Quinn G dazzles to become World Champion six-year-old in Ermelo

Danish mare Quinn G was ridden by her British owner Fiona Bigwood to win the 6YO title at the Longines FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo, the Netherlands (04 – 08 September 2024).

Fiona Bigwood & Quinn G

Competing as part of the Danish quota of entries, Fiona and the outstanding chestnut talent achieved an exceptional score of 95.000% from judges Maria Schwennesen (AUT) and Peter Storr (GBR). This secured back-to-back world young horse championship wins for Quinn G (Quaterhit x Fassbinder), winner of the World Championship 5YO title under Betina Jaeger in 2023 and sold to Fiona Bigwood at the end of last year.

When Quinn and Fiona rode their last centre line, the audience erupted in applause. “It looks like you were enjoying her just as much as we did,” said commentating judge Peter Storr. “What a wonderful attitude this mare has, it looked like she had so much fun, so happy and relaxed.”

Bred by Helene Geervliet at Stutteri G in Denmark, and co-owned by Fiona and her daughter Mette (Dahl), Quinn G was awarded a mark of 10 for the trot, 10 for walk, 9 for canter, 9 for submission and 9.5 for perspective. “We had no complaints about her trot, so she receives a 10.” Quinn’s walk likewise impressed to have the judges reaching for another 10. “This is clearly a happy athlete, well done to the both of you.”

Speaking afterwards, Fiona said; “I feel so lucky to have Quinn, she is so good my only task is to pilot her around the test. Her focus on me is incredible. I have never done anything like this, and I have learned a lot the past few days, because this is quite different from Grand Prix.”

Fiona purchased the mare in the autumn of 2023 and earlier this year she was partnered by Carl Hester in her first 6YO classes. “Her character is her best quality," continued Fiona. "She adores people and is so eager to please. Chestnut mares may have a reputation, but she is simply amazing and has the best personality.”

The combination placed just outside the top three in Thursday’s qualifier but rose to the top of the ranks in the Final. “It is a completely different way of riding compared to a ‘regular’ dressage test, but we gave it our all and it all worked out.”

Another Brit to reach the 6YO Final was Lottie Fry who piloted Van Olst Horses’ KWPN stallion Nalegro (Painted Black x Negro) into 14th place on 76.400%, having placed 12th in the qualifier on 83.400%. With Van Olst Horses’ six-year-old NRPS licensed stallion Everest (Especial x Negro), a winner at the 2023 Pavo Cup Finals with Phoebe Peters, Lottie finished top-15 in the Qualifier on 82.200%, and fifth in the 6YO Small Final (80.800%).

Dannie Morgan and his six-year-old AES gelding Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano), bred by David Stone, showed much quality on the big stage scoring 82.800% for 13th in the Qualifier and 22nd in the Small Final. Competing as part of the Spanish quota of entries, Joseph Hunt and Yeguada Centurion’s PRE stallion Druida de Centurion (Fer Bago x Oceano Cen) were awarded 79.800% for 21st place in the 6YO Qualifier and 14th in the Small Final (76.400%). Six-year-old Valentinio (Feinrich x Vivaldi), owned and ridden by Jody Haswell, gained valuable mileage on the biggest stage of his career so far, posting 74.400% in the Qualifier and 68.800% in the Small Final.

Britain’s sole representative in the 5YO division was Fiona Bigwood with her own Newton Sylvanite (Toerveslettens Sylvester x Blue Hors Don Schufro). The black gelding was awarded 79.800% for 23rd in the Qualifier and 78.400% for 14th in the Small Final.

Results: top three and British placings

Wednesday 4 September

FEI Qualifier for 5YO – presented by Provincie Gelderland
1. Bart Veeze and Red Viper (Romanov x Sir Sinclair), 92.000% (NED)
2. Jeanna Hogberg and Severucci HT (Secret x Rubinrot), 89.800% (SWE)
3. Stefanie Ahlert and Glamdale WP NRW (Glamourdale x Millennium), 89.800% (GER)
23. Fiona Bigwood and Newton Sylvanite (Toerveslettens Sylvester x Blue Hors Don Schufro), 79.800% (GBR)

