Latest from Horse & Hound in Isabell-werth

‘It was like a championships’: Britain second in Nations Cup opener as Carl Hester returns to team duty

Oscar Williams — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:44:39 +0000

While the Winter Dressage Championships were in full swing at home, a strong British team finished second in the opening European leg of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup at the inaugural Fontainebleau CDIO5* (16–19 April).

The German squad won, in a competition that went down to the final ride and offered the first meaningful measure of form ahead of the World Championships in Aachen this summer.

The lead changed hands repeatedly between Germany, Britain, and Belgium throughout the grand prix, and all three nations were still in contention going into the anchor rides.

Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus set the bar first, posting a personal best of 83.5% – the individual win of the day, with 10s for their canter pirouette – to secure third for Belgium.

Lottie Fry and Glamourdale followed with a fault-free 80.85%, briefly putting Britain into the lead and leaving Isabell Werth needing 79.15% or better on Queenparks Wendy to deliver for Germany. Isabell found 80.59%, so Germany finished on 230.065 to Britain’s 228.630 and Belgium’s 224.761.

For the British team, Lottie’s second-place individual finish led the way in one of her strongest outings with the now 15-year-old stallion to date.

Carl Hester came fifth with Fiona Bigwood and Mette Dahl’s Fame with 76.15% – his first win since a dominant double at Doha CDI5* in February – and Fiona contributed a 71.63% aboard home-bred mare Donna Bella for 10th. Lewis Carrier’s 67.67% with the veteran Diego V was the drop score.

Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale were second individually as Britain finished second in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup at Fontainebleau. (Image credit: FEI/Evan Oudin)

The grand prix special again went Isabell’s way, but Carl and Fame were second on 77.32% and Fiona and Donna Bella third on 72.28%. Lottie took another runner-up finish in the freestyle with Glamourdale; Justin and Zonik were again unbeatable.

Carl, who had stepped back from Nations Cup duty in recent seasons to free up team spots for younger riders, returned with Sadie Smith and Laura Tomlinson’s up-and-coming horses heading to Hagen CDI4*.

“I always say, look, give those spaces to the kids who want to be on teams,” Carl said. “But they asked me to do it, and it worked out perfectly. The special finished at 11.30am Sunday morning, so I got home in time for dinner!”

The 16-year-old stallion Fame continues to reward the lighter campaign Carl has planned for him this year. “He was amazing in both tests – so good to ride and so up for it,” Carl said. “A really good mix of keenness and relaxation.

“His pirouettes scored really high, his changes scored really high, and I think his outline’s improved again this year. He was just cool. That’s what he was.”

The result in the special was built on a test Carl rated among his best on Fame. “It was mistake-free, full of power. They were very complimentary about him and gave him some very big scores.

“He’s possibly the most incredible horse – I’m running out of nice things to say about him. There’s always something to improve, we know that – but it’s a very good start to the season, and he’s still as fresh as ever.”

He was quick to credit the calibre of the field. “That was the leading group there. The only one really missing is Cathrine [Laudrup-Dufour]. Everyone kept saying it felt like the championships are here now – that’s how strong it was.

“Especially at this time of year, to get them out and have a good strong showing like that is good. You can imagine, if you added Becky [Moody] to the mix, you’d have near enough the top team.”

“She’s an exciting horse, that one”

Fiona’s third-place finish in the special was another bright spot. Her 10-year-old home-bred Donna Bella (Don Juan de Hus x Gribaldi) is the daughter of Atterupgaards Orthilia, who, with Fiona, was a member of the British team that won silver at both the 2015 European Championships in Aachen and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio – a family connection that clearly shows.

“That’s a very exciting mare she’s bred,” Carl said. “What you could really see is how much trust she had in her, because the mare is very like her mother.

“She’s got so much temperament and talent, and she just needs some easy rides to give her confidence. Fiona knows the mother so well, the family so well – she’s so tactful in her way of riding with her, and she just guided her around to do some really lovely tests. She’s an exciting horse, that one.”

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‘You stayed true to yourself and us until the end’: final farewell to medal-winning superstar, aged 24

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:51:46 +0000

German dressage star Isabell Werth has paid tribute to her medal-winning ride Don Johnson, who has been put down aged 24 after a long and happy retirement.

German-bred Don Frederico gelding “Jonny”, with whom Isabell won European team gold in 2013, and bronze on home soil at Aachen two years later, had suffered an untreatable leg fracture.

Isabell shared a video of Don Johnson online, showing him as the “leader of our retirees’ herd”, roaming in fields with his friends.

“Dear Jonny, you were a truly special character horse… for nearly 15 years, a millipede who became a model athlete,” she said.

“You were always there whenever a party was being thrown, always ready to deliver a special dance performance.”

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Don Johnson, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze, was ridden by Isabell throughout his international career.

As well as their European medals, they notched up 55 wins in grands prix, grand prix specials and freestyles across Europe between 2011 and 2019. They were unbeaten between November 2016 and the following September, scoring 16 wins in a row.

They represented Germany at three other European Championships and contested the World Cup Final in 2013, finishing fifth individually.

Jonny last competed in 2019; he and Isabell ended a run of six consecutive wins with victories in the CDI5* grand prix and freestyle in front of a home crowd at Frankfurt.

“You stayed true to yourself and to us until the very end,” Isabell said. “Thank you for the special moments and years.”

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Into orbit: dressage’s new superstar lands second gold medal at the European Championships

Martha Terry — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:50:15 +0000

Belgium’s Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus laid on the wow factor to win gold in the European Dressage Championships freestyle medals at Jiva Hill Stables in France. Under cloudless skies, at the foot of the Jura Mountains, this pair danced their way to the top of the podium with 89.96%.

Justin, 38, is a man who lets his performance do the talking and he was almost speechless in trying to describe the enormity of what he had achieved with the horse he found as a two-year-old.

“I can’t believe it at all!” he said. “This second victory is really a surprise for me. I’m so proud of my horse – he’s so young.”

As in the grand prix special, it was a three-way fight for the medals, between Justin, silver medallist Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Isabell Werth in bronze, but the placings remained unaltered. Zonik is dressage’s new king.

Justin and the nine-year-old had already made history on their championship debut by winning Belgium’s first gold in the special. But as Cathrine and Isabell had both put plus-88% scores on the board before his turn, this young stallion would need to conjure something extra special. A personal best in a rapidly soaring career was required – and that’s exactly what Zonik produced.

Breathtaking though the test was, it was not flawless, as Zonik broke into canter during his trot half-pass, but the rest was spellbinding.

“I made a big mistake – of course it was my fault,” Justin said. “But I could feel that test by test he is becoming more mature, able to listen to all my very small aids, always attentive to me – that’s his greatest quality.”

European Dressage Championships freestyle: silver and bronze medals

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour had Isabell’s target of 88.05% to hit when she went in, third from the end. She nailed an extremely technical floorplan, climaxing with an impressive walk into canter pirouette, to piaffe and then halt to score 89.82%.

“The choreography is very special, I hand-picked things from old freestyles and felt emotional riding it,” said Cathrine. “It’s really technical, but Freestyle is a horse who can take it.”

There were so many tremendous highlights from this harmonious partnership – their smoothness and frame throughout were exemplary and the way they made such a difficult sequence of exercises look so easy.

In common with several others, the pair made a mistake in the two-time tempi changes, which they were able to repeat but perhaps it made the tiny impact that made the difference in such a tight tussle for gold.

“I thought she was amazing again, she’s been great all week performing three great tests,” said Cathrine, who watched Justin’s test from the mixed zone alongside her trainer Kyra Kyrklund. “I needed that last bit of luck today as it was so damn close!

“So it comes with a little bit of disappointment but this is what the sport is all about, and it has been amazing sport all week at Jiva Hill.”

Bronze for Isabell Werth

Isabell Werth said after the special that she would go for broke in Wendy De Fontaine’s freestyle, and she conjured a massive performance, certainly their most harmonious of the week.

Her piaffe pirouettes were exquisite, but the whole test was immaculate, balanced and powerful. Although Wendy’s previous tests had looked a little short of her Paris brilliance, the pair looked in perfect harmony in this freestyle, Isabell riding for every single mark. Every movement looked more fluent and expressive, and the scores soared accordingly.

Becky Moody finished just outside the medals in fourth with Jagerbomb for Britain on 86.98%.

European Dressage Championships freestyle medals

Gold: Justin Verboomen (BEL), Zonik Plus – 89.96%

Silver: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN), Mount St John Freestyle – 89.82%

Bronze: Isabell Werth (GER), Wendy De Fontaine – 88.05%

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Germany crowned European Dressage team champions as Isabell Werth delivers under pressure

Oscar Williams — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:02:28 +0000

Germany topped the team results to secure their 26th team gold medal at the European Dressage Championships in Crozet after a nail-biting finish that came down to the final two riders.

Team anchor Isabell Werth and Wendy De Fontaine produced 79.22% to outscore Lottie Fry and Glamourdale’s 75.83%, sealing the title for Germany with a total of 229.644.

Britain had to settle for silver on 226.785, with Denmark taking bronze on 223.385 – rounding out the top three in the European Dressage Championships team results.

“That was really heavy,” said Isabell. “Everyone said before it was so open – and at the end it really was, but it was fun and intense too.

“Lottie had it in her fingers. I didn’t watch her; I was waiting around the corner. It was really close, and it could have changed at the end. It worked, but it doesn’t mean it was clear.”

Isabell was full of praise for Wendy’s performance under pressure, with the 11-year-old mare’s score just fractionally below the 79.36% she scored in the grand prix at the Paris Olympics.

“She was fantastic,” Isabell said. “She was really focused, and I tried to make it a test without mistakes. She gave me a pure passage and really nice piaffe – I was really, really happy with her.”

She also said the Crozet atmosphere – which seemed to unsettle a few – suited Wendy: “She likes it. She enjoys it. For her, it’s not a problem.”

Looking ahead to the individual medals, Werth admitted the competition is wide open. “It’s super open. One mistake can make a difference. That makes it even more exciting.”

She added that her partnership with Wendy is still developing, with fewer than a dozen shows together under their belts. “I’ve only done about 10 shows with her, so I’m still running behind in terms of experience, getting to know her and fixing things. That’s also why today made me really happy.”

Isabell – who already has nine individual European golds to her name – will bid for another podium finish in tomorrow’s grand prix special (29 August), the first of the individual competitions which starts at 10am local time (9am British time).

Although no medals are awarded for the grand prix itself, she sits second on the leaderboard behind Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle (80.82%), with Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus close behind in third (79.08%).

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Iconic! Isabell Werth and surprise package Wendy win individual silver in the Olympic dressage freestyle

Oscar Williams — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:54:20 +0000

Isabell Werth’s 10-year-old ride Wendy has been the surprise package of the Paris 2024 Games and produced another fantastic test to win individual silver in the Olympic dressage freestyle on 89.61% – her third personal best in as many tests.

Their general impression and piaffe-passage work were highlights, with Isabell riding the mare in a lovely open frame throughout.

“She was fantastic,” said Isabell after the prizegiving. “Every day it improves a little more, and she was so outstanding – this atmosphere, the crowd, it was amazing.”

Isabell looked delighted and emotional riding her last piaffe pirouette, with the crowd breaking into cheers and applause before her test had even finished.

This freestyle expert knows how to work a crowd, and she punched the air in delight and gestured to her ear, asking for more noise, as she left to a standing ovation.

“I had goosebumps,” added Isabell. “She felt really comfortable and confident in this atmosphere, and at her age, it’s so special. From the first minute she was with me, there were no situations where I felt insecure.”

Her music was an instant crowd-favourite, featuring Stumblin In by Cyril, followed by some Dire Straits, and then, most iconically, Barry Manilow’s Mandy but with the lyrics changed to “Oh, Wendy”.

It’s the same routine that earned them 89.1% in Aachen last month, which captured the imagination of the dressage world and at the time was a personal best for the partnership of more than 7%.

Few would’ve expected them to hit those heights on the biggest stage of all, upsetting the apple cart and overcoming some of the greatest horses of the modern era to take a spot on the podium.

But perhaps we should’ve learned by now to never count Isabell out, and she could’ve even won it here but for a small mistake in the one-time changes.

“I don’t know if this is good luck or bad luck,” added Isabell. “We had luck on our side yesterday, the Danish team could’ve won and today, I’m really happy with the result.

“There was such a high standard, the first test was 80% already, so I think it was fantastic, and for me, with this horse, and this atmosphere, I don’t feel that I’ve lost anything.”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB won gold on 90.09%, with Lottie Fry and Glamourdale taking bronze on 88.97%.

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Werth and Wendy wow Olympic dressage judges to bolster Germany’s gold medal hopes

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 12:26:49 +0000

Isabell Werth, the most decorated Olympic dressage rider of all time, put in a beautiful performance with Wendy in the Paris 2024 Olympic dressage grand prix special. They scored 79.89% – a personal best for this ever-improving 10-year-old mare – which has promoted the German team into gold medal position after the second rotation of riders.

“I have to say Wendy is really outstanding and she doesn’t make mistakes, so it was up to me,” said Isabell, who only took over the ride on this mare at the beginning of this year. “I was a little bit too careful and too much backwards today because in Aachen [their most recent competition] we were a little bit too forward, so those are the little details we have to figure out. But she was so fantastic with the passage and the last centre line and the pirouettes today and everything is really improving.”

Isabell said that she clicked immediately with Wendy when she first rode her.

“It is really a perfect match between us and I think we both feel really confident, which makes it so easy. She’s so uncomplicated.”

Reigning individual European silver medallists Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter put in a solid test to earn 78.48% from the judges, which means the Danish team has now climbed a position into silver at this stage of the Olympic dressage grand prix special.

Nanna’s performance with the 16-year-old, who has only recently returned from injury, wasn’t completely without fault, with mistakes coming in the two-time tempi-changes and a transition between passage and piaffe.

“I think I had a really really nice test. I managed to improve in the piaffe and passage also a little bit in the pirouettes,” said Nanna after her Olympic dressage performance. “But then I had also a few mistakes, which kept me under 80% – that’s how it is and I’m really happy with him and the type of performance we provided.”

Nanna said that she thinks the electric atmosphere in the main arena was the cause of her mistakes.

“I think it was the pressure, maybe he could feel something on me as well. I didn’t feel as nervous as I did on the first day, but he definitely feels everything.

“He always tries to do his best, so when the mistakes happen it’s more like a communication misunderstanding between him and me. Maybe I wanted a little bit too much in the two-tempis and then he got a little bit confused in the end.”

The British team is in bronze medal position after Carl Hester’s test with Fame.

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‘It’s amazing how we grow together’: Isabell Werth and Wendy score personal best in the Paris Olympics dressage grand prix

Oscar Williams — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:03:24 +0000

Isabell Werth, the most decorated Olympic dressage rider of all time, looked like she meant business as she scored 79.36% to finish second in Group E just over 1% behind Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Freestyle at the Paris Games.

Group E has been the most competitive group so far, with Isabell’s performance pushing Lottie Fry and Glamourdale down into third place and out of the automatic qualification spots for Sunday’s freestyle. However, that won’t concern Lottie or the British team too much, as they’re almost guaranteed to qualify as one of the next six highest-placed combinations outside the top two from each group.

Isabell’s partnership with the 10-year-old Wendy keeps getting better and better, with their scores trending upward with each test.

Their record together is something to behold. Where other combinations are focussing on marginal gains, and how to eek out an extra percentage point, Isabell and Wendy are improving by several percentage marks with each outing.

Their freestyle in Aachen, in what was their last competition before travelling to Paris, was a personal best of over 7%, and their result here was a personal best together in the grand prix by over 2%.

“I’m very, very happy and proud of Wendy,” said Isabell following her test. “She was fantastic, and was so focussed and with me – it’s amazing how we grow together and how honest she is.

“She’s now starting to play with her body as well as her possibilities and potential, it’s becoming more and more easy, and I now know more about what exercises to introduce and how to do all the little details to be prepared for some things better.

“So far we can improve together from week to week. This is also, of course, normal with a 10-year-old horse as they get more muscle, more power and more experience. Everything works together and it’s really a pleasure.

