Steffen Peters and Ravel made history when winning the first ever World Cup final for the US on home soil — but only just. They had a 0.45 margin over Isabell Werth and Satchmo, with Anky van Grunsven third on the horse she did not really want to bring, Painted Black.
Ravel had won the grand prix deservedly, but even as Peters was soaking up the significance of his kur win, the mutterings had begun that maybe the judging had been a tad partisan.
Listen to Steffen Peters’ interview
Satchmo had been below par in Thursday’s grand prix, but he was exceptional in the kur, despite a mistake in the two-time changes. The technical wizardry just kept coming, with Isabell signing off with an exquisite one-handed passage sequence down the centre line.
They went into the freestyle lead but Ravel came next and the crowd were not going to have it any other way. Ravel’s test was a finessed version of his Hong Kong routine and there was much to like, though two judges including the American ground jury president gave him 87%.
Magnanimous in defeat, Anky said: “It is not good for the sport for everyone to say Anky’s going to win or Isabell; we need new winners. But this does mean we practice harder and beat Steffen next time.”
More direct, Isabell said. “Three of the judges placed me first. Maybe next time I just have to hope I get one more.”
Listen to Isabell Werth’s interview
View Dressage World Cup final pictures
Results
1. Ravel – Steffen Peters (USA) 84.950%
2. Satchmo – Isabell Werth (GER) 84.500%
3. IPS Painted Black – Anky van Grunsven (NED) 82.150%
4. Exquis Nadine – Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) 81.050%
5. Pop Art – Ashley Holzer (CAN) 79.200%
6. Whisper – Monica Theodorescu (GER) 76.850%
7. Nartan – Jeannette Haazen (NED) 75.600%
8. Randon – Michal Rapcewicz (POL) 72.750%
9. Bjorsells Briar – Jan Brink (SWE) 71.650%
10. Regardez Moi – Heath Ryan (AUS) 70.300%
11. Diamore – Marco Bernal (COL) 66.750%