Thursday 5 September

FEI Qualifier for 6YO – presented by e-Horses
1. Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen and Valerie B (Revolution x Blue Hors Zack), 90.800% (DEN)
2. Dorothee Schneider and Segantini 6 (Secret x Fidermark), 89.200% (GER)
3. Charlotta Rogerson and Nice Touch W (Dettori x Florencio), 88.200% (SUI)
=4. Stefan Wolff and Elliot the Dancer (Escolar x Vitalis), 88.000% (GER)
=4. Fiona Bigwood and Quinn G (Quaterhit x Fassbinder), 88.000% (DEN)
12. Charlotte Fry and Nalegro (Painted Black x Negro), 83.400% (NED)
13. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano), 82.800% (GBR)
15. Charlotte Fry and Everest (Especial x Negro), 82.200% (NED)
21. Joseph Hunt and Druida de Centurion (Fer Bago x Oceano Cen), 79.800% (ESP)
41. Jody Haswell and Valentinio (Feinrich x Vivaldi), 71.400% (GBR)

Small Final World Championship 5YO dressage horses
1. Lara van Nek and Obsession Taonga (Vitalis x All at Once), 89.600% (NED)
2. Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen and Feinstein (Franklin x Rock Forever), 87.000% (GER)
3. Mette Sejbjerg Jensen and Sraight Horse Sun King (Sir Donnerhall x Blue Hors Zack), 85.000% (DEN)
14. Fiona Bigwood and Newton Sylvanite (Toerveslettens Sylvester x Blue Hors Don Schufro), 78.400% (GBR)

Friday 6 September

FEI Qualifier World Championship 7YO – presented by Anemone Horse Trucks
1. Charlott-Maria Schürmann and Life Time FRH (Livaldon x Fürstenball), 81.175% (GER)
2. Evelyn Eger and Global Power OLD (Grey Flanell x Don Frederic), 81.099% (GER)
3. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Massimo (Glock’s Toto JR x Bretton Woods), 80.675% (NED)

Small Final World Championship 6YO dressage horses
1. Kim Noordijk and Naqueen (Trafalgar x Samba Hit), 85.800% (NED)
2. Stefanie Viehoff-Wolf and San to Alati FRH (Secret x Belissimo), 84.700% (GER)
3. Mette Sejbjerg Jensen and Sraight Horse Sun King (Sir Donnerhall x Blue Hors Zack), 82.800% (DEN)
5. Charlotte Fry and Everest (Especial x Negro), 80.800% (NED)
14. Joseph Hunt and Druida de Centurion (Fer Bago x Oceano Cen), 76.400% (ESP)
22. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 73.800% (GBR)
28. Jody Haswell and Valentinio (Feinrich x Vivaldi), 68.800% (GBR)

Saturday 7 September

LONGINES Final World Championship for 5YO dressage horses
1. Bart Veeze and Red Viper (Romanov x Sir Sinclair), 93.800% (NED)
2. Stefanie Ahlert and Glamdale WP NRW (Glamourdale x Millennium), 90.200% (GER)
3. Jeanna Hogberg and Severucci HT (Secret x Rubinrot), 90.000% (SWE)

Small Final World Championship 7YO
1. Jeanna Hogberg and Be Allex (Ampere x Dalwhinnie), 79.402% (SWE)
2. Lisa Wernitznig and Majestic Taonga (Glock’s Toto JR x Jazz), 75.950% (NED)
3. Tessa Frank and Blue FRH (Buckingham x Locksley II), 75.756% (GER)

Sunday 8 September

LONGINES Final World Championship 7YO dressage horses
1. Charlott-Maria Schürmann and Life Time FRH (Livaldon x Fürstenball), 84.129% (GER)
2. Leonie Richter and Vitalos FRH (Vitalis x De Niro), 83.222% (GER)
3. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Massimo (Glock’s Toto JR x Bretton Woods), 80.993% (NED)

LONGINES Final World Championship 6YO dressage horses
1. Fiona Bigwood and Quinn G (Quaterhit x Fassbinder), 95.000% (DEN)
2. Merita Hagren and Alkaline (Secret x Zalmiak Firfod), 92.000% (DEN)
3. Charlotta Rogerson and Nice Touch W (Dettori x Florencio), 88.600% (SUI)
14. Charlotte Fry and Nalegro (Painted Black x Negro), 76.400% (NED)

FULL RESULTS

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