“In the beginning, I think people watched [us] and were a little sceptical, but I was sure this horse would be there in time.”

Isabell waited to speak to the press until after she’d watched her stable rider Australian William Matthew compete on Mysterious Star (Metall x Fürst Heinrich). William produced a fantastic harmonious test to score 69.95%

“It all just clicked and he was completely with me, so focused and ready to do it,” said William, “it’s been a life dream and I hope I can be on even more teams in the future.”

William was talent-spotted by Isabell when she saw him riding some horses his owners were looking to sell.

“Isabell liked the horse and then she asked ‘Who’s the rider?’ and as it turns out she needed a rider so offered me a job. It’s been amazing to work with her, every day is an inspiration, to be honest. We’re always riding together and she’s always got her eye on you.

“If ever I’m a bit lost I just walk for a few minutes and watch her riding and think ‘Oh I could try that or do this’ and it normally works.”

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Olympic medal contender withdraws from key selection trial, another hopeful retires

Oscar Williams — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:57:52 +0000

Isabell Werth has announced the withdrawal of Wendy De Fontaine (formerly Queenparks Wendy) from the 2024 German dressage championships in Balve, as first reported by Eurodressage.

This is significant because Balve is one of two mandatory selection trials for the German Olympic dressage team. The second trial will be held at the Aachen CDIO5* (7 July).

Isabell Werth took over the ride on the 10-year-old mare in January following Andreas Helgstrand’s ban from competition.

“Unfortunately Wendy suffered a minor injury in the paddock on Sunday and suffered a bruise,” said Isabell. “This needs some rest now and that’s why she won’t start in Balve.”

Isabell will compete her World Cup finalist DSP Quantaz at the championships.

“Quantaz now bears the responsibility alone on his shoulders,” added Isabell. “This is of course a pity, but I’m still looking forward to Quantaz and Balve.”

DSP Quantaz was part of Germany’s silver medal-winning team at last year’s European Dressage Championships. But Wendy De Fontaine’s scores have been trending slightly higher than her more experienced stablemate. Both horses have done three grand prix tests in 2024. Wendy De Fontaine has an average across those outings of 75.47% to DSP Quantaz’s 74.96%.

Wendy De Fontaine’s scores have also been increasing in that period (74.35% to 77%) while DSP Quantaz’s scores have been decreasing (76.87% to 72.24%).

“Her welfare and best interests come first”

Australian team stalwart Lyndal Oatley has withdrawn from contention for selection for the Paris Olympics and announced the retirement of her top ride Elvive.

“As a strong contender for this year’s Olympic team, I had high hopes for this mega-talented mare,” said Lyndal. “However the decision to move forward, or not as fate has decided, has unfortunately been a simple one.

“Elvive sustained an injury in the final moments before entering the arena in Lier for the special, where she was in top form and was highly placed in the grand prix. Despite the team’s best efforts, we cannot help her return to top sport.”

Lyndal added that her 10-year-old mare Dante’s Herzchen, who made her grand prix debut in March, will not be stepping up for Olympic team contention. “This talented mare has an amazing future ahead and I want to give her the time to develop and nurture this process,” she said.

“Horses like her don’t come along very often in a lifetime and her welfare and best interests come first.”

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Top horse claims 58th international grand prix victory in his ‘farewell dance’

Becky Murray — Tue, 28 May 2024 13:45:41 +0000

Emilio 107, the world number five-ranked ride of Isabell Werth, has retired from competition on a high having posted his 58th international grand prix victory.

Isabell and 18-year-old Emilio (Ehrenpreis x Cacir Aa) enjoyed their swansong at the Wiesbaden CDI4 (18-19 May), where they won the grand prix on 75.07% and the freestyle on 83.30%.

“Tonight is the night! Now it’s time to cross your fingers once more for our farewell dance,” said Isabell ahead of their freestyle performance.

Isabell had previously indicated that Emilio, whom she co-owns with Madeleine Winter-Schulze, would retire at the end of 2023, however following a double victory at the Stuttgart World Cup qualifier in November it was decided that Emilio would contest the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (16-20 April).

They were among the favourites to win the competition, but when Emilio became unwell with periostitis (inflammation) he was withdrawn. Instead Isabell rode DSP Quantaz in Riyadh, finishing fourth in the grand prix and third in the freestyle.

Isabell and Emilio made their international debut together at the Odense CDI2, Denmark, in October 2014. Their first grand prix victory came the following year on home soil at the Perl CDI4.

Emilio bows out from the sport at number five in the FEI dressage horse world rankings. He never contested an international championship with Isabell, with Weihegold OLD, Bella Rose 2, and DSP Quantaz taking on team duties during the past eight years, but he was part of the winning German Nations Cup team at Aachen in 2018, where he and Isabell won the freestyle and grand prix special.

During his career Emilio recorded 58 international grand prix wins, including 15 World Cup qualifiers.

Isabell said she was “very proud” of Emilio following their final performance at Wiesbaden.

“He deserves to say goodbye in front of such a great setting,” she said.

‘As always, our horses lead the way’: World Cup Final favourite withdraws through injury

Oscar Williams — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:48:41 +0000

Isabell Werth has announced that she will not be riding her long-term partner Emilio 107 (Ehrenpreis x Cacir A) at the 2024 Dressage World Cup Final (16-20 April) in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.

“As always, our horses lead the way,” Isabell said. “Unfortunately, Emilio has a periostitis [inflammation] due to a trauma. He will therefore not be able to compete in the World Cup Final.”

The combination were among the favourites to win the competition and had the highest average freestyle score in qualifying (87.41%). It was also likely to be a farewell appearance for the 18-year-old gelding, who is owned by Madeline Winter-Schulze.

Isabell had previously told Dressursport Deutschland that Emilio would retire at the end of 2023, with Frankfurt CDI earmarked as his final show.

But following a strong showing at the World Cup qualifier in Stuttgart, Isabell told Dressursport.kim that she was having second thoughts on Emilio’s retirement: “I might even ride him on a World Cup stage. I’m still wavering in my heart – let’s see,” she said. Their participation was confirmed when the FEI released the list of definite entries (30 March).

Isabell will now ride DSP Quantaz who won the World Cup qualifier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. “He is in very good shape and I hope we can prove our form there,” she said.

Quantaz is now likely to challenge Britain’s Lottie Fry and Everdale for the top spot at the finals. Lottie and Everdale (88.18%) beat Isabell and Quantaz (86.45%) at the World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam (27 January) but the German combination carry a higher average score going into the showdown – 85.98% to Everdale’s 85.11%.

If Emilio is to retire, he will do so as one of the most successful dressage horses of the last decade, despite at times playing second fiddle to Isabell’s other top rides including Quantaz, Weihegold and Bella Rose.

He would bow out as the number two ranked horse in the world – behind TSF Dalera BB – having achieved 56 international grand prix wins from 99 starts.

‘There have been very ugly pictures’: Isabell Werth speaks out about controversy in dressage

Becky Murray — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:07:14 +0000

Six-time German Olympic dressage rider Isabell Werth has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the sport – but called on people to be “factual, objective and fair”.

Yesterday (19 February) Isabell issued a statement in which she said there is a lot of discussion at the moment between horse lovers, riders, and animal activists. The statement follows online criticism of Isabell following a masterclass she held at Helgstrand Dressage in Florida, USA, and the recent announcement that she would take on the ride of Andreas Helgstrand’s Queenparks Wendy while Andreas is excluded from team competition during 2024.

“There have been very ugly pictures, which need consequences. I am however worried that it is a controversy that divides us, although actually there is one thing that combines us and that is the love of horses. That is why we should sort a few things out,” she said.

“It is good that we set ourselves a high bar. I try, however, not to make quick judgements of events from afar that I have not witnessed personally. In the past 35 years I have won many medals and have brought fantastic horses into the sport.

“After their careers they have spent many years and still spend their time with me as pensioners. However, I have also made many unintentional mistakes on the way and I try very hard, through personal development and good training to keep these mistakes to a minimum. Those who know their boundaries have more humility when criticising others.”

Isabell said she went to Andreas Helgstrand’s yard for the first time four years ago, and thanks to her long-term owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze, Joshua joined her stable.

“Since then I have been there many times. During these visits I have never seen any form of incorrect riding or any form of incorrect behaviour. Actually, the opposite is the case,” she said.

“In the meantime my students and I have bought quite a few horses from Andreas, that are all healthy and some are already successful in sport. We are very happy with all of them.”

Isabell added that she was “surprised” about the footage of and statements from former Helgstrand Dressage employees shown in TV2’s documentary Operation X.

“Although this did not happen at the establishment where Andreas trains himself, it remains his responsibility. I have spoken with him openly and in depth about this. There is however one thing that needs our attention; he was not pictured on any of the horses,” she said.

“It was a personal and not a financial decision to give a clinic at Helgstrand’s establishment in Wellington, USA. While I was there I taught a few good horses with their riders and I rode one horse. The video of this has been seen and commented on by some of you. I did not use so-called rollkur nor did the horse suffer in any way. I was just not able to keep the horse, during the first time that I had ridden him, properly in front of my aids and in front of the vertical. His slightly short neck did not help the situation.”

Isabell added that she believes it is important that in the future “we can have an honest and fair discussion, which will show the difference between bad riding and animal abuse”.

“Mistakes in riding however should and must be discussed – this is the core of my sport and the prerequisite for the improvement of the horse and rider. But please, it has to be factual, objective and fair,” she said, adding that this does not apply to cases like Cesa Parra, which are a matter for officials.

Two top horses move to new riders while Helgstrand barred from team duties

Becky Murray — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 16:33:16 +0000

Top dressage horses Queenparks Wendy and Jovian will be campaigned by Germany’s Isabell Werth and Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, while Andreas Helgstrand is excluded from team competition during 2024.

Today (12 January) a spokesman for Helgstrand Dressage announced that the stable, in collaboration with Queenparks Wendy’s owner Bolettte Wandt of Château de Fontaine, has entered into a partnership with Isabell and Isabell’s sponsor Madeleine Winter-Schulze for the 10-year-old mare to join Isabell. A partnership has been formed between Helgstrand Dressage and Patrik for 10-year-old stallion Jovian.

Both horses’ nationalities have been updated on the FEI database, ahead of the 15 January Olympic transfer deadline.

The move comes after Andreas Helgstrand was excluded from the Danish national team and team activities following the broadcast of TV2’s documentary Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, filmed undercover at Helgstrand Dressage.

“Both horses are at the peak of their careers, so it only makes sense that they should have optimal conditions to develop their sporting potential while Andreas Helgstrand is out of competition in 2024,” said the Helgstrand spokesman.

“Wendy” made her international debut with Andreas as a five-year-old at the World Championships for young dressage horses, where she won bronze. She made her grand prix debut at the Aalborg CDI3* in 2022, and has consistently posted +71% scores. In October Wendy scored a personal best of 81.16% in the freestyle at the World Cup qualifier in Herning with Andreas.

Isabell said she is “very proud and grateful to welcome this outstanding horse”.

“I would like to give special thanks to Madeleine Winter-Schulze, Bolette Wandt, and Andreas Helgstrand for facilitating this partnership,” she said.

Bolette said Wendy and Isabell are the “perfect match”.

“They are both true power girls. Wendy has a real ‘here I come’ charisma, talent, and power – the entire package required to reach the top. Moreover, she is still a young horse, and I have no doubt that there is a lot more to come in the future. Wendy is in very good hands with Isabell,” she said.

Andreas bought Jovian as a three-year-old and has produced him. In 2019 Jovian won the five-year-old final at the World Championships for young dressage horses, then went on to win the seven-year-old final in 2021. Last summer Andreas and Jovian were part of the Danish Nations Cup team at Aachen, and in September they were on the team that won bronze at the Europeans in Riesenbeck.

“I admire Jovian. He is an absolutely fantastic horse, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to ride him,” said Patrik.

“I have been a fan of his since Andreas bought him. He has qualities beyond this world – when he trots, it’s like he’s trotting on clouds. I will do everything I can to do him justice and hope that we develop a good and fruitful partnership together.”

Andreas said Wendy and Jovian are “two absolutely fantastic horses, and it’s of course, a bit sad to say goodbye to them”.

“However, I am most of all happy and proud that we have made agreements with two of the world’s absolute best dressage riders, allowing both horses to showcase their worth and continue on their journey towards the stars,” he said.

The Helgstrand spokesman added that the stable “looks forward to following the new partnerships closely”.

“There is no doubt that it will be an exciting journey full of success,” he said.

Who will win medals at the 2023 European Dressage Championships?

Polly Bryan — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:44:41 +0000

A strong German side poses a significant challenge, but Britain head to Riesenbeck with their best chance in years of grabbing gold, says H&H’s dressage editor Polly Bryan

The last time Britain won a team gold medal at a dressage championship was the London Olympics in 2012. Since then, British teams have collected five silvers and three bronzes, but gold has eluded them. Until this year’s European Dressage Championships, perhaps.

Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Lottie Fry and Gareth Hughes brought home silver from the last European Dressage Championships, in 2021, and the same quartet will head to Riesenbeck, Germany, quietly determined to go one better this time.

All four ride different horses this year, and what horses they are – without a doubt some of the best in the world. Glamourdale, Lottie Fry’s reigning world champion, is expected to lead the pack as in 2022, with the benefit of another year’s strength and experience.

Charlotte Dujardin’s precocious Imhotep and Gareth Hughes’ trusty Classic Briolinca are proven performers, who are in the form of their lives this season.

And while Carl Hester’s ride of just eight months, Fame, will be competing at his first championship, this is Carl’s 22nd. If anyone can guide a horse through his championship debut to bring out his best when it matters, it’s Carl.

But make no mistake: while Britain are highly capable of winning gold, they will have to surpass a formidable German home side to reach the top of the podium.

Last year’s German team was somewhat depleted by the absence of reigning Olympic and European champion, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. But Jessica and her stellar mare, TSF Dalera BB, are now back in the game and have lost none of the mastery that led Germany to gold in 2021.

The long-awaited showdown between Glamourdale and Dalera is set to be a thriller. One a mighty, testosterone-fuelled powerhouse, the other the epitome of elegance – each will meet their match in Riesenbeck.

Jessica will be flanked by the ever-imposing Isabell Werth, plus Frederic Wandres and Matthias Rath, drafted in from the reserve bench to replace the withdrawn Sönke Rothenberger. Buoyed by home support and a will to maintain their European record of success, Germany will be gunning for gold.

While the Germans have regained their biggest hitter, current world champions Denmark have lost their 2022 golden girl this year. But the Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour-shaped hole in the Danish team has been somewhat filled by the emergence of Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter as one of the world’s most impressive combinations in 2023.

With the experienced Carina Cassøe Krüth, Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Andreas Helgstrand alongside, you can expect to see Denmark back on the podium.

Don’t discount the other Scandinavian powerhouse, although Sweden’s chances of a medal have definitely been dampened by the late withdrawal of team stalwarts Juliette Ramel and Buriel K.

The Netherlands, too, have been dealt a blow that could close the door to the podium. With both her world individual bronze medallist Hermes NOP and now Hartsuijker injured, Dinja van Liere is without a Europeans ride. But the dynamic Indian Rock is back in action after rider Emmelie Scholtens’ knee surgery, and could cause a stir.

Check out all the teams for the European Dressage Championships

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

European Dressage Championships: individual favourites

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

The world number one and reigning Olympic and European champion with TSF Dalera BB (right), Germany’s Jessica is a hot favourite for individual gold medals – if she can beat Lottie Fry and Glamourdale. Dalera, now 16 and seemingly all the better for her six-month break while Jessica welcomed baby Ella Marie, oozes grace and quality, with swoon-worthy piaffe-passage and no signs that she is feeling her age.

Lottie Fry

Reigning world champions Lottie and Glamourdale could add more gold medals to their record in Riesenbeck. The black stallion is more secure in his work than when breaking the 90% barrier last summer, and both he and Lottie relish big atmospheres so can be expected to bring their best. But this will be the first time since early 2021 that Glamourdale has faced TSF Dalera BB, who will make he and Lottie work hard for gold.

