Isabell Werth created quite a stir when winning the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup⢠Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at the sold-out RAI Arena in Amsterdam (NED) today with Weihegold. The lovely mare was competing in her very first international Freestyle, but in the hands of the 46-year-old German athlete who includes six Olympic gold medals and two World Cup titles amongst her career highlights, the 11-year-old horse posted a spectacular score in the early stages of the competition and could not be beaten.
The pairâs success was all the more remarkable for the fact that todayâs class was of an exceptionally high standard, with top riders really raising their game in the battle for points towards the Reem Acra Final in Gothenburg (SWE) in March. Werth admitted afterwards that her victory was unexpected.
Germany also claimed runner-up spot when Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB pushed The Netherlandsâ Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando down to third, while Olympic, European and defending Reem Acra champion Charlotte Dujardin slotted into fourth for Great Britain with Uthopia.
Yesterdayâs Grand Prix was dominated by the home contingent, 2010 FEI World Cup⢠Dressage champion Edward Gal leading the way with Glockâs Voice followed by van Silfhout in second and Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glockâs Flirt in third. This was also a tough day of sport, with a total of 22 starters and only 15 qualifying spots on offer for todayâs Freestyle. Werth and Weihegold had to settle for sixth place yesterday, so they had it all to do when they stepped into the arena this afternoon. But they posted an amazing 83.450 when sixth to go, their score boosted by artistic marks of 90.00 from judges Francis Verbeek van Rooy (NED) and Stephen Clarke (GBR).
In an intricate test that oozed willingness, energy and focus, Weihegold showed effortless piaffe, lovely extended trot and passage and strong canterwork. And the big smile on the face of Werthâs great patron, Madeleine Winter-Schulze, as she watched from the sidelines was reflected by the rider who could be seen to go – âOh Wow!â – as she drew to a halt with the black mare which is owned by Christine Ams-Krogmann.
Swedenâs Patrik Kittel produced an extraordinary test from the rejuvenated 17-year-old Watermill Scandic who looks super-fit and is still clearly enjoying his work at this late stage in his career. Bouncing off the ground during his trademark passage, the chestnut stallion posted 79.950 to go into second place, but there would be a lot more movement on the leaderboard before the end of the day.
Gal and Glockâs Voice demoted them from runner-up spot when scoring 82.100, only to be overtaken by van Silfhout and Arlando NOP who posted 82.750 when next into the ring. But it was the penultimate partnership of von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB, third-place finishers at last yearâs Reem Acra Final in Las Vegas (USA), who would finally earn that second spot when awarded 83.250 for a charming performance.
The spotlight however belonged to Werth and the mare who has been ridden for most of her career by the German riderâs assistant trainer, Beatrice Buchwald. Werth explained today that it was always planned that she would take over the ride when the horse had enough experience.âShe (Weihegold) is a clear option for the German team and the Olympics now. I ride her to give her my experience, but Bea will continue to ride her as well and we will try all options to find the strongest combination for Rio. Iâm really happy to have such a strong team of horsesâ, Werth said.She talked about the arrangement that has been reached between the mareâs owners and her long-time patron. âThey have found a solution together with Madeleine (Winter-Schulze) to keep the horse for me to ride. There have been many offers to buy her, but in the end there is a good solution between the owners and Madeleine who is always very happy to help – itâs all about team-work. With Madeleine I am very close – she is always at our side, and at my side,â said the German star.
Werth is now considering taking Weihegold to the penultimate Reem Acra qualifier in Neumunster (GER) in three weeksâ time before bringing Don Johnson, with whom she topped the fifth qualifier in Salzburg (AUT) last month, to the last qualifying leg in sâHertogenbosch (NED) in March.
âMy goal with Weihegold is to improve more and more. She is only 11 years old, she is very elegant and she has lots of room for improvement – she is a very exciting horseâ, Werth said today.
Source: FEI
