[freestyle2music]

Yeah - of course he is nice! Beautiful movement, but what ticks me off is if I rode my horse with that short and tight of a neck I would get mucho points off in the US. I hate the inconsistencies.

I know what you mean , and I even might agree with you on that part (and many others things), however this is what the I- and O-judges (also the US-judges) want to see nowadays. As stated before: a new era in dressage has started. And please don't blame the riders or the horses, because you can only blame the judges. Like Kyra Kyrklund said some months ago : the best combination is the combination which exactly shows what the judges (and public) want to see.

[siegi b.]

WOW!! I'm going to have to breed to Gribaldi one of these days.... :-)

[freestyle2music]

I thought you already did ?

[Miss Dior]

A very nice horse but ....sorry judges ,this is not the kind of dressage that excites me the public any more. It is very satisfying to see his power and possibilites, and of course ,Mr. Gal is a master, but still not a relaxed or pleasant picture to me. I am very over the period of more exciting=better dressage.

[freestyle2music]

A very nice horse but ....sorry judges ,this is not the kind of dressage that excites me the public any more. It is very satisfying to see his power and possibilites, and of course ,Mr. Gal is a master, but still not a relaxed or pleasant picture to me. I am very over the period of more exciting=better dressage.

Me the public is this this the same as We the queen ?

It was obvious that the public raised from their chairs :yes:
and applauded and cheered for minutes.

So let's add these things together; the judges loved it, the crowd loved it, the commentators loved it.
Isn't this what it's all about ?

And yes I have a different opinion, but I might be blinded by the fact that I don't have many horses in our stables who can throw their legs behind their ears, so I have to invest in these new generation of horses.

[Sabine]

Sorry- I absolutely loved it....the gaits- the appearance and the whole package. It's for Edward to mess up.....

[Miss Dior]

I NEVER referred to myself as "the Queen", as your bad manners chose to express it. If I am a member of the dressage audience at large, and yes ,manage to travel internationally from time to time for that specific reason, I am certainly a member of the "general public". What used to get me really excited about this sport, over time has evolved and changed. I still want to see a "wow" horse as well. But my definition personally has changed. Thank you for the video....however not for the twisting of my words or comments.

[canticle]

Yes, this is the style TODAY, but who knows what will be popular 10 years from now. This exhibition-style dressage is definitely "exciting" to watch, but not everyone prefers it. ;)

[canyonoak]

This horse is just brilliant.

And yes, he is a bit overcome by the atmosphere--can see that he is not really settled in the walk, and that in his outline, sometimes using that great stallion neck against the rider.

BUT-- I do not find his outline short, because he stays balanced and very rhythmic and really lovely in the transitions and suppleness work.

Stallions--we used to call those necks "the great black tide" rising up in front of you, hahahaha. When you are sitting behind all that, it can be rather imposing.

Well, here's hoping good management and good luck combine and this pair produce this kind of exciting GP...

[freestyle2music]

Canyon,

Did you get the chance to watch the freestyle of Edward and Totilas (5 minutes ago ?)

and how about the price giving ceremony ?

[RP]

Very expressive gaits, I thought. Sure, the walk and some of the canter seemed tense but this horse will just get better with time and experience. Looks like a very comfortable and fun ride for Gal!

[canyonoak]

yes, I watched the freestyle.

Edward definitely rides 'at the line' when he possibly can! It was just very high-quality throughout. ANd all the little stuff-swingy in the changes--that will go as this horse gets stronger. Funny--I loved his trot work in the Int One and here, in the freestyle, I think I loved the canter work more<g>

and the prizegiving ceremony-- even sitting here at a computer, my heart was in my mouth!

Between the lights and the yelling and the crashing music...I did love that NO ONE was able to hold on to their bouquets<VBEG> even Edward had to ,ah, 'dispose' of his in a corner before zipping around the arena.

But his one-hand passage--wow! Him and Ulf Moeller--they sure know how to ride dem stallions!

[freestyle2music]

This was one of the most inspiring Jumping Amsterdam competitions I ever saw.

And at this (still going on) dressage gala they had more public as during the world cup jumping finals this afternoon.

Did you see the soccer game between the Old Dutch Champion Team and the Equestrian Team ?

And.... did you notice that TOB has already stolen this thread ?

OK I stop teasing you ;)

[angel]

Looking at this performance, you can see that dressage is no longer about the Spanish Riding School. :(

[freestyle2music]

Looking at this performance, you can see that dressage is no longer about the Spanish Riding School. :(

How come that you think it ever was ?

These are and were two complete different things, and have always been two different things.

[canticle]

It's just that some people go around saying how so many horses are "unsuitable" for dressage, just because they aren't the type you see in that video. I think most dressage riders actually prefer "unsuitable" horses and go out of their way to seek them out! It's just a couple of big-name people who like a different type (nothing wrong with that type), so that's why there's so much talk about everything else being "inappropriate" for dressage. If Edward Gal can have fun and be successful with this horse, I don't think anyone should be saying anything to anybody about suitability. ;)

[petitefilly]

Sorry- I absolutely loved it....the gaits- the appearance and the whole package. It's for Edward to mess up.....

The horse is fantastic JMHO. The short neck is rather forced, so I hope the freedom of the front end will not die as Gribaldi's did. :( The horse might have the temperament to stay with Edward, that is yet to see.

[RonaldGroen]

The horse is fantastic JMHO. The short neck is rather forced, so I hope the freedom of the front end will not die as Gribaldi's did. :( The horse might have the temperament to stay with Edward, that is yet to see.

How low can you go ?
Petitefilly don't stay petit but grow up

[kkj]

Thank you for that fabulous video. I wish I was there. I love the horse and Edward does a great job with him.

[freestyle2music]

Thank you for that fabulous video. I wish I was there. I love the horse and Edward does a great job with him.

The whole weekend was fabulous, and Anky has to get used that Edward and Totilas draw all the attention this time.

Next to come : The Freestyle to Music of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas.

[mtngirl]

Is the Freestyle up yet, or am I just missing it?

I liked the horse. Expressive. Overall a nice ride..nice picture. Not perfect, but then, who is? Looks to me like a horse that is progressing well and still improving.

[freestyle2music]

If you can understand Dutch, and like the humor Edward always uses in his clinics, you will notice that Edward is the first to know the limitations of his horse and his own riding.

This clinic was last year may, Totilas was 7 years then.

Just to kill the time until the freestyle is up and running (blame VEOH and YouTube)

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v3322788hPpaBTzt

[mtngirl]

Found it on Veoh (just needed to scroll down further).

Bold to do extended canter down the center line to halt. I'd be happy with a ride like that! Got a little carried away on the exit, but heck, pretty exciting surroundings etc. Just shows you that any horse can feel the charge in the atmosphere!

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

this pair is gorgeous! I love the engine in that horse and well, pretty much everything else about him, too :winkgrin: I see nothing "forced" there, a beautiful young horse, working at FEI level and doing a fabulous job.

[Calhoun]

Nice horse! Loved the scoring at the bottom.