Charlotte Dujardin

Imhotep was still new to top level when scoring three top-10 finishes in Herning last year, and he has matured impressively since. He and Charlotte are on superb form: unbeaten internationally on British soil, with a hat-trick of top-three finishes at CHIO Aachen. Will prove a huge asset to Britain, and a serious contender for individual medals as well.

Carina Cassøe Krüth

Carina dazzled at the Tokyo Olympics, and then again at the World Championships with the delightful black mare, Heiline’s Danciera (above). This Danish pair have real harmony and are a pleasure to watch dancing together. Get ready to sing alongto their Whitney Houston freestyle – and don’t be surprised to see them well in the mix for medals.

Isabell Werth

THhe queen of German dressage can never be overlooked, especially now DSP Quantaz (below) is settling into his role as successor to superstar mares Bella Rose and Weihegold OLD. He and Isabell were pipped to bronze in the special at the worlds last year and while they would certainly have to be on tip-top form to clinch a podium position in this company, only a fool would bet against Isabell making it happen.

Nanna Skodborg Merrald

The imposing chestnut gelding Blue Hors Zepter (above right) has competed at this level with three top riders – Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Patrik Kittel and Nanna. And it’s with Nanna that the 15-year-old gelding, who is by Nanna’s Olympic ride Blue Hors Zack, has reached his peak. They’re now Denmark’s highest-ranked pair, and with freestyle scores approaching 90% they’ll definitely be individual podium contenders.

Frederic Wandres

The 13-year-old Bordeaux son Bluetooth OLD (below) has been given the green light for this championship ahead of Frederic’s seasoned performer, Duke Of Britain FRH, and that’s saying something. Bluetooth’s scores have been on an upward trajectory for the past 12 months and with a plus-84% freestyle in Aachen, he looks well capable of finishing among the top few.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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Who are the best dressage horses in the world right now? We take a look…

Polly Bryan — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 15:32:53 +0000

With the 2023 European Dressage Championships just round the corner, we take a look at the best dressage horses in the world, as of August 2023, according to the latest FEI world rankings.

It’s been a year since the FEI changed its dressage world ranking format, splitting the leaderboards into separate horse and rider rankings rather than using combinations. There has been quite a shuffle in the top names over the course of 2023 so far, with British horse, Imhotep, entering the top 10, and the re-entry of TSF Dalera BB.

It’s also notable that the current top 10 line-up are now all European-ridden horses, with the USA’s Suppenkasper having slipped down from the top 10 spot he held in the new year, to lie 14th.

There has been quite the shake-up if you were to compare today’s top 10 to the horses that featured at the top of the list around the time of the last European Championships, in 2021. Just four of the names that made up the best dressage horses in the world two years ago still feature in the top 10 rankings.

So, who are the best dressage horses in the world right now?

1. TSF Dalera BB, GER

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB en route to triple gold at the European Dressage Championships 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

This brilliant mare, a 14-year-old Trakehner daughter of Easy Game, entranced viewers all over the world in 2021, when she was crowned both Olympic and European champion with her brilliant rider, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. Their dominance extended into the winter season of that year and they won the 2022 World Cup Final, before taking an extended break as Jessica welcomed her second child, Ella Marie.

Dalera’s absence from the World Dressage Championships in 2022 saw her slip out of the top 10, but she has hurtled straight back into the top spot in 2023, winning the World Cup Final for the second year and dominating proceedings at CHIO Aachen. She is yet to face a showdown with the stallion who took her place at the top last year, however, the hotly-anticipated meeting of Dalera and Glamourdale at the Riesenbeck Europeans next month will reveal which one has the edge.

2. Glamourdale, GBR

Lottie Fry and Glamourdale take gold in the special at the 2022 World Championships. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The stunning stallion Glamourdale and his talented British rider Lottie Fry became worthy world champions last summer, moving temporarily into the world number one spot in the months that followed. They have slipped down to number two in 2023 since Dalera returned to the fray, but the Lord Leatherdale stallion has grown in strength and experience this year and looks even stronger in his grand prix work than he did in August 2022.

Both he and Dalera are unbeaten so far this season, and are, without a doubt, the two best dressage horses in the world at the moment. But they can’t both remain unbeaten when they come up against each other for the first time at the Europeans. It’s hard to predict who might come out on top, but we’re looking forward to finding out in Riesenbeck.

3. Blue Hors Zepter, DEN

Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter at CHIO Aachen 2023 (Image credit: Stefan Lafrentz)

This imposing chestnut gelding has had a number of riders in the past few years, most notably Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Patrik Kittel and Nanna Skodberg Merrald. It’s with Nanna that the Blue Hors Zack son has emerged as one of the best horses in the world this year, finishing as runners-up at the World Cup Final in April, and remaining hot on TSF Dalera’s heels at CHIO Aachen.

Somewhat surprisingly – though perhaps not given his rider-hopping – 15-year-old Zepter will be making his championship debut in Riesenbeck. Expect big things from this pair at the Europeans – they will definitely be fighting for individual medals.

4. Emilio 107, GER

Isabell Werth riding Emilio 107 at the Amsterdam World Cup qualifier in 2023 (Image credit: Arnd Bronkhorst)

The highest ranked of Isabell Werth’s current horses – it is by virtue of the fact that 17-year-old Emilio has had nine outings in the past 12 months, compared to DSP Quantaz’s six, that he ranks higher than his stablemate, who is bound for the Europeans.

You could say Emilio, by Ehrenpreis, is among the more underrated of Isabell’s rides in recent years; he has not made it to a major championship or World Cup Final, yet from 89 international grand prix starts since the start of his top-level career in 2015, he has achieved a whopping 54 wins. Definitely deserving of his place among the world’s best.

5. DSP Quantaz, GER

Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz at the World Dressage Championships in 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

This eye-catching Quaterback stallion was slightly in the shadow of Isabell Werth’s famous mares, but over the past year he has stepped up into the position of her number one ride, and become a true medal contender in his own right.

The pair were just pipped to individual bronze at the World Championships in 2022 – although they did help Germany win team bronze – and they’ll be gunning for team gold on home soil next month. Quantaz has now exceeded 85% on no fewer than seven occasions, making him highly worthy of his place in the world rankings.

6. Imhotep, GBR

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep in the grand prix at the World Dressage Championships 2022. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A new entry to the top 10 this year, Charlotte Dujardin’s current top horse Imhotep, a 10-year-old son of Everdale, has taken the grand prix circuit by storm during the past year. He was very much a rookie when helping Britain to team silver in Herning last summer, but some time out over the winter while Charlotte welcomed baby Isabella seems to have done him the world of good. He has come out in 2023 stronger, more mature, and looking every bit a potential individual medallist in Riesenbeck.

Unbeaten on British soil this year, he was also snapping at Dalera’s heels during CHIO Aachen with a trio of top-three finishes. We haven’t seen the best of him yet.

7. Everdale, GBR

Britain’s Lottie Fry in action with Everdale during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The powerful 14-year-old Lord Leatherdale stallion may be playing second fiddle this year to his world champion stablemate, but he’s still the seventh best dressage horse in the world. Under Britain’s Lottie Fry, he strutted his stuff in Tokyo to take home the team bronze in 2021. Less than two months later they brought home team silver from the Europeans, and secured a fifth place finish in both the freestyle and the special.

In the years since, Everdale’s performances have grown more refined, without losing any of their power, and he scored a career best of 87.51% recently at Aachen. When a horse like this is your number two, as is the case for Lottie, you know you’re truly a rider to be reckoned with.

8. Heiline’s Danciera, DEN

Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

This gorgeous mare and her rider, Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth, captured hearts around the world at the Tokyo Olympics and they were key members of the gold medal-winning Danish team at the worlds in 2022. They have remained on consistently good form this year, sweeping the board at both the Gothenburg World Cup qualifier and the five-star Nations Cup leg in Compiegne.

The 12-year-old Fürstenball mare, who truly looks as though she is dancing when she takes to the arena, will be in line for individual medals at the European Championships.

9. Hermes NOP, NED

Dinja van Liere and Hermes at the World Dressage Championships 2022 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The double individual bronze medallist at last year’s World Championships with Dinja van Liere, Hermes would no doubt be higher up this list of the world’s best dressage horses if an injury hadn’t ruled him out of action since April. He was a dominant force on the 2022/23 World Cup circuit, winning the Mechelen and Amsterdam legs and finishing second to Glamourdale in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

Such is the talent the Easy Game son has displayed at the age of just 11, he could have been expected to give Dalera and Glamourdale a run for their money in Riesenbeck. If he can return on the same form, expect him to be a major player ahead of the Paris Olympics.

10. Touchdown, SWE

Patrik Kittel riding Touchdown at the World Dressage Championships 2023 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Touchdown brings a fourth nation inside the top 10, being the ride of Sweden’s number one Patrik Kittel. 2022 was a big year for this pair, as they brought the house down with their James Bond themed freestyle to finish seventh. Patrik adores this Quaterback son and they’ve maintained their super form since, recently posting their best ever score of 85.9%.

Whether or not Touchdown maintains his position within the top 10 may depend on whether Patrik opts to campaign him at the Europeans over his other talented grand prix horse Forever Young – unconfirmed at the time of writing – but there is no doubt Touchdown is among the best in the world.

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Defending champions list four combinations for European Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 14:31:22 +0000

Four combinations have been selected as nominated entries for the German dressage team at the European Dressage Championships this September, to be held at Riesenbeck, Germany.

Definite entries for the championships are not expected to be confirmed until the middle of August, but the German Olympic Committee for Equestrianism has listed just four riders on the home side’s “longlist”, along with three reserve combinations.

Germany are the reigning European champions, having won gold at Hagen in 2021, as well as at Rotterdam in 2019. Germany also won team bronze at last year’s World Dressage Championships, behind Denmark and Britain.

The nominated entries for the German dressage team at the 2023 European Dressage Championships are:

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with 16-year-old mare TSF Dalera BB

Owner: Béatrice A. Buerchler-Keller

Breeder: Silke Druckenmüller

Breeding: by Easy Game, out of a mare by Handryk

Sönke Rothenberger with nine-year-old stallion Fendi

Owner: Rothenberger family

Breeder: Danish Derby Horse Shows ApS

Breeding: by Franklin out of a mare by Diamond

Frederic Wandres with 13-year-old gelding Bluetooth OLD

Owner: Hof Kasselmann

Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz

Breeding: by Bordeaux out of a mare by Riccione

Frederic Wandres with 16-year-old gelding Duke Of Britain FRH (reserve horse)

Owner: Hof Kasselmann

Breeder: Pidgley family

Breeding: by Dimaggio out of a mare by Rubinstein

Isabell Werth with 13-year-old gelding DSP Quantaz

Owner: Victoria Max-Theurer and Madeleine Winter-Schulze

Breeder: Kathrin Damm

Breeding: by Quaterback out of a mare by Hohenstein 4

The following combinations are listed as reserves:

Matthias Alexander Rath with 10-year-old stallion Thiago GS

Owner: Gestüt Schafhof

Breeder: Gestüt Schafhof

Breeding: by Totilas out of a mare by Warkant

Katharina Hemmer with 11-year-old stallion Denoix PCH

Owner: Nancy Gooding

Breeder: Friedrich Kuhlmann

Breeding: by Destano out of a mare by Pik Noir

Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock with 11-year-old mare Florine OLD

Owner: Elisabeth von Wulffen

Breeder: Klaus Gustenberg

Breeding: by Foundation out of a mare by Lauries Crusador XX

The European Dressage Championships take place from 4 to 10 September, with the European Para Dressage Championships running alongside at Riesenbeck, Germany.

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‘She trusted me from the very first step’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl posts huge score to claim back-to-back World Cup titles

Polly Bryan — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 08:18:30 +0000

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl stole the show on freestyle night at the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Omaha, USA.

The German rider, last year’s World Cup winner and also the reigning Olympic and European champion, returned to the Dressage World Cup Final with her delightful TSF Dalera BB and rose to top the leaderboard in spectacular fashion once more.

The pair scored 90.48% – the ninth time they have exceeded the 90% marker – to finish 3% ahead of runners-up Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter.

Jessica reported that the 16-year-old Easy Game mare had been super hot during the grand prix, and although they had topped the leaderboard on that occasion, it was without the usual polish as a spicy Dalera made a few uncharacteristic mistakes. But Jessica said that on freestyle night, she didn’t do too much in the way of warming-up, and that Dalera was more rideable in the arena as they glided through their French-themed routine.

“It was really hot in there and she again was a little bit scared but she trusted me 100%, that was the difference tonight. I was confident and we were mirroring each other, she was confident and I got confident. She was excited but she trusted me from the very first step”, said Jessica.

With this win, Jessica has proved that she and Dalera are right back at the top of world dressage, following her break from competition during 2022 while she welcomed her second child. During that time, it was Lottie Fry and Glamourdale who soared to success, being crowned world champions, and it is yet to be seen who will come out on top when these two combinations meet in competition for the first time later this year.

Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald demoted Germany’s Isabell Werth to third place when she came in from last draw and produced a stunning test with Blue Hos Zepter, a new ride of just a few months for her, that scored 87.15%.

“He was really on fire. I had to be so careful all the way around, it was a bit difficult to come back after extended canter but I’m so thrilled,” she said. “My journey with him has been so short, we have only been together for four months and I have the feeling I can ask for so much more – he is amazing,” she added of the 15-year-old chestnut, a son of Nanna’s own Olympic and world championship ride Blue Hors Zack.

Isabell and DSP Quantaz completed the podium with a score of 85.76%.

It was a somewhat depleted field that came forward for the freestyle, the deciding test of the Dressage World Cup Final, after two of those considered among the challengers for the title, Ingrid Klimke (Franciskus), Marieke van der Putten (Torveslettens Titanium) and Dinja van Liere (Hermes NOP), withdrew from the competition.

Defending champions off to winning start at Dressage World Cup Final – despite ‘expensive hiccups’

Polly Bryan — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:16:05 +0000

The FEI Dressage World Cup Final kicked off this evening in Omaha, Nebraska, with the defending champion and reigning Olympic gold medallist, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, opening her bid for back-to-back World Cup titles as she claimed the grand prix with TF Dalera BB.

The pair scored 79.92% – on the low side for this pair and the first time they have posted less than 80% internationally since January 2021 – but it was enough to keep them ahead of fellow German combination, Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, who were second on 77.85%.

Jessica and Dalera presented a characteristically light-footed, harmonious test, with numerous highlights including the piaffe-passage work. But the mare was hot, and mistakes crept in, with an immobile halt to start, and a short first change in their line of one-time changes, which Jessica described as “expensive hiccups”.

“She was so on fire, I was lucky we had no major mistakes to be honest. She thought it wasn’t necessary to halt at the entrance for example,” said Jessica. “But I am super happy; she flew all the way here to America and is full of energy and wants to perform. She was just a bit too energised today; she was electric. But she is in super shape and she really tried to focus on me.”

Having claimed the 2022 Dressage World Cup Final title in euphoric fashion, Jessica missed the World Dressage Championships last summer due to the birth of her second child, Ella Marie. She has enjoyed three winning outings with Dalera since her return to competition in the autumn, and the pair look on track to defend their World Cup title in Omaha.

The World Cup is decided solely by the grand prix freestyle, which takes place on Friday, 7 April; the grand prix acts as a qualifier and determines the running order for the freestyle.

Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald finished third in the grand prix behind Jessica and Isabell on 76.16% riding Blue Hors Zepter. The 15-year-old son of Blue Hors Zack – Nanna’s team gold medallist at the world championships in 2022 – is a relatively new ride for her, though he is no stranger to a World Cup Final, having finished eighth at the 2022 final with Patrik Kittel.

One of the strongest contenders for the title, Dutch pair Dinja van Liere and Hermes NOP, withdrew from the grand prix, meaning they will not be eligible to compete in the freestyle – which determines the World Cup winner.

No British combinations have made the trip to compete in Omaha – reigning world champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale qualified, but opted not to compete due to the stallion’s breeding commitments.

Medal-winning mare ‘very proud’ of her first foal

Becky Murray — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 10:02:43 +0000

Bella Rose 2, Isabell Werth’s former world and European champion and Olympic team gold medallist, has welcomed her first foal aged 19.

