Steffen Peters and Ravel in their GP Freestyle at the 2010 WEG

[pinkluwink]

Not to rain on everyone's parade... but, this is difficult for me to watch and I'd like to point out a few blaring errors. First, even before entering you can see the horse is behind the vertical. His back is also hollow and he is not driving from the hind end. His front and hind end are disconnected. You can see this by freezing the video during most any two beat movement, the hind legs never reach the elevation of the front, ideally the front forearm and hind cannon should be parallel.

[xxibitsuxx]

As beautiful a job as this pair did, I still think Fuego XII should've snatched the bronze at least >.>;;; 

[syncyndy]

I also wish my iPad souls stop autocorrecting Steffen to Steffens, lol

[syncyndy]

Also if you understood my original comment, a moving and swinging back is a good thing, however, with so much suspension and power these can be hard horses to ride. The point being Steffens does it so well. I have watched countless videos of him on all different horses, he remains true to his core stability, always with nice lines, an excellent seat, and an upper body carriage most of us aspire to...well I guess that is why he an Olympic level athlete and we are not :)

[syncyndy]

@anzalonerider your comment makes o sense, if anything we can learn about the sport of dressage it is the partnership that matters. Whom do you presume did all that training, Steffens of course, he clearly makes it look easy, that is the point to make aids light, imperceptible to those on the ground. If there is anything we can learn is it takes a fantastic rider, not just a horse with excellent training.

[MetalSiicken]

lol drool drool droolllllllll much?????

[sarabea2194]

Wow this guy was amazing!

[AllThatJazzandBrave]

Such a great rider. We need more guys in Dressage, and USA trained USA Riders.

[ShadesOfWaves]

I'd like to see him ride Totilas, the other german (currently riding) looks like he's having trouble maintaining his seat :P

[Furby1993]

@ShadesOfWaves don't think so. Matthias Alexander Rath is doing a good job, but yes I agree: would be interesting to see this german rider (steffen peters) with Totilas

[beetreaux]

Unless you have seen him ride up close, you can't realize that what you perceive as "wobbly legs" is really him releasing his thighs (literally lifting them off the saddle) to prevent any gripping and therefore tightening of the horse's back. He does it after every movement and shows what a true pro he is.

[thisgirlisrockin]

People diss on Steffen's seat... But Ravel has so much spring and suspension, I give him credit for even being able to sit with the horse even if his legs are a little wobbly. The horse looks great, they obviously have a good connection. Good for them.

[torridonrufina]

I watched Steffan Peters live give a masterclass and then ride at Equitana in Melbourne, Australia in November 2010. He was fantastic, he didn't ride the most easiest of horses but stayed so calm with them and got what he wanted quietly even in front of a big crowd so I am afraid I disagree with most of you.

[AiAnaconda]

This is a horse on tension and a rider who used way to much legs even for the extending walk.

[AventurasdeBolita]

For canter he uses Safety Dance, for the trot before halt he uses viva la vida by coldplay and i don't know what song he uses for passage :) both are still amazing though

[clinginsam1]

@AventurasdeBolita thank you

[clinginsam1]

does anyone know what song this is

[syncyndy]

Steffen makes it look easy but if you really watch carefully that horse has one moving back. I imagine most of us would plop right off riding an extended trot on this horse. He seems so powerful, but almost too responsive if there is such a thing, he appears to anticipate some and Steffen is like "hold on wait for me". Such a beautiful pair.

[anzalonerider]

@syncyndy I don't agree with you at all. Reval just has a lot of excellent training.

[indiaismygirl]

i love how steffan rides nothing ever fazes him :)

[MExJUDITH]

They didn't deserve bronze in my opinion. Imke deserved bronze.

[TorqueBrooklyn]

@MExJUDITH Lmao, Edward Gal didn't deserve first.

[MExJUDITH]

@TorqueBrooklyn; well, everyone has an other opinion. In my eyes Steffen didn't deserve bronze. I don't like his way of riding. But, that's my opinion :) ) 

[TorqueBrooklyn]

@MExJUDITH I agree, I'm not a fan of his riding style either. To me he seems hard with his hands. But I just hate the fact that Edward Gal got first, just for the way he trains.

[MExJUDITH]

@TorqueBrooklyn; ah oke. by the way, did you know that Ravel was ridden bij Edward Gal, before Steffen? :) (oops, this have nothing to do with it, but okay, hihi)

[TorqueBrooklyn]

@MExJUDITH Yes I knew that.

[kwood1113]

Steffen Peters and the beautiful Ravel were wonderful.  They did some difficult work out there and were incredible! Bravo Bronze!!

[RedbirdScarletAngel]

Absolutely inspiring. I wouldn't expect anything less from these two. Wish I was there to see it.