“We are very happy that Bella Rose gave birth to a healthy colt last night (13 March),” said Isabell.

The foal, who has been named Via Bellani, is by seven-year-old Hannoverian stallion Valdiviani, who is by Veneno and out of a Fidertanz mare. Isabell has previously spoken highly of Valdiviani, saying she was “100% convinced of his potential”.

Isabell said Bella is “very proud” of her offspring.

A photo posted by on

Bella Rose’s retirement was announced following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she and Isabell won individual silver and team gold.

“I love this horse and I hope she loves me too,” said Isabell following the pair’s grand prix special test in Tokyo.

“It’s such an amazing feeling – all riders who know how difficult it is to build up a horse to this point know how I feel – it’s a gift.”

Bella Rose’s Olympic debut came seven years after she and Isabell were part of the German gold medal-winning side at the World Equestrian Games in Caen, France. After finishing second to Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in the grand prix, Bella Rose was withdrawn from the rest of the competition owing to injury.

In November that year Bella Rose returned to win the Stuttgart CDI4*, but this was her final competition for almost four years owing to soundness issues – forcing her to miss the 2015 Europeans and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She made a remarkable comeback in 2018, returning to competition with an international win at the Fritzens CDI4* in Austria – which Isabell described as “the best day in my life as a rider”.

In September 2018 Isabell and Bella Rose were crowned world champions at the World Equestrian Games, also winning team gold. The following year they won double gold at the European Championships, in Rotterdam, Germany.

When Bella Rose’s retirement was announced following Tokyo, the plan had been for her to make one final appearance at the Aachen CHIO, but this was cancelled owing to Bella undergoing colic surgery in September 2021.

What time do Lottie Fry and the other Brits ride in tonight’s freestyle at the World Dressage Championships?

Polly Bryan — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:41:56 +0000

The Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships times have been released for the grand prix freestyle, from which the second set of individual medals will be awarded.

The top 15 riders from the grand prix special are eligible to ride the freestyle, and all three British riders who were in action on Monday have gone through – including newly-crowned individual world champion Lottie Fry. Here’s when you can catch the Brits in action in the freestyle:

Gareth Hughes on Classic Briolinca: 9pm local time (8pm BST)
Charlotte Dujardin on Imhotep: 10pm local time on Sunday (9pm BST)
Lottie Fry on Glamourdale: 10.30pm local time on Sunday (9.30pm BST)

When do the other medal favourites ride?

We can look forward to seeing 15 incredible combinations in action in this freestyle class, but the riders you really must not miss include:

Germany’s Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz: 10.10pm local time (9.10pm BST)
Germany’s Benjamin Werndl on Famoso OLD: 10.20pm local time (9.20pm BST)
The Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere on Hermes: 10.40pm local time (9.40pm BST)
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos: 10.50pm local time (9.50pm BST)

When does the World Dressage Championships freestyle begin and end?

The first rider into the ring to ride their freestyle routine will be the Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens riding Indian Rock, due to begin their test at 8pm local time. Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour will close the class with Vamos Amigos, riding at 10.50pm local time as she bids to improve on her individual silver medal from Monday.

Where can I find the full list of World Dressage Championships times?

Check out the full starting order for the freestyle:

Grand prix freestyle times [PDF download]

‘She’s done it!’: How Britain’s Lottie Fry was crowned world champion with Glamourdale in Herning

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:49:23 +0000

Britain’s Lottie Fry rode the test of her life to be crowned world champion in Herning, topping the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships results in the grand prix special.

Lottie and the phenomenal 11-stallion stallion Glamourdale scored 82.5% to move ahead of the home favourite, Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, and claim the gold medal for Britain. Their score was over 1.5% higher than their previous best in this test, as they rose to the occasion in formidable fashion and scored a plethora of nines and 10s, particularly in the canter work.

This is the first time Britain has had an individual gold medallist at any championship since Valegro won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 with Charlotte Dujardin.

“This is an incredible feeling, I have no words right now and I’m probably going to burst into tears at any minute; it’s just unreal,” said Lottie, moments after it was confirmed that she was the new world champion with Van Olst Horses’ fabulous black stallion.

Hopes have been high for Glamourdale eve since he won the seven-year-old title at the World Breeding Championships in 2018, under Lottie. He has been produced steadily through to the top level since, and this week he has truly come of age.

This horse’s canter is something to behold – with the crowd letting out loud gasps of appreciation at various points during the canter tour. But it wasn’t just the canter that earned them the top marks from the seven judges: Lottie and Glamourdale banked a 10 right from the off for their foot perfect entry and square halt. The two-time changes – so huge and scopey they barely fit on the diagonal line – received five 10s; the extended canter earned six 10s.

The pirouettes slightly let the pair down in the grand prix, but Lottie said she hoped she could fix them by the special, and fix them she did, earning eights and even a nine for them today as Glamourdale kept much better balance in both.

On their final centre line, the crowd, who had just about managed to restrain themselves at the end of the pair’s grand prix, could hold back no longer and burst into applause. But this pair are not ones to be fazed – Glamourdale loves the atmosphere, producing even more lift in his last bout of passage, before executing a perfect halt – banking himself a further pair of 10s to help edge them further up the leaderboard.

“To get 82.5% at world champs is what dreams are made of,” said Lottie. “He was incredible, he went in there and just did everything I could ask.

“Everything was better – I didn’t believe it could be better but it was. The changes were bigger than yesterday, the pirouettes were better than yesterday, the piaffes were better than yesterday and he was just so ready for it today. The feeling he gives when he goes in the arena is like no other; he is such a massive showman and he takes me with him in that.

“That extended canter and those changes – it’s just the best feeling in the world when he’s doing that.”

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour had to settle for silver, after scoring 81.32% with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos, owned by the British Pidgey family, with the Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere and Hermes scooping bronze with 79.4%.

The 2018 world champion, Isabell Werth, was the final rider into the arena, following Lottie, but couldn’t quite get onto the podium, finishing fourth with DSP Quantaz on 79.07%. Her compatriot Benjamin Werndl was fifth, with Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin sixth on Imhotep after scoring 77.52%. In fact, all three Brits in the special finished in the top seven in the World Dressage Championships results, with Gareth Hughes seventh on Classic Briolinca.

Find out when the Brits will ride for individual medals in today’s World Dressage Championships grand prix special

Polly Bryan — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:02:07 +0000

The World Dressage Championships times have been released for today’s grand prix special, the first of the individual competitions following an exhilarating team contest.

The top 30 riders from the grand prix qualify for the grand prix special, with three of the British riders who won team silver in Herning yesterday going forward to compete for individual medals. The top 15 combinations from the special will go through to the grand prix freestyle on Wednesday, 10 August, although only three from each nation may contest the freestyle.

The Brits will ride the special at the following times:

Gareth Hughes on Classic Briolinca: 5.20pm local time (4.20pm BST)
Charlotte Dujardin on Imhotep: 7pm local time on Sunday (6pm BST)
Lottie Fry on Glamourdale: 7.30pm local time on Sunday (6.30pm BST)

What time do the other medal contenders ride the special?

Don’t miss these combinations, who could all finish near the top of the grand prix special leaderboard:

The USA’s Adrienne Lyle on Salvino: 4pm local time (3pm BST)
Sweden’s Patrik Kittel on Touchdown: 5.30pm local time (4.30pm BST)
The USA’s Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper: 5.40pm local time (4.40pm BST)
Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen on Marshall-Bell: 6pm local time (5pm BST)
Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Duke Of Britain FRH: 6.30pm local time (5.30pm BST)
Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth on Heiline’s Danciera: 6.40pm local time (5.40pm BST)
The Netherlands’ Dinja van Liere on Hermes: 7.18pm local time (6.18pm BST)
Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour on Vamos Amigos: 7.20pm local time (6.20pm BST)
Germany’s Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz: 7.40pm local time (6.40pm BST)

When does the World Dressage Championships grand prix start and finish?

The first rider into the arena for the grand prix special in Herning is José Antomio Garcia Mena riding Divina Royal for Spain, and they go at 1.30pm (12.30pm BST). The reigning world champion in the special, Isabell Werth, will be the final rider to compete tonight, on DSP Quantaz, and she will begin her ride at 7.40pm local time.

Check out the full list of World Dressage Championships times:

Grand prix special times [PDF download]

Isabell Werth delivers powerful performance to shake up team standings ahead of final riders

Lucy Elder — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 15:32:57 +0000

Multiple gold medal winner Isabell Werth and championship debutant DSP Quantaz have helped defending champions Germany edge into the provisional lead in the team competition at the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Championships in Herning.

Isabell and the 12-year-old stallion, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer, scored 77.13% in the World Dressage Championships results today (7 August).

This horse’s passage is breath-taking. He has stepped into the fold following the retirement of Isabell’s top mares, her reigning world grand prix special title-holder Bella Rose 2 and Weihegold OLD, and stepped up to the mark as a championship horse.

“He has a really strong character and a strong mind and sometimes it’s super, sometimes it’s difficult to handle, especially as he is a stallion,” said Isabell, referring to recent competition experiences.

“That made me really focused here and in the preparations for Herning, and I think it helped a lot to learn the horse better and to prepare him better.”

There were no significant blips, though perhaps a smidge of tension crept into their collected walk. The Quaterback son’s one- and two-time changes were crisp and powerful, and the passage and piaffe on the final centreline was electric to watch – the crowd clapping them through the last moments of their test.

“I’m completely happy,” said Isabell. “Maybe I could take a [few] more risks, but I was [riding with context of the] team in the background. We really tried to make no mistakes and to do no mistakes and to really concentrate and focus.

“When you go in the individual, and then you can risk more.”

The judges were split. There was an almost five percent difference between the lowest and highest, which were 73.7% from the judge at H and 78.56% from the judge at B. Three judges had the pair in second, two in fourth, one fifth and one in 11th.

Their overall +77% mark put them just behind Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep and into provisional third.

Isabell, competing at her seventh World Championships, was part of the gold medal-winning side at the 2018 World Equestrian Games where she also took the individual special title with Bella Rose 2. Today’s performance with DSP Quantaz sets a strong charge for Germany to retain that team title.

The morning session on the final day of grand prix has delivered a full shake-up of the team standings. Last night, the Netherlands held the top spot, with Germany in silver and Denmark in bronze. Yesterday’s news is today’s chip paper, to paraphrase the saying.

Germany is now out in front on 154.13, Denmark is less than a mark behind in provisional silver on 153.587, while Britain hold bronze on 153.385. Less than a mark separating the top three teams at this stage, meaning the medals will come down to this fourth and final rotation of riders.

Dressage star says final farewell to ‘most difficult, but most important’ horse of her career

Lucy Elder — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 10:22:39 +0000

German dressage star Isabell Werth’s Olympic, world and European gold medal-winning ride Satchmo 78 has died aged 28.

The “good-looking, sensitive, lovely” Hanoverian gelding, owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and bred by Albert Kampert, spent 25 years with Isabell and the partnership were a fundamental part of the German team.

“This horse taught me humility,” said Isabell. “He was the most difficult, but also the most important horse in my career from the point of view of the trainer and the rider.”

The pair’s dazzling medal collection included individual and team gold at the home World Championships in Aachen in 2006. The following year, they collected individual gold, plus freestyle and team silver at the European Championships in Turin, going on to take Olympic individual silver and team gold at the 2008 Games.

They also finished second in the 2009 World Cup final in Las Vegas, claimed countless international wins and broke the grand prix world record with their performance at Stuttgart in 2005, where they scored 79.958%. The record now stands at 87.46%, set by Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro at Olympia in 2014.

Satchmo returned to Stuttgart aged 17 to bid farewell to competition in a special retirement ceremony.

“I just think it’s wonderful when the horses say goodbye to the sport in a sporty fit and are left with great memories. The horses deserve that too,” Isabell added.

She said that “with a heavy heart” they had to say goodbye to Satchmo on Saturday (30 July).

“My dear Satchi, just the day before you were running happily on the meadow with your beloved Kelly when I made my way to the training camp for the World Championships in Herning. How nice to see you like this,” she said.

“I remembered Aachen 2006 again. What a unique experience we had there. What emotions! We had enough of that in our time together – in every respect. After 25 years together, the fact that I could not be with you at this crucial moment weighs particularly heavily in my heart.

“Bon voyage my great, brilliant fighter and thank you for everything.”

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Olympic eventing medallist named among defending German side for dressage World Championships

Polly Bryan — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 18:19:38 +0000

The German team has been announced for the dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, in August.

Germany are the defending champions, having won team gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2018. A German team has also won gold at every major championship since, but the line-up for this year’s team looks rather different to recent years, with two team rookies among the riders, alongside a German team stalwart and an eventing multi-Olympian making her dressage championship debut.

The following combinations have been selected for the German team at the dressage World Championships:

Ingrid Klimke with 14-year-old stallion Franziskus 15

Owner: Wilhelm Holkenbrink

Breeder: Elisabeth Albers (GER)

Breeding: by Fidertanz, out of Antara, by Alabaster

Frederic Wandres with 15-year-old gelding Duke Of Britain FRH

Owner: Hof Kasselmann

Breeder: Sarah and Tony Pidgley (GBR)

Breeding: by Dimaggio, out of Real Gold, by Rubinstein

Frederic Wandres with 12-year-old gelding Bluetooth OLDOwner: Hof KasselmannBreeder: Gestüt Lewitz (GER)Breeding: by Bordeaux, out of Lorena, by Riccione

Benjamin Werndl with 13-year-old gelding Famoso OLDOwner: Benjamin, Klaus Werndl and Flora KellerBreeder: Lambertus SchniederBreeding: by Farewell III, out of Donna Weltina, by Welt Hit II

Benjamin Werndl with 18-year-old gelding Daily MirrorOwner: Benjamin, Klaus Werndl and Flora KellerBreeder: Dieter KellermannBreeding: by Damon Hill, out of Fiedergirl II, by Florestan I

Isabell Werth with 12-year-old stallion DSP Quantaz

Owner: Victoria Max-Theurer and Madeleine Winter-Schulze

Breeder: Kathrin Damm (GER)

Breeding: by Quaterback, out of Piroschka, by Hohenstein 4

It will be decided closer to the time which horse Frederic and Benjamin, both championship debutants, will ride. Dorothee Schneider and Faustus have also been listed as team reserve.

Ingrid Klimke will make her dressage championship debut following an illustrious eventing career. She has won gold medals at world and Olympic level and was European champion in 2017 and 2019 with SAP Hale Bob OLD.

This will be Isabell Werth’s seventh dressage world championship, and she is also the reigning individual world champion. She will be riding a team debutante in Quantaz, who has taken over the mantle as her top ride this year after the retirement of her two top mares, Bella Rose – with whom she took double gold at WEG in 2018 – and Weihegold OLD.

Isabell’s season with Quantaz has been somewhat chequered: they have previously posted almost 78% in the grand prix, but were eliminated under blood rules at CHIO Aachen, and scored a below-par 69.48% on their last international outing at Kronberg CDI4* in mid-July.

Germany will be without the reigning Olympic and European champion, Benjamin’s sister Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who is due to have her second baby in August, as well as Dorothee Schneider’s top horse Showtime FRH, but all four selected riders have a horse capable of scoring in the mid to high 70s for the grand prix test, meaning this German side is sure to prove competitive.

This year, home side Denmark will start the competition as favourites for team gold. The British team for Herning is set to be announced this week, following the release of the nominated entry list.

Isabell Werth among riders eliminated under blood rules at CHIO Aachen

Polly Bryan — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:53:13 +0000

The reigning world champion, Germany’s Isabell Werth, was one of three grand prix riders eliminated under blood rules at CHIO Aachen last week.

Isabell and her current top ride, the 12-year-old Qatarback stallion DSP Quantaz, were eliminated in the CDIO5* grand prix special after blood was spotted in the horse’s mouth partway through their test. The pair had just begun their line of two-tempi changes and were trending around the 74% mark, when the judge at C, Denmark’s Susanne Baarup rang the bell to call them to a halt. She wiped the stallion’s mouth with a tissue, which showed the presence of blood.

Isabell Werth being eliminated from the special did not result in team disqualification, and her score of 76.41% from the grand prix still stood, helping the German team, also featuring Benjamin Werndl (Famoso OLD), Frederic Wandres (Duke Of Britain FRH) and Ingrid Klimke (Franziskus 15), finish second in the Nations Cup. This was the first time the home side has not triumphed at CHIO Aachen since 2010 – with Denmark claiming a decisive victory in the team competition.

It is also the first year since 2016 that Isabell has not landed the title of Aachen grand champion, with Dane Cathrine Dufour taking the honour instead.

Two USA combinations were also eliminated under blood rules at Aachen; the team fortunes suffered a blow when Katie Duerrhammer and Quartett were eliminated in the CDIO5* grand prix special, while blood was also spotted in the mouth of Adrienne Lyle’s CDI4* ride Salvino during the freestyle, resulting in her elimination.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt Salvino feeling so soft, supple, and powerful as he did today in the warm-up or in the show ring,” said Adrienne of the 15-year-old Sandro Hit stallion, with whom she won team silver at the Tokyo Olympics. “The feeling he gave under the lights was just phenomenal and then, in a sad turn of events, halfway through our test he must have bitten his lip because the judge noticed there was some blood in his mouth and so we stopped our ride. Salvino [was] immediately examined by our team veterinarian to make sure he is ok, and his well-being is our number one priority.

“I feel sorry for Salvino that he didn’t get to show off his favourite final centre line, but judging by how proud he was of himself back at the barn, I think he is still convinced that he was the winner.”

Meanwhile, Aachen debutante Katie was eliminated shortly after the conclusion of her 71.3% special, when blood was found to be present on 14-year-old Quaterback gelding Quartett’s bottom lip during the post-test stewards’ check.

“I am so proud of Quartett for laying down a great grand prix special today, mistake free until our last extended trot where unfortunately he tripped and bit the bottom corner of his lower lip. We still finished with a 71.3% but sadly there was a bit of blood from [the] lip bite present at bit check,” said Katie. “While I’m very sorry and disappointed for my teammates that my score couldn’t count, this doesn’t take anything away from how proud I am of this amazing little-horse-that-could.”

The USA team, which also included Benjamin Ebeling (Indeed), Charlotte Jorst (Kastel’s Nintendo) and Steffen Peters (Suppenkasper), finished seventh, just behind the British team of Lottie Fry (Everdale), Laura Tomlinson (Fallatijn), Lara Butler (Kristjan) and Susan Pape (Harmony’s Eclectisch).

Lottie Fry leads the Brits at Aachen, as podium favourites emerge ahead of World Championships

Polly Bryan — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 12:16:01 +0000

Lottie Fry finished best of the Brits in the CHIO Aachen 2022 dressage results, from which Denmark emerged as favourites for home gold at the dressage World Championships this summer.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour dominated both the CDIO5* and CDI4* with her two rides, the British-owned 10-year-old Vamos Amigos in the former and her European silver medallist Bohemian in the latter, while the Brits put in solid performances.

Lottie has the luxury of three potential rides for the worlds and at Aachen her Olympic and European medallist Everdale threw his hat decisively into the ring ahead of selection. The pair finished a fabulous fourth in the grand prix with 76.5%, and although their scores dipped to 73.68% for ninth in the special, they came back strongly to achieve 82.65% for seventh in a hugely competitive freestyle, where just 1.5% covered second to seventh places.

“The special was going really well and was probably one of his best tests right up until the final centre line, where you have to go into the shadows and he had a spook and some mistakes with that,” said Lottie. “It cost us about 3% probably, but I’m still really pleased with Everdale. He is so much more relaxed in the big atmospheres now; he’s really grown up.”

“The freestyle felt really amazing, and he was just incredible,” she added. “It was so nice to be riding in front of a really packed audience – the crowd at Aachen is unlike anywhere else in the world.”

After a busy early campaign with her top grand prix horses, Everdale, Glamourdale and Dark Legend, as well as her upcoming stars – including Inclusive, 11th in the CDI4* at Aachen – Lottie will now focus on training at home ahead of selection for the worlds this month.

Laura Tomlinson, Lara Butler and Susan Pape joined Lottie on the British Nations Cup team, finishing sixth.

Laura’s hot 12-year-old Vivaldi stallion Fallatijn faced his biggest challenge yet in the huge Aachen atmosphere, but he improved on a rather tense, distracted grand prix to score a fraction under 71% with a much more focused ride in the special.

“I really believe when he learns to take a breath and stay relaxed when away from the other horses he will be mega,” said Laura. “Being first to go [in the special] meant we were not in front of the big crowd, which helped ‘Finn’ too.”

Lara also improved her scores over the two tests with the Bechtolsheimer family’s home-bred Polarion gelding Kristjan, scoring 69.7% in the grand prix and 70.1% in the special.

Germany-based Susan rode the Zenon stallion Harmony’s Eclectisch to 69.15% in the grand prix and 68% in the special.

CHIO Aachen 2022 dressage results: Denmark dominate

Denmark won the Aachen Nations Cup for the first time, relegating home side Germany to second, and cementing them as one of the favourites to win team gold at the dressage World Championships in Herning this August.

The Danish line-up of Carina Cassøe Krüth (Heiline’s Danciera), Daniel Bachmann Andersen (Marshall-Bell) and Nanna Skodberg Merrald (Atterupgaards Orthilia) alongside their top performer Cathrine Dufour (Vamos Amigos), are the same quartet who will form the home team in Herning, and they proved unstoppable throughout the competition at Aachen.

Riding the Pidgley family’s 10-year-old Vamos Amigos (by Vitalis out of a Blue Hors Hotline mare), Cathrine achieved a CDIO5* hat-trick, leading the grand prix on 81.54%, the special on 80.06% and the freestyle on 88. 38% – personal best scores for this incredibly talented gelding in each respective test.

“I’m super proud of [Vamos Amigos],” said Cathrine. “I might have had five minutes too much warm-up [in the special], so I had little less power compared to the grand prix, when he was super, super electric. He’s 10 years old and is doing a super job.”

The German team, comprising Isabell Werth (DSP Quantaz), Benjamin Werndl (Famoso OLD), Ingrid Klimke (Franziskus 15) and Frederic Wandres (Duke Of Britain FRH), finished second after Isabell was eliminated in the grand prix special.

Sweden finished third, ahead of the Netherlands in fourth, Spain in fifth and Britain in sixth. The USA took seventh, with Australia eighth.

Disappointment for Lottie Fry as she copes brilliantly with tricky ride at the World Cup Final

Polly Bryan — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 21:51:57 +0000

There was heartbreak for Britain’s Lottie Fry in tonight’s FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany. Her grand prix freestyle with Dark Legend did not go as planned, and they finished well down the order with an uncharacteristically low score of 67.55%.

With the stands packed with noisy crowds in the Leipziger Messe and the hospitality areas by the side of the ring bustling, it proved a very tricky environment for the hot Zucchero son, who put in a big spook just seconds before entering the arena. He proceeded to take fright on the first centre line of their toe-tapping “Let me take you dancing” routine, and Lottie said she had to improvise her floorplan to try to avoid the entire H corner of the arena that was making Darky afraid.

The 26-year-old produced a masterclass of clever, sympathetic riding coaxing a very tense Darky through their routine, and showing plenty of flashes of brilliance between the spooks.

“It was a shame it was today that he got scared, but I’m just glad that he could carry on and we got some confidence back and we could finish the test,” said Lottie, who finished eighth in the short grand prix on Thursday, the opening day of the Dressage World Cup Final.

“I had to change my floorplan to avoid the corner. But we managed to get everything in and I was really proud of how we managed to carry on,” she added. “When you’re in that atmosphere, you don’t have time to think about if it’s good or not – you have just got to do it.”

It was an unfortunate end to the winter season for Lottie and Darky, who have been racking up the plus-80% scores over recent months, with their best to date being the 83.68% they posted in Aachen in September.

“It’s a shame that happened here, but I think we can get the confidence back and hopefully be out this season back in shape,” said Lottie.

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl claimed the title after a brilliant ride on her Olympic champion, TSF Dalera BB, while it was an emotional night for Isabell Werth as she performed her last test on the 17-year-old Weihegold OLD.

‘She leaves her heart in there for us’: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl claims World Cup title on last major outing before baby break

Polly Bryan — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 20:48:49 +0000

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl claimed an emphatic victory at the FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany, tonight (9 April). The reigning Olympic and European gold medallist added another championship win to her remarkable tally with TSF Dalera BB with a huge score of 90.84%.

“Dalera was just amazing, as always, but today it was very, very special,” said an emotional Jessica, who also won Thursday’s short grand prix with the 14-year-old Easy Game mare.

“It’s difficult to find the right words to describe Dalera; she leaves her heart in there for me, for us,” added Jessica, referring to her second child who is due to be born in August. “This is something you can’t ask for and what she offers is so special.”

This is Jessica’s last competition with Dalera before taking a baby break this summer, and admitted it was “a little sad as Dalera is in such good shape”.

“We will use the summer to have a vacation and to keep on doing conditioning training and cantering in the forest – everything we both love, and I already can’t wait to come back.”

The pair’s score this evening was slightly lower than their personal best of 91.73%, that they achieved at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, but Jessica said their test tonight “felt better than in Tokyo”.

“The feeling she gave me was probably the best ever,” she added, and certainly their test sheet was littered with nines and 10s, mostly for the piaffe-passage and the pirouettes. This elegant mare shows such incredible willingness to work, and such impressive ability to sit and use her body while remaining beautifully relaxed that she and Jessica are simply a joy to watch.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB en route to their plus-90% World Cup Final win (Image credit: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Taking the runner-up spot was Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, competing at her first World Cup Final. Cathrine scored 86.16% with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos, the British-owned Vitalis son who is destined one day to become the ride of British junior champion Annabella Pidgley.

“He is only 10 and this was only the second time he has performed with a full crowd. I’m really proud of him and I think he did a super performance today,” said Cathrine.

Germany’s Isabell Werth was not quite able to hang on to the World Cup title for a fourth final in a row, but instead filled third position. It was an emotional night for Isabell, as she made her final trip into a dressage arena with the brilliant mare Weihegold OLD, who is now to be retired, aged 17.

“To retire Weihe and for her to finish at this level with such an atmosphere, it’s a great day, and to receive a standing ovation – that is what I wished for to honour her at her last competition,” said Isabell, who admitted she felt very emotional on the last centre line, when the crowds rose to show their appreciation for this stellar combination.

Danish riders filled out the top five, with Carina Cassøe Krüth producing a stunning performance with Heiline’s Danciera for 84.97% and fourth, while Nanna Skodberg Merrald was fifth with Atterupgaards Orthilia, the former British team horse under Fiona Bigwood.

The night did not go quite to plan for Britain’s Lottie Fry, who displayed masterful riding aboard Dark Legend, but finished in 17th after a tricky ride.

What time will Britain’s Lottie Fry and the other top contenders ride in the Dressage World Cup Final tonight?

Polly Bryan — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 13:44:47 +0000

The much-anticipated FEI Dressage World Cup Final takes place this evening (9 April) in Leipzig, Germany, and whether you are lucky enough to be there in person, or if you will be watching from home, you’ll need to know what time the top riders will be in action.

All 17 riders who took part in Thursday evening’s short grand prix will ride again tonight, with the results from that class determining the starting order for the grand prix freestyle, from which the Dressage World Cup Final winner will be decided.

Britain’s Lottie Fry, who finished eighth in the grand prix with Dark Legend will be the eighth rider into the Leipzig arena tonight, riding at 8.20pm (7.20pm BST). This is Lottie’s first World Cup Final, and even qualifying came as something of a surprise to her.

Thursday night’s winner, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB, is undoubtedly the favourite to win this year’s title, having already wowed the crowds with her plus-84% grand prix win. She will be the last rider into the arena at 10pm (9pm BST) to fight for what would be her first World Cup title, having finished third on three previous occasions with Unee BB.

Before Jessica though, come her main rivals; she will be preceded into the arena by Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, who finished second in the grand prix with over 80% on the very exciting 10-year-old Vivaldi gelding Vamos Amigos. Cathrine will begin her test at 9.50pm (8.50pm BST).

All eyes will be on Germany’s Isabell Werth tonight as well, when she goes at 9.20pm (8.20pm BST). Not only is she the defending champion, having won the World Cup title in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but this will be her brilliant black mare Weihegold OLD’s final trip into a dressage arena. The 17-year-old will be retired after tonight’s competition, and is set to become a broodmare.

Check out the full list of starters for the Dressage World Cup Final [PDF download].

‘It’s right to retire her at the top’: Isabell Werth on Weihegold’s retirement plans and her best memories of the brilliant black mare

Polly Bryan — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:21:34 +0000

On Saturday night at the FEI Dressage World Cup Final, Isabell Werth will ride her last test with the little black mare who has brought her so much success over the past decade, Weihegold OLD. The 17-year-old Don Schufro x Sandro Hit daughter, who is owned by Christine Arns-Krogmann, will be retired after the grand prix freestyle.

Weihegold and Isabell finished third in the short grand prix on the opening day of the World Cup Final, scoring 79.76%, and Isabell said she felt “pleased and proud” of how the mare performed in her final grand prix.

“It is really difficult for a horse who has done maybe 100 normal grands prix to change a do a short grand prix, but she was super. We had just one tiny short change at the beginning [of the line of tempis], the rest – the pirouettes, the piaffe-passage – was really good so I’m completely happy,” said Isabell.

After her retirement, the plan is for Weihe to become a broodmare. She has already produced several offspring by embryo transfer, among them three licensed stallions including the Totilas son Total Hope OLD.

“She will go to have a foal and hopefully she will get a lot of years with a few babies,” said Isabell, who has recently spoken of her own plans surrounding her retirement from the sport.

Weihe has been a fabulous partner for Isabell over the years, contributing seven medals to Isabell’s impressive haul of 50, including Olympic team gold and individual silver in Rio, as well as three back-to-back World Cup victories in 2017, 2018 and 2019. So, what are Isabell’s standout memories of the mare among all the glittering success?

“There are so many that stand out – of course Rio, but also Gothenburg: the European Championships and the great battle between Sönke [Rothenberger] and me,” Isabell told H&H, thinking back to her triple gold in 2017, with her teammate snapping at her heels in both the special and the freestyle but never quite managing to surpass her. “ There was just so little difference between us. And the whole time Weihe was really fantastic and amazing. I’m very proud of her.”

With her fellow German Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on top form with another super mare, TSF Dalera BB, Isabell will have her work cut out trying to add another World Cup triumph to Weihegold’s record in Leipzig. But the most important thing for her is for Weihegold to have the chance to bow out on home soil at the top of her game, with fans present to witness her swansong, and that will certainly be the case.

“It is a pleasure to be here with a sold-out crowd – it’s just great to be able to retire her not in an empty arena,” said Isabell. “I hope we can show a good test on Saturday night like she deserves. I will try to enjoy it; of course I have the pressure to show her as best as possible, more so as it is her last one. But it is the right time. I don’t want to be in the situation where other people say, ‘Oh she looks a bit tired now’. She is in top shape right now and it is the right time to retire her at the top, when she could still do a few tests instead of when she has had enough.”

The grand prix freestyle will start in Leipzig, Germany, on 9 April at 7.10pm (6.10pm BST).

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on flying form in opening round of the Dressage World Cup Final

Polly Bryan — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:13:45 +0000

The FEI Dressage World Cup Final kicked off this evening in Leipzig, Germany (7 April) with the reigning Olympic and European champion waltzing her way to the top of the leaderboard in the short grand prix. Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl rode the delightful 15-year-old mare TSF Dalera BB to a score of 84.79% to score a resounding victory in the first round of competition.

All seven judges had Jessica firmly in the lead with the Easy Game daughter, with whom she won five gold medals in 2021. Her scores this evening ranged from 83.29% up to 86.84% for her virtually flawless round.

“Dalera makes it very easy for me to enjoy it, although I don’t really think about how much I enjoy it during the test as I am always very focused.

“It’s difficult to find the words to describe Dalera – she still feels like she’s improving, it’s incredible, and she is always giving 100%,” said Jessica, for whom this is the last major competition before she takes a break to have her second child, due in August.

“I’m just so happy to be able to ride, as I am pregnant, now in the fifth month, but I feel super fit and so does Dalera. From a sport point of view, it’s a little bit sad that this is the last big competition before a break,” she said, adding that she will work at producing a new freestyle for Dalera during her pregnancy break.

This Dressage World Cup Final was always set to be a showdown between the two leading ladies of German dressage, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Isabell Werth, defending champion and winner of the past three consecutive finals with Weihegold OLD. But Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour established herself as a serious contender for a podium position with a second-place finish tonight riding the young and relatively inexperienced Vamos Amigos, a 10-year-old Vivaldi son who is owned by Britain’s Sarah Pidgley and is one day destined for a partnership with 17-year-old British junior rider Annabella Pidgley.

Cathrine said the gelding was “on fire from the beginning” and admitted she was willing the excited Leipzig crowd not to clap as she entered the arena.

“He is super powerful but also always on the edge,” she said. “I was sitting on the handbrake all the way though; I’m not even riding him 50% at the moment. It’s all just a matter of keeping him calm and giving him confidence.

“At some point he will for sure go to Annabella, but for now he is a handful, and she has Gio to get to know now and also Espe, one of the younger horses I had at my yard,” added Cathrine, who trains Annabella. “For now she needs slightly more experienced horses to get started in grand prix.”

Cathrine’s impressive round pipped defending World Cup champion Isabell Werth into third with Weihegold OLD, the 17-year-old Don Schufro mare who is set to be retired after the Dressage World Cup Final. Isabell scored 79.76% with a slick round.

“It felt very good, and I’m really pleased and proud of Weihe as it was her last grand prix,” said Isabell.

Britain’s Lottie Fry finished in eighth on her World Cup debut after a test which included lots of highlights but also a costly mistake.

Battle of the titans: who will win this year’s Dressage World Cup Final?

Polly Bryan — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 07:32:52 +0000

Who will win this year’s FEI Dressage World Cup Final? It’s a question many are asking as the equestrian world gears up for the first World Cup Final since 2019, taking place from 6 to 10 April in Leipzig, Germany.

A world-class field will line up for the dressage final, but all eyes will be on the two favourites for the title, both of whom are competing on home soil: defending champion Isabell Werth, who will ride her World Cup winner from the past three finals, Weihegold OLD, and the reigning Olympic and European champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who will bring her top horse, TSF Dalera BB. So, which of these two German superstars is most likely to win this year’s Dressage World Cup Final?

Isabell is, of course, the most decorated dressage rider of all time, and will be as hungry as ever to claim her fifth World Cup title, and what would be her fourth with this talented Don Schufro mare. This year’s final will be especially poignant for Isabell – it is set to be 17-year-old Weihegold OLD’s last competitive appearance before she is retired. And if they did come away with the spoils, they would also make yet more history together, as the first combination to win the title on four consecutive occasions.

The World Cup result is decided solely on the grand prix freestyle, and Isabell is known for her stirring freestyle routines, eye-watering levels of difficulty in her floorplans and her pinpoint accuracy, which will stand her in good stead in Leipzig. Although Weihegold and Isabell uncharacteristically finished off the podium in the freestyle at the 2021 European Championships, they have broken the 90% barrier together a whopping six times. However, they have not done so in more than two years, since January 2020. Their best-ever freestyle score is 90.98%, achieved at the Europeans in August 2017.

Jessica and the 15-year-old Easy Game mare Dalera, on the other hand, will arrive in Leipzig off the back of a dream season, when they scooped both team and individual gold medals at both the Tokyo Olympics and the European Championships. Dalera is unquestionably in the prime of her life – she and Jessica have remained unbeaten since before the Tokyo Olympics, and posted 90.55% to win their final World Cup qualifier, at s’Hertogenbosch, less than a month ago.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I don’t want to hide Dalera away just for the outdoor season,” Jessica told H&H earlier in 2022. “She wouldn’t like that, and I always think that I get better when I compete, and she loves it, so we should do it.”

This is their first World Cup Final as a combination, although Jessica has finished third on three previous occasions, and seventh on another, riding Unee BB. She will be hungry for World Cup glory, and also knows it is likely her only shot at a major championship in 2022 – Jessica is currently pregnant with her second child due in August, ruling her out of the dressage World Championships.

Jessica and Dalera have scored over 90% on five occasions internationally, with an all-time best score of 91.7% at the Olympics last July. In fact, the last time they posted under 90% in a grand prix freestyle was in January 2021.

Of the two top German challengers, Jessica appears to be the most likely candidate to capture the World Cup title, but never underestimate Isabell Werth, who will be fighting hard to maintain her dominance, and to finish her great mare’s stellar career on a high.

Dressage World Cup Final 2022: best of the rest

Even dressage can be unpredictable, and the field for this year’s final is littered with talented combinations who could shake things up. One of those is Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, riding at her first World Cup Final. Cathrine will not bring her European individual silver medallist from 2021, Bohemian, with whom she exceeded the 90% marker for the first time on their last outing, at Herning CDI5* in mid-March, but instead has campaigned the younger, relatively inexperienced Vamos Amigos at the World Cup circuit.

Make no mistake, though, this Vitalis son, who is owned by Britain’s Sarah Pidgley, may only be 10 years old with just a handful of international shows under his belt, but he could definitely make a splash in Leipzig. The pair scored almost 87% to finish second to Jessica von Bredow-Werndl at their last qualifier, in Neumünster in February, and could be extremely competitive here.

In fact, the entire Danish contingent could prove a threat. Three of the combinations who won team bronze at the Europeans will be in action in Leipzig – expect both Carina Cassøe Krüth (Heiline’s Danciera) and Nanna Skodberg Merrald (Atterupgaards Orthilia) to put in strong bids for the podium.

Britain’s sole representative, Lottie Fry, is another in with a realistic shot at a top-three finish in Leipzig. She will ride Dark Legend, after qualifying for the final somewhat unexpectedly, and this 14-year-old Zucchero is another horse in the form of life right now. The pair posted an all-time best score as a combination at Aachen CDIO5* in 2021, of 83.68%, and they also scored 82.33% at their last show, the World Cup qualifier at s’Hertogenbosch.

“Dark Legend has been going better than ever,” Lottie told H&H. “It’s always incredible to compete alongside the best riders in the world and we’re ready to do our best.”

One rider carries British dressage hopes on World Cup Final debut

Polly Bryan — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 10:10:48 +0000

Lottie Fry will be the sole British rider competing at this week’s FEI Dressage World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany. This will be the first World Cup Final held since 2019, as it was called off owing to coronavirus in 2020 and the EHV outbreak in 2021.

Lottie will ride Dark Legend at what will be the Olympic medallist’s first World Cup Final. The 14-year-old Zucchero x Tango gelding was her British team partner at the 2019 European Dressage Championships, as well as her under-25 European gold medallist in 2018.

“I’m really excited to be going to my first World Cup Final,” Lottie told H&H. “It was actually a little unexpected but Dark Legend has been going better than ever and we managed to qualify at the last minute. It’s always incredible to compete alongside the best riders in the world and we’re ready to do our best.”

Lottie finished in 10th position in the Western European league, following her second-place finish at the London Horse Show in December, and fourth-place finish at s’Hertogenbosch this month.

Just nine riders from the Western European League may qualify for the final, but with a maximum of three riders allowed from one country, Lottie clinched a slot above Germany’s Frederic Wandres, who lost out owing to a late qualification rule change by the FEI, despite the fact he finished fourth in the standings. The current rules allowed his compatriot Helen Langehananberg to take the third German spot behind top-ranked Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and defending champion Isabell Werth, who is automatically allocated a place at the following year’s final.

Jessica will bring forward her Olympic and European champion, the 15-year-old mare TSF Dalera BB (Easy Game x Handryk), for a crack at winning her first World Cup title. Jessica is no stranger to World Cup Finals, having finished third on three occasions, and seventh on another with her former top horse Unee BB. She and Dalera are on top form, having remained unbeaten in international competition since before the Tokyo Olympics, and will likely start the competition as favourites to win.

The World Cup Final looks set to be Jessica’s only major championship in 2022 – she is almost five months pregnant with her second baby, who is due in August, meaning she will miss the dressage World Championships this summer.

Jessica’s main rival will be Isabell Werth, for whom this will be her 19th World Cup Final. She won the last three consecutive finals with the now 17-year-old Don Schufro x Sandro Hit mare Weihegold OLD, and will be riding the mare again at this year’s event.

Also among the starters is European silver medallist Cathrine Dufour, riding for Denmark, another at her first World Cup Final. Catherine will ride the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos, a Vitalis son owned by Britain’s Sarah Pidgley.

Two USA riders will be in action: Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) and Ashley Holzer (Havanna 145), with a total of 13 nations represented in total.

All 18 riders will first contest the short grand prix on Thursday 7 April, with all those who achieve 60% going forward to the grand prix freestyle on Saturday 9 April. The winner of the freestyle will be crowned the World Cup champion for 2022.

Five-time Olympian Isabell Werth reveals plan to retire from sport

Polly Bryan — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 19:35:28 +0000

The world’s most decorated equestrian, Germany’s Isabell Werth has spoken about plans for her retirement from the sport after the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Isabell is a five-time Olympian and has won gold at every Games she has ridden at, including team gold at the delayed Tokyo Olympics earlier this year. She plans to contest the next Games in three years time, but has said she will end her competitive riding career after Paris.

“Paris is a turning point,” Werth told the German Press Agency, shortly after having won team gold and individual silver on home soil at the European Dressage Championships in Hagen. “Then at some point [my] active career will end,” said Werth. “Whether that’s 2024 or 2025, I’ll find a sensible deal.”

This is the first time the 52-year-old has discussed her retirement from the sport. She has now revealed she “certainly no longer wants to ride at the age of 60”.

Isabell won team gold with Germany in 1992 (Barcelona), 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney), 2008 (Hong Kong), 2016 (Rio), and also claimed individual gold in 1996 – a feat she has not managed to repeat since, being pipped to the top spot in Tokyo this year by her teammate Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.

Isabell also has nine World Championship and 19 European Championship medals to her name, including both team and individual gold at three consecutive championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Earlier this summer, Isabell announced the upcoming retirement of her top horse Bella Rose, who is the reigning world champion. It was then planned that the 17-year-old Belissimo M mare should perform once more at Aachen CHIO this month, but plans for this were scuppered when she had to undergo colic surgery last week.

Isabell’s other top mare, Weihegold OLD, with whom she has won three World Cup titles, triple European gold in 2017 and team gold and individual silver at this year’s Europeans, is 16 now and not expected to compete at another championship. Isabell’s medal hopes now rest with the 11-year-old Quantaz, who will compete at Aachen this month, and the nine-year-old mare Superb, who Isabell has said could “follow in Bella’s footsteps”.

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Hat-trick for Germany’s golden girl as Charlotte Dujardin scoops individual freestyle bronze; no medal for Isabell Werth

Polly Bryan — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 14:31:11 +0000

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl has completed a golden hat-trick to top the freestyle podium at the European Dressage Championships, with Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin repeating her Tokyo result to claim a fabulous bronze. Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour slotted into the silver medal position — the best individual result of her career.

However, for the first time in six years, Germany’s Isabell Werth will not feature on an individual championship podium, finishing fourth with Weihegold OLD after a couple of mistakes capped her score to 84.89%.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the stunning 14-year-old Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB danced their way through a delightful routine to their La La Land music, scoring 91.02% with every judge having the partnership decisively in the lead. Having won freestyle bronze at the last European Dressage Championships in 2019, they have gone from strength to strength in the years since and are now the reigning Olympic and European champions.

“I’m so grateful to have such a wonderful mare with me and I couldn’t have asked for more. She is wonderful,” said Jessica, who has now won five gold medals in the space of six weeks.

Cathrine and the 11-year-old Bordeaux gelding Bohemian also produced a polished test to their dramatic, emotive Les Misérables soundtrack, scoring 88.43% to improve on their individual bronze medal from the grand prix special.

Charlotte Dujardin and Gio during the freestyle at the 2021 Europeans in Hagen (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Charlotte and the diminutive 10-year-old Apache son Gio rode a stunning round to their Tokyo music, which suits this bouncy gelding down to the ground. Charlotte rode for every mark, and it was just an unfortunate mistake in their second batch of one-time changes, on their joker line, that likely cost them the silver medal. It is testament to the quality of the rest of their test that even with a major mistake they came away with 87.45%, just 1% less than their Tokyo score.

“He tried his heart out and I couldn’t have asked for much more. I made a mistake in the last set of ones on the centre line, but he tried incredibly hard and it was more of a rider error – I waited for the music, then thought, ‘Oh no I’m not ready’, and I got in a kind of muddle. But apart from that it was super, so I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Charlotte.

Britain’s Lottie Fry rode another super test to secure yet another personal best of 84.72% to finish fifth, just 0.7% behind Isabell Werth. This is Lottie’s third personal best from three tests at the Europeans with the fantastic Lord Leatherdale stallion Everdale.

Carl Hester did not have the easiest ride on the sensitive En Vogue, who was quite affected by the atmosphere at Hagen. They posted 78.37% to finish 13th.

Isabell Werth puts on brave face to win medals in Hagen as her top horse Bella Rose undergoes colic surgery

Polly Bryan — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 22:40:55 +0000

Isabell Werth could be forgiven for having other things on her mind at the European Dressage Championships after it transpired that her top horse, Bella Rose, had just undergone colic surgery.

The 17-year-old Belissimo mare Bella Rose, Isabell’s European champion from 2019, who won team gold and individual silver at the Tokyo Olympics, had colic and was rushed into surgery the night before, while Isabell was riding Weihegold OLD to a team gold medal for Germany in Hagen.

“Yesterday I got a call from home to say that she’s colicking, so I was really nervous,” said Isabell, who has has frequently described Bella Rose as her horse of a lifetime and her “dream horse”.

“In the evening we had to ring the clinic; with this type of colic they have to operate as something was in the wrong position. It’s bad luck, and not a typical colic situation – they had to operate at the right time.

“I was so happy that I was riding in the evening when Bella Rose had woken up. This morning, she was allowed to eat her first grass, and she looked really good, like normal. She needs to be [at the clinic] for a few days then if everything stays normal we can bring her back in a few days,” continued Isabell, after winning individual silver in the grand prix special this evening (9 September).

“I am so happy and thankful to the vets that they operated on her at the right time,” she added.

Aged just 10, Bella Rose and Isabell competed at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG), where they posted 81.53% in the grand prix to finish second to Valegro. But then the mare was withdrawn from the rest of the Games due to an injury.

What followed was four years away from the sport during which no one, including Isabell, could be sure Bella Rose would ever return to compete at the top level. But in 2018, return she did, dazzling the dressage world with her performance at WEG in Tryon, USA, winning team gold with Germany, and being crowned individual champions too. The repeated the feat at the Rotterdam Europeans the following year, and added more medals this summer in Tokyo.

The mare had been due to make one final competitive appearance before being retired, at Aachen CHIO later this month, but this will now be thrown into doubt.

‘The best feeling he’s ever given me’: Lottie Fry delivers another personal best for top five finish at European Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 22:00:37 +0000

Lottie Fry claimed the best individual championship finish of her career so far when finishing fifth in this evening’s grand prix special at the European Dressage Championships in Hagen.

She rode her own and the Van Olsts’ Lord Leatherdale x Negro stallion Everdale to a huge score of 78.15% – bettering their personal best in this test, which they achieved earlier this year. This was also a second personal best of the European Dressage Championships for Lottie Fry, who also achieved a personal best in the grand prix on Tuesday (7 September).

Lottie found herself sandwiched between her teammates, with Charlotte Dujardin and Gio finishing fourth, and Carl Hester taking sixth place on En Vogue.

“That was the best feeling Everdale’s ever given me in a test,” exclaimed Lottie afterwards. “He was so concentrated and he just gave me this massive canter. The changes were only just fitting in the arena – they were huge. He gave everything he had in there and it was a really cool feeling.”

Lottie was visibly riding for every mark possible throughout her test – exactly what was needed in such exceptionally strong company.

“I think when you go in after Cathrine Dufour and before Jessica von Bredow-Werndl you have to make sure you’re standing your ground,” laughed Lottie, who said she was also particularly pleased with Everdale’s half-passes, extended trots and his final centre line.

“He loves a crowd too as he is a real show-off. It was quite exciting when we first went in and the whole arena was cheering Cathrine before us. He got excited but as soon as I went down the centre line he was concentrating and ready to do his job.”

European Dressage Championships: who won the medals?

It was Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her Olympic gold medallist TSF Dalera BB who topped the podium, with the defending European champion Isabell Werth settling for silver – especially impressive when Isabell’s mind had been elsewhere with her top horse Bella Rose having just had colic surgery.

But she was partnering her hugely 16-year-old experienced mare Weihegold OLD, a triple European gold medallist in 2017 and multiple World Cup champion.

“I knew I had to fight to take all the risks I could take,” said Isabell. “Weihe is so experienced in this business – more in the freestyle than in the special, but this was really one of her best specials.

“I was really pleased with the extensions today and especially the piaffe-passage and the last centre line I think was amazing. And there were no big mistakes,” she added.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour added individual bronze to her team bronze from yesterday. This is Cathrine”s fourth individual European medal, but her first on this horse, the 11-year-old Bordeaux son Bohemian.

The pair finished fourth individually at the Olympics after mixed performances in Tokyo, but the chestnut gelding was back on top form here.

“I tried to take the pressure off Bohemian and just play with him in there; in Tokyo I felt I almost had to push too much,” said Cathrine. “He was really playing along together and it was a fantastic feeling. We found a good balance today and he was way more comfortable in there than in Tokyo.”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl dazzles to claim individual European gold, with agonising finish for Charlotte Dujardin

Polly Bryan — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:06:34 +0000

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl added individual European Dressage Championships grand prix special gold to her Olympic gold with an amazing performance aboard her delightful mare TSF Dalera BB. The pair stormed into the lead from final draw with 84.27% to take a decisive victory in Hagen, Germany.

Jessica’s compatriot Isabell Werth took the silver with Weihegold OLD, scoring 81.7% for their faultless round.

“Compared to the atmosphere in Tokyo, today was totally different – there were many, many spectators, and we are not used to it anymore,” said Jessica. “I realised when we entered the arena that Dalera became even bigger – she pricked her ears and she was excited – she loves to show off.

“She was really excited when I did the extensions in the trot – I really tried not to move because otherwise it could have put her out of balance, because she was so on fire. But it’s a great feeling, especially after the Olympics that she’s still fit and so energetic.”

As in Tokyo, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin battled for the bronze medal, but in a reversal of the Olympic result, it was Cathrine who edged her way onto the podium, posting 81.08%, less than 0.7% behind Isabell. Charlotte and the 10-year-old Apache son Gio finished fourth after a super test for 79.79%.

It may be the toughest position in which to finish, but Charlotte knew she could not have done more.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with ‘Pumpkin’,” said Charlotte. “I pretty much nearly had a clear round, so for him I’m absolutely delighted. I can’t ask for much more – he’s still a young, inexperienced horse.”

In fact, Brits filled the three spots just below the podium, with Lottie Fry producing yet another personal best aboard the flamboyant stallion Everdale to sit fifth with 78.15%. She snuck ahead of Carl Hester, who slotted into sixth with En Vogue after a brilliant round for 77.31%.

Gareth Hughes ended up 15th with Sintano Van Hof Olympia after achieving 73.72%, but although it is 15 riders who qualify for Saturday’s freestyle, only three riders per nation may go forward, meaning Gareth looks set to miss out.

More to follow…

Who could win individual medals at the European Dressage Championships – and when do the Brits ride?

Polly Bryan — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 20:04:07 +0000

The start list for the European Dressage Championships grand prix special has been released, with all four British riders having qualified to compete for individual honours tomorrow (Thursday 9 September). The top 30 combinations from the grand prix have progressed to ride the grand prix special, which will decide the first of two sets of individual medals at the European Dressage Championships. Here are the European Dressage Championships start times for the grand prix special…

European Dressage Championships start times: when will the Brits ride the grand prix special?

The class begins at 5pm (4pm BST), with all four Brits – who won silver in the team competition – appearing in the second half of the draw.

Gareth Hughes and his own and Judy Firmston Williams’ Sintano Van Hof Olympia: 7.50pm (6.50pm BST)
Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, Sandra Biddlecombe, Lady Anne Evans and his own En Vogue: 8.10pm (7.10pm BST)
Charlotte Dujardin and Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own Gio: 10pm (9pm BST)
Lottie Fry and her own and Van Olst Horses’ Everdale: 10.20pm (9.20pm BST)

When do the other medal contenders compete?

The favourite for individual gold is Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who carried Germany to team gold with her Olympic champion TSF Dalera BB, winning the grand prix with 84.099%. They will be the final combination to ride the grand prix special at 10.30pm (9.30pm BST).

Germany’s Isabell Werth is the reigning European champion, having won triple gold in 2019 and 2017, the latter with her ride here in Hagen, Weihegold OLD. They posted 79.86% to finish second in the grand prix, ahead of Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Gio by just 0.03%. Isabell and Weihegold will ride the special at 9.50pm (8.50pm BST).

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour scored 79.72% in the grand prix, despite an expensive mistake with her talented gelding Bohemian. They will be in serious contention for individual medals here and will ride the special at 10.10pm (9.10pm BST).

Don’t miss a second of the action out in Hagen – find out how to watch the European Dressage Championships.

Check out the full list of European Dressage Championships start times

Isabell Werth takes over the lead to thrust Germany back in front at the European Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:46:21 +0000

Isabell Werth has taken over the lead at the European Dressage Championships in Hagen, Germany, and put the home side right back in contention for the team gold medal.

Germany found themselves in the unfamiliar position of provisional bronze overnight, with Britain sitting in the gold spot after the first day of team competition at the European Dressage Championships, and Denmark in silver. However, aboard her triple European gold medallist from 2017, the 16-year-old Blue Hors Don Schufro daughter Weihegold OLD with whom she is currently ranked number two in the world, Isabell posted 79.86% to elevate her team back into the lead at this stage.

Isabell and Weihegold’s test was accurate and correct, with smart changes, a lovely canter zig-zag and some excellent piaffe and passage work, especially on the final line, but despite this it was the first time the mare has scored below 80% since the World Cup Final in April 2018 – though she did go on to win that title.

With both Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin to come for Britain, and Denmark’s top combination, Cathrine Dufour and Bohemian, yet to ride, German hopes will be relying on their anchorwoman, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her Olympic champion TSF Dalera BB, to produce a plus-80% mark to keep the home side in front.

Carl Hester will be the first British rider in action today with En Vogue at 10.51am (9.51am UK time), with Charlotte Dujardin and Gio going at 2.33pm (1.33pm UK time). For Germany, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB will compete at 2.15pm (1.15pm UK time).

Don’t miss a second of the action out in Hagen – find out how to watch the European Dressage Championships.

Find out when the Brits will ride for team medals at the European Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 20:00:51 +0000

The European Dressage Championships kicks off in Hagen, Germany, tomorrow (7 September) and the times have been released for the grand prix, which acts as the team competition.

Britain has been been drawn as the penultimate of the 15 teams, meaning British riders will be the second-last to ride in each of the four rider rotations, with two pairs from each team of four in action tomorrow and two on Wednesday (8 September).

What times do the Brits ride in the grand prix?

Gareth Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia: 11.13am on Tuesday (10.13am BST)
Lottie Fry and Everdale: 2.59pm on Tuesday (1.59pm BST)
Carl Hester and En Vogue: TBC on Wednesday
Charlotte Dujardin and Gio: TBC on Wednesday

Who are the favourites and when do they ride?

Germany will start the competition as favourites and Britain’s most significant challengers, having won team gold at every major dressage championship since 2015. The same riders claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo in July, though only Jessica von-Bredow Werndl has brought her Olympic horse, the individual gold medallist TSF Dalera BB, to Hagen. Germany have been drawn 12th of the 15 teams.

Dorothee Schneider and Faustus: 10.37am on Tuesday (9.37am BST)
Helen Langehanenberg and Annabelle: 2.41pm on Tuesday (1.41pm BST)
Isabell Werth on Weihegold OLD: TBC on Wednesday
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB: TBC on Wednesday

The grand prix will determine the outcome of the team medals, with the three best scores to count for each team. There are also two sets of individual medals up for grabs, in the grand prix special, which takes place on Thursday evening, and the grand prix freestyle, which happens on Saturday.

The Under-25 European Dressage Championship, which runs alongside the senior competition in Hagen, will also begin tomorrow with the team competition. Britain’s Lucy Amy on Rudy and Lewis Carrier on Diego V will be in action on day one of the competition, with Alex Harrison and Diamond Hill and Ellie McCarthy with GB Londero V Worrenberg riding on Wednesday.

Check out the full list of European Dressage Championships grand prix times

Ciao, Bella! Aachen swansong planned for Isabell Werth’s superstar mare

Lucy Elder — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:56:57 +0000

Isabell Werth’s multiple Olympic, world and European medal-winning mare Bella Rose 2 will compete one final time in a fitting swansong to her glittering career.

The 17-year-old (Belissimo M x Cacir AA) will take to the white boards once more at CHIO Aachen 2021 (10-19 September), which will also host a farewell ceremony for the dressage star.

“Where else?” said Isabell, on Aachen providing the setting for Bella Rose’s final competition.

“We always feel obliged to a special extent to put in a top performance and give this outstanding crowd as much back as possible.”

Aachen is a special venue for the pair. It was one of the first international shows the mare contested on her return to competition in 2018, following more than three years out owing to injury.

The combination won the grand prix and the special, which they repeated the following year with a full house of victories at the show, including scoring 90.45% in the freestyle.

“[We] want to demonstrate our abilities in our last appearance on the big, international circuit,” Isabell added.

The chestnut mare added Olympic individual silver and team gold in Tokyo to her spectacular CV. She is also reigning world and European champion, and helped Germany to the team titles on both occasions. Bella Rose was also part of the gold medal-winning side at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, where she finished second to Valegro in the grand prix on 81.53%, but was withdrawn from the rest of the competition owing to injury, marking the start of her three-and-a-half year absence from the sport.

Isabell announced the mare’s retirement following the pair’s medal-winning performances at this summer’s Olympic Games.

They will now be gunning to make it onto the CHIO Aachen winners’ board one final time before Bella Rose bids farewell to the sport.

Show director Frank Kemperman is keeping plans for the farewell ceremony under his hat, but has promised an emotional farewell for the superstar mare.

World number one horse retires after Tokyo Olympics team gold and individual silver

Polly Bryan — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:47:14 +0000

Germany’s Isabell Werth revealed after winning the Olympic individual silver medal that her “dream horse” Bella Rose 2 will now retire from competition, aged 17.

The Westphalian Belissimo M x Cacir II mare, who is the reigning world and European champion having won double gold in 2018 and 2019, will not be seen at future competitions, but may now be used for breeding.

Bella Rose 2’s career has been one filled with triumph and also heartbreak. Aged just 10, she and Isabell competed at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG), where they posted 81.53% in the grand prix to finish second to Valegro in Normandy. But then, disaster struck, and the mare was withdrawn from the rest of the Games due to an injury.

What followed was four years away from the sport during which no one, including Isabell, could be sure Bella Rose 2 would ever return to compete at the top level. But in 2018, return she did, dazzling the dressage world with a dream performance at WEG in Tryon, USA, winning team gold with Germany, and being crowned individual champions too.

She and Isabell went on to repeat the feat at the European Championships in 2019, and already had set her eye on winning the Olympic title in Tokyo – which had remained beyond Isabell’s grasp since Atlanta in 1996.

Bella Rose retires: her final freestyle

It was not quite to be – a score just shy of 90% left them in silver at the Tokyo Olympics behind Isabell’s compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. This Olympic Games has been the first time Bella Rose 2 has been beaten since the 2014 WEG, but Isabell was delighted with the freestyle performance that she later said was the mare’s last.

“Bella felt fantastic tonight,” said Isabell, who rode to her familiar, yet ever stirring, medley of operatic classics from the likes of Beethoven and Verdi. “When you are able to show what you wanted to show, and there is nothing better to present, then I’m satisfied. She was close, but not quite close enough.”

The emotion in Isabell’s face was clear to see as she rode her final rousing centre line, one-handed, with Bella Rose 2 performing her heart out in a complex piaffe-passage pattern. They posted 95.89% for the artistic score, and a 83.43% technical mark, producing a final score of 89.66%.

A new Olympic champion is crowned – how Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won gold in Tokyo

Polly Bryan — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:38:33 +0000

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is the new Olympic dressage champion, having taken the individual gold medal in resounding style riding TSF Dalera.

The pair had arrived at the Games on a winning streak, and with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. They seemed the most likely combination since Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro to beat world number one Isabell Werth to a gold medal, but the pressure was immense.

The pair rode to the same delightful La La Land music that won them individual bronze at the 2019 European Championships.

“I would be a fool to change it,” laughed Jessica when asked if she had created a new routine for the Tokyo Olympics.

Indeed, the music suits this tall, graceful mare down to a T, and the floorplan is both very difficult but also easy to follow – something always appreciated by judges and spectators alike.

Everything was wonderful – while some horses, notably Dorothee Schneider’s Showtime FRH, appeared tired on this last day of competition, no one would guess how much the 14-year-old Trakehner mare had already given her rider over this past week, with two plus-84% scores in the grand prix and the special.

“What I felt was that from very first second to the last second she was 100% with me and trying her heart out for me to perform,” said Jessica, who finished her test with a classy one-handed centre line. “She was so listening to my aids that I couldn’t do too much or too little. She was incredible tonight.

“The most difficult competitors are my own girls from my own country,” she added, talking about Isabell and Dorothee Schneider. “I couldn’t have done any better and I’m so pleased with Dalera.”

Their enormous score of 91.73% is the first time this pair have broken the elusive 90% barrier in international competition, and where better to do it than the Olympics. Jessica’s teammate Isabell Werth gave it her all with Bella Rose 2, but they couldn’t quite touch 90%.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was crowned Olympic champion, and presented with the gold medal, with Isabell settling for silver and Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin claiming bronze.

Isabell Werth pulls out all the stops in bid for individual Olympic glory

Martha Terry — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:49:33 +0000

World number one Isabell Werth pulled out yet another scintillating test with her brilliant partner Bella Rose 2 in the Tokyo Olympic dressage grand prix freestyle, scoring 89.657%. It wasn’t quite enough to overtake her compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera to take the individual gold, but the pair certainly gave their all in their quest.

Last night in the grand prix special to decide the team podium, Isabell won a record seventh gold. In the freestyle, she was bidding to add an individual Olympic title to the world and European crowns she already holds with this 17-year-old mare.

But after Jessica had posted 91.732%, the pressure was on Bella Rose 2 to produce a personal best in the twilight of her career. The mare gave her most expressive performance of the three tests in Tokyo just when it mattered. They posted a 95.886% artistic score, and 83.429% technical mark, to finish just over 2% adrift of Jessica.

“Bella felt fantastic tonight,” Isabell said. “When you are able to show what you wanted to show, and there is nothing better to present, then I’m satisfied. She was close, but not quite close enough.

“There’s not 10 winners, there’s only one and so we have to decide just one,” Isabell added. “It’s a sport and that’s what I enjoy. Sometimes you have that last point to win, and sometimes not.”

A stirring display in quest for Olympic gold

The Tokyo Olympics was the first time that Bella Rose 2 has been beaten in international competition since 2014.

The rousing operatic music suited the mare’s magnificent paces and brave extended canter. It was a stirring display with Bella vindicating Isabell’s decision to choose the mare because she always digs so deep.

Isabell also won individual silver in Rio, riding Weihegold OLD. She was last crowned Olympic champion in 1996, and few would bet against her returning in Paris for another attempt.

Bronze for Charlotte Dujardin as new Olympic dressage champion is crowned

Martha Terry — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 12:16:51 +0000

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is the new individual Olympic dressage champion after a stunning freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics. Fifth from last to go, the German rider produced a fabulous test on her 14-year-old mare, TSF Dalera, to score 91.732%.

“I couldn’t have done any better and I’m so pleased with Dalera,” said Jessica. “She gave her whole heart for me and was amazing.”

Jessica admitted she was even more nervous trying to watch her fellow German riders complete their tests than she was riding her own.

“The most difficult competitors are the girls from my own country,” she said.

It was a one-two for Germany, with Jessica’s compatriot Isabell Werth next up on the podium. Isabell and Bella Rose 2 did their utmost to add the Olympic title to their world and European ones, but had to settle for silver with 89.657%.

Isabell said she was satisfied with the result as Bella Rose had done her best.

“Sometimes you have the last point to win, and sometimes not. It’s a sport and that’s what I enjoy,” she said.

Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Gio’s score of 88.543% was a huge personal best for the young and green chestnut. Charlotte, the defending Olympic champion, had already said winning team bronze was like a gold for this stage in their career. This was only the third international grand prix freestyle of Gio’s life.

“I just went out there knowing I wasn’t going to go down without a fight,” said Charlotte, now the most decorated female British Olympian in history with six medals from three Olympics. “But I also wanted to enjoy it and have fun, and I really did. This might be bronze but he gave me absolutely everything and he’s a winner in my eyes.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The final combination into the arena, Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH, could well have knocked Charlotte off the podium to complete a German clean sweep, but tonight was not their night. Their freestyle carried too many errors by their high standards, and scored 79.432% to finish 15th.

All three British riders excelled themselves, with Carl Hester finishing eighth on En Vogue on 81.81% and Olympic debutant Lottie Fry taking 13th on Everdale with plus-80%.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour (Bohemian) just missed out on the medals in fourth, while US newcomer Sabine Schut-Kery (Sanceo) was fifth and Dutchman Edward Gal (Total US) sixth.

H&H’s Tokyo horse of the day: Bella Rose 2 – ‘I love this horse and I hope she loves me too’

Martha Terry — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:56:41 +0000

Isabell Werth was ecstatic with the performance of her favourite mare, Bella Rose 2, after the German dressage team clinched gold at the Tokyo Olympics. The world number ones are the reigning world and European champions and will be all out to add the complete set with the individual Olympic title in tomorrow’s grand prix freestyle (Wednesday, 28 July).

In the grand prix last weekend, the 17-year-old chestnut topped her group on plus 82% but some of her work looked a little more laboured than we are used to seeing from this brilliant combination, with a mistake in the pirouette. Today, by contrast, she was scintillating, setting the scene from the start with a 10 for her first piaffe.

“She was just a bit more tense on the first day,” explained Isabell. “She was in top form, but I had to deal a bit with her temperament. That’s also an advantage. She is 17 but you could say she is 12. She wants to go, and sometimes she needs a bit of time to cope with the situation. Today she was relaxed and felt really super.”

“I thought she should score 88%!”

Isabell’s devotion to this mare, who is by Beliissimo M x Cacir AA, is palpable. She has other, younger horses coming up through the ranks – but Bella Rose holds a special place in her heart.

“I love this horse and I hope she loves me too,” she said. “It’s such an amazing feeling – all riders who know how difficult it is to build up a horse to this point know how I feel – it’s a gift.”

Never mind that this grand prix special test scored only 1% higher than the grand prix, Isabell knew what she had achieved.

“I’m so proud of Bella, she was fantastic,” she said. “I felt [the score would be] more than 88%! It was one of our best tests and I think she deserves a better mark, but it is like it is. I’ve been in the squad long enough to deal with it and cope with it.”

Isabell’s team gold medal is her seventh – a new record for Olympic golds won in a single discipline. And she’s not done yet – with Bella just settling into her stride, she’ll be pushing for the top of the podium tomorrow.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tokyo Olympics team dressage final: medals for Britain and a knockout US test

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

H&H’s Tokyo horse of the day: the Lusitano stallion who stepped up to fill his ‘brother’s’ shoes

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

H&H’s Tokyo horse of the day: the ‘powerful but sensitive’ 10-year-old Totilas son

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tokyo Olympics team dressage final: medals for Britain and a knockout US test

Martha Terry — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 14:43:59 +0000

The Tokyo Olympics dressage medals were decided today. And what a fascinating day of sport it was, with the medal table flipping right up to the penultimate rider. Here’s what you need to know…

Things didn’t go entirely Britain’s way. Coming into the final day’s team competition, Britain were close up to Germany in the silver medal position. But small mistakes in both Lottie Fry and Charlotte Dujardin’s tests pegged their scores back below the scintillating personal bests required to knock Germany off top spot. Plus, a knock-out test from the third American rider… So, it was Germany in gold, the US in silver and Britain in bronze.

Find out what Lottie had to say about her test, and how she kept her cool when Everdale was feeling hot

Carl Hester pulled a stunning test out of the bag. His ride En Vogue suffers from nerves and Carl knows he’s treading a tightrope to keep the 12-year-old gelding relaxed enough to perform at his dynamic best. They did a super job, scoring 78.34%, to keep Britain in silver at that point. Lottie Fry kept her cool despite an early break into canter on a lively and expressive Everdale to maintain Britain’s standing, but our grasp was beginning to slip.

Hear from Carl about his test, and how proud he was of En Vogue showing off his talent

Charlotte Dujardin had an immense amount of pressure on her shoulders entering the ring on young Gio. He had already recorded a personal best in the grand prix, but he needed to push out another one today to hold off a strong challenge for the silver medal from the US. Gio’s early scores were trending at just over 80% which might just have secured the silver, but the combination of a US score beyond all predictions and a mistake in Gio’s one-tempis meant the Brits had to settle for bronze. Nonetheless, Britain has fielded three horses competing at their first ever championships and come home with medals – the future is looking very bright.

Find out why bronze is gold in Charlotte’s eyes

The horse we all want to take home: Sabine Shut-Kery’s ride Sanceo. The 15-year-old stallion by San Remo smashed his personal best by some 4% to score 81.596%, lifting the US team above Britain.

Find out how Sabine developed her passion for dressage

The top score of the day: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl posted 84.681% on her light and athletic mare TSF Dalera. They scored an abundance of 10s – 23 in total – with the piaffe and passage being particular highlights in an all-round stunning test.

We chat to Jessica about her brilliant mare TSF Dalera

Germany’s Isabell Werth has now won her seventh Olympic gold medal, which is the world record for gold medals won in a specific discipline. Tomorrow she bids to extend the record to take an eighth, riding her beloved 17-year-old Bella Rose.

Hear what Isabell has to say about striving for Olympic gold

Spain became the first nation to invoke the substitution rule. José Antonio García Mena, switched from Sorento 15, whom he rode in the grand prix, to Divina Royal for the final. Sorento was “a little sensitive on one leg” and so the chef d’equipe and team vet made the decision not to risk the gelding. Eleven-year-old Divina Royal scored 73.754%, a personal best.

“We did our first international show in April,” said José. “She is a fantastic mare, one of the best horses in my life.”

Well, there you have just a taster of this eventful third day of dressage in Tokyo. Tomorrow is the final day, the grand prix freestyle for the individual medals. Stay tuned for more coverage, including the third instalment of our new daily Tokyo podcasts, which will be available for you to enjoy shortly.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tokyo Olympics dressage day two: thrilling highs, devastating lows – and good news for the Brits

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘This has been my dream for four years’: why Isabell Werth rates Bella Rose as the best she’s ever had

Find out exactly why Bella Rose is the best horse world number one Isabell Werth has ever had

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tokyo Olympics dressage day one highlights: huge personal bests and orange tailcoats

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Germany win Olympic gold in Tokyo, while Britain claim bronze, USA silver

Polly Bryan — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 14:05:27 +0000

Germany have reclaimed the Olympic dressage team gold medal with three plus-80% performances in the grand prix special – which solely decided the Olympic dressage team medals in Tokyo. Meanwhile the USA have overtaken to Britain to claim the silver medal, while Britain bring home the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

The all-female German team of Isabell Werth (Bella Rose), Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Dalera) and Dorothee Schneider (Showtime FRH) are the same trio that won European gold in 2019 and they continued their dominance of the sport here in the fight for the Olympic dressage team medals. Dorothee bettered her grand prix performance to post 80.6%, while Isabell received 83.3%. Last-to-go Jessica was riding for the gold, and lived up to all expectations with her second plus-84% test of the Games.

The battle for silver was much closer. Britain had maintained a hold on silver throughout the team final thus far, but the USA’s Sabine Schut-Kery could not have picked a better occasion on which to produce her first ever plus-80% test with Sanceo. She and the 15-year-old San Remo stallion posted 81.6% – an enormous personal best – to lift USA above Britain.

It was up to Charlotte Dujardin to pull Britain back into the silver medal spot, and she rode a cracking test with the 10-year-old Gio – who has performed just one international grand prix special in his life before now. A bit of greenness showed through, however, and a small mistake behind in the one-time changes cost them dearly. The score was still excellent – 79.54% – but it meant Britain missed out on silver by just 24 points – under 1%.

Denmark claimed fourth, after mistakes from their top rider Cathrine Dufour resulted in 77.72%, which is far below her and the 11-year-old Bohemian’s best. The Netherlands claimed fifth, with their talisman Edward Gal scoring 79.98% aboard the flashy Totilas stallion Total US. Sweden took sixth, with Spain seventh and Portugal eighth.

Britain maintain grip on silver ahead of last group in Olympic dressage team final

Polly Bryan — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:25:07 +0000

Britain have held on to their silver medal position after two groups of riders in the Olympic dressage team final – the grand prix special.

Germany have remained in gold after a stunning round from world number one Isabell Werth, who slammed 83.3% (83.298%) onto the scoreboard with her “dream horse’ Bella Rose. Meanwhile Britain’s Lottie Fry scored 76.85% with Everdale after a very assured performance that just featured one mistake – a break to canter in the first passage to extended trot transition.

“I was really happy – it was a shame we had one mistake near the beginning, but I kind of really picked him up after that. I thought, ‘We can’t afford to lose anymore [marks]’ and he listened to that and really gave everything from that point. A lot of things about it were better than the grand prix,” said Lottie.

Carl Hester had already banked a super score for Britain, achieving plus-78% with En Vogue, to give Britain confidence.

The USA have bypassed Denmark to occupy the bronze medal spot, while Denmark sit fourth ahead of the Netherlands in fifth. Spain, who qualified in eighth position before the slates were wiped clean, have risen to sixth, ahead of Sweden in seventh and Portugal in eighth.

Just one rider from each team is yet to perform, and they will run in reverse order of merit, with Charlotte Dujardin and Gio being the penultimate rider. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl – the highest scorer from the grand prix – will be the last into the arena on TSF Dalera, riding for the gold medal.

Still to come from the USA is Sabine Schut-Kery, who produced a huge personal best on Saturday with Sanceo. She will be hoping to hang on the bronze, while Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour will be fighting to push her nation back onto the podium, riding Bohemian.

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Olympic medal contender withdraws from key selection trial, another hopeful retires

“Her welfare and best interests come first”

“As a strong contender for this year’s Olympic team, I had high hopes for this mega-talented mare,” said Lyndal. “However the decision to move forward, or not as fate has decided, has unfortunately been a simple one.

“Elvive sustained an injury in the final moments before entering the arena in Lier for the special, where she was in top form and was highly placed in the grand prix. Despite the team’s best efforts, we cannot help her return to top sport.”

Lyndal added that her 10-year-old mare Dante’s Herzchen, who made her grand prix debut in March, will not be stepping up for Olympic team contention. “This talented mare has an amazing future ahead and I want to give her the time to develop and nurture this process,” she said.

“Horses like her don’t come along very often in a lifetime and her welfare and best interests come first.”

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Top horse claims 58th international grand prix victory in his ‘farewell dance’

“Tonight is the night! Now it’s time to cross your fingers once more for our farewell dance,” said Isabell ahead of their freestyle performance.

Isabell and Emilio made their international debut together at the Odense CDI2*, Denmark, in October 2014. Their first grand prix victory came the following year on home soil at the Perl CDI4*.

During his career Emilio recorded 58 international grand prix wins, including 15 World Cup qualifiers.

Isabell said she was “very proud” of Emilio following their final performance at Wiesbaden.

“He deserves to say goodbye in front of such a great setting,” she said.

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The combination were among the favourites to win the competition and had the highest average freestyle score in qualifying (87.41%). It was also likely to be a farewell appearance for the 18-year-old gelding, who is owned by Madeline Winter-Schulze.

Isabell will now ride DSP Quantaz who won the World Cup qualifier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. “He is in very good shape and I hope we can prove our form there,” she said.

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‘There have been very ugly pictures’: Isabell Werth speaks out about controversy in dressage

“There have been very ugly pictures, which need consequences. I am however worried that it is a controversy that divides us, although actually there is one thing that combines us and that is the love of horses. That is why we should sort a few things out,” she said.

“It is good that we set ourselves a high bar. I try, however, not to make quick judgements of events from afar that I have not witnessed personally. In the past 35 years I have won many medals and have brought fantastic horses into the sport.

Isabell said she went to Andreas Helgstrand’s yard for the first time four years ago, and thanks to her long-term owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze, Joshua joined her stable.

“Since then I have been there many times. During these visits I have never seen any form of incorrect riding or any form of incorrect behaviour. Actually, the opposite is the case,” she said.

“In the meantime my students and I have bought quite a few horses from Andreas, that are all healthy and some are already successful in sport. We are very happy with all of them.”

Isabell added that she was “surprised” about the footage of and statements from former Helgstrand Dressage employees shown in TV2’s documentary Operation X.

“Although this did not happen at the establishment where Andreas trains himself, it remains his responsibility. I have spoken with him openly and in depth about this. There is however one thing that needs our attention; he was not pictured on any of the horses,” she said.

Isabell added that she believes it is important that in the future “we can have an honest and fair discussion, which will show the difference between bad riding and animal abuse”.

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Two top horses move to new riders while Helgstrand barred from team duties

Both horses’ nationalities have been updated on the FEI database, ahead of the 15 January Olympic transfer deadline.

“Both horses are at the peak of their careers, so it only makes sense that they should have optimal conditions to develop their sporting potential while Andreas Helgstrand is out of competition in 2024,” said the Helgstrand spokesman.

Isabell said she is “very proud and grateful to welcome this outstanding horse”.

“I would like to give special thanks to Madeleine Winter-Schulze, Bolette Wandt, and Andreas Helgstrand for facilitating this partnership,” she said.

Bolette said Wendy and Isabell are the “perfect match”.

“I admire Jovian. He is an absolutely fantastic horse, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to ride him,” said Patrik.

“I have been a fan of his since Andreas bought him. He has qualities beyond this world – when he trots, it’s like he’s trotting on clouds. I will do everything I can to do him justice and hope that we develop a good and fruitful partnership together.”

Andreas said Wendy and Jovian are “two absolutely fantastic horses, and it’s of course, a bit sad to say goodbye to them”.

“However, I am most of all happy and proud that we have made agreements with two of the world’s absolute best dressage riders, allowing both horses to showcase their worth and continue on their journey towards the stars,” he said.

The Helgstrand spokesman added that the stable “looks forward to following the new partnerships closely”.

“There is no doubt that it will be an exciting journey full of success,” he said.

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Whether or not Touchdown maintains his position within the top 10 may depend on whether Patrik opts to campaign him at the Europeans over his other talented grand prix horse Forever Young – unconfirmed at the time of writing – but there is no doubt Touchdown is among the best in the world.

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The pair scored 90.48% – the ninth time they have exceeded the 90% marker – to finish 3% ahead of runners-up Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter.

“It was really hot in there and she again was a little bit scared but she trusted me 100%, that was the difference tonight. I was confident and we were mirroring each other, she was confident and I got confident. She was excited but she trusted me from the very first step”, said Jessica.

Isabell and Emilio made their international debut together at the Odense CDI2, Denmark, in October 2014. Their first grand prix victory came the following year on home soil at the Perl CDI4.