Dressage

The spectators clapped in rhythm, the horse owner, Madeleine Winter-Schulze, wiped a stolen tear from her eye and Isabell Werth clenched her fist in triumph. She celebrated an amazing freestyle routine with Emilio in the Grand Finale of the CHIO Aachen 2018 in the Deutsche Bank Prize.

After today’s freestyle, Isabell Werth definitely goes down in CHIO history as the Queen of the Deutsche Bank Stadium. Today’s triumph is the twelfth in her career in the Deutsche Bank Prize, Emilio the fourth horse that she had steered to victory in Aachen. Werth left the dressage arena with the 12-year-old Westphalian-bred Ehrenpreis son on a personal best score of 87.625 percent. Second place went to the US American rider, Kasey Perry-Glass with her Danish-bred Goerklintgaards Dublet by Diamond Hit on a score of 85.205, followed by her fellow countrywoman, Laura Graves with Verdades by Florett As (85.085).

After a mistake that cost valuable points, the Danish rider Cathrine Dufour ranked fourth with Cassidy (84.835). Helen Langehanenberg delivered the second best German result with Damsey (5^th/82.575). Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis. Jr, finished seventh (81.295). Sixth place was claimed by the Danish rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen with Blue Hors Zack, who was the only rider in the freestyle test to achieve a score of 10 for the degree of difficulty – which makes up one tenth of the overall score (82.195).

Names, scores and nationalities confirm Isabell Werth’s conclusion of the days at the Soers: “That was an exciting week for us all!” A week with victories and defeats for favourites, surprising victories and comebacks, which began with a below average performance in the Grand Prix for Werth, continued with a triumph in the Spéciale and climaxed with the best ever freestyle routine with Emilio in their career. Emilio seemed to gain confidence and courage from movement to movement and danced in harmony to music by Beethoven, Puccini and Verdi, which in spite of it being 30 degrees in the shade caused a goose bump shiver to crawl down one’s spine. As the bay horse passaged down the final centre line, the crowd started clapping to the music, Isabell Werth lifted one hand to greet and rode the last few metres of the salute one-handed. She had hardly come to a halt before thunderous applause broke out. The horse owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze wiped a tear from her eye and Isabell Werth could hardly praise Emilio enough. What a ride. So light, so harmonious, that’s what dressage is about!

Up until now Laura Graves was seen to be Werth’s most serious rival. And indeed the rider from the USA won the Grand Prix with Verdades. However, in the Spéciale, which she managed to beat Werth in last year, her horse spooked at a camera and totally lost the thread. Today, the KWPN-gelding was back to his usual top form. But that last touch of charisma lacked today that decides between victory and defeat.

In any case, Graves‘ training colleague, Kasey Perry-Glass – both train with the former Olympic participant  Debbie McDonald – succeeded in beating the rider, who has already notched up a fourth place at the Olympic Games, for the first time ever, as well as all other German riders apart from Werth. That is definitely a statement too!

Kasey Perry-Glass competed in Europe for the first time in 2016 and caused a stir with her elegant dark bay horse. However, the performances of the pair remained under expectations in 2017, here in Aachen too. Afterwards the rider gave her sports partner a break. “He needed it and so did I. We changed the training around, didn’t drill the movements as much and made the training more diversified. And it paid off because he came back stronger.” Indeed – it was a joy to watch the two of them celebrate their freestyle to the film music from “Lord of the Rings.” In fact, the entire competition was a joy to watch. A worthy finale to the dressage competitions at the World Equestrian Festival!

Isabelle Werth (GER)

“I am so happy with Emilio. We were able to improve day by day here in Aachen. Today he was back to his top form. In my opinion that was our best Grand Prix so far. The atmosphere here in this stadium with the fantastic crowd is simply gigantic. Our ride fitted in so well with the music. The feeling when the crowd cheered and clapped when I rode the last centre line was simply indescribable. Simply a fantastic day! And all of that after this extremely exciting week with its ups and downs. Nobody knew what was going to happen the next day, whether a rider would have a good day or a bad day. It really was a thrilling dressage week. Even the weather played along this week!”

“The CHIO Aachen really is an exceptional show. Everyone knows that I love Aachen! Aachen is the best show in the world alongside Olympic Games and Championships. The whole atmosphere, this combination between sporting event and a folk festival is something totally special.”

Kasey Perry-Glass (USA)

“I have always believed in my horse. It has been a long journey. 2016 was our first Grand-Prix year and we both came up very fast. Somehow that became too much. 2017 was a learning curve for us. Then, I gave him a break and I needed a break too. That paid off because he has come back stronger. And we put in a great performance today in Aachen. We were well attuned to each other and my horse was extremely eager to demonstrate his skills. I am simply delighted with this result and am happy to be up here with these guys.”

Laura Graves (USA)

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to demonstrate our top performance yesterday and made a few mistakes that are very untypical for us. That was a shame, but that is our sport – especially when one is competing against so many other top international riders. One never knows in advance who is going to head the ranks in the end. That is the challenge in our sport to be able to call up top performances at the right moment in time. Isabell is right it really was a very exciting and crazy dressage week in Aachen (laughs). My horse was still a bit nervous like yesterday. I have to give him a bit more time from show to show to get used to this stadium atmosphere.”

Silence in the dressage arena? Not in Aachen. Okay, not always. There was definitely a fantastic atmosphere this evening during the LUMILEDS Prize, the Grand Prix Freestyle of the CDI4* Tour, when Shelly Francis was presented with the golden rosette and Ingrid Klimke let Franziskus dance to the sounds of DJ Ötzi!

“That was the best freestyle test we have ever performed!” the US American rider Shelly Francis blurted out after riding to victory with Danilo on a score of 79.305 percent. “It was great fun! It was fantastic! I was so happy that I cried,” she raved. “Brave Junge,” she praised her horse with an unmistakable American accent. Hey, German? “Well, it is a German horse!” To be precise an Oldenburger. “It wasn’t my best Grand Prix. Which is why I was simply overjoyed that he performed so well today, regardless of the result.” Indeed, it sufficed to take the victory. To top everything she was given a champagne shower by Chef d’Equipe, Robert Dover, after the prize-giving ceremony.

Corks were popped by the Klimke family too after Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus had, according to own accounts, performed the best freestyle of their joint career, which was rewarded by the judges with 78.390 percent and 2^nd place. “He was better than ever,” the overjoyed master of riding commented when she rode out of the stadium to the thunderous applause of the crowd. “He loves it when the crowd cheer and clap!” So, it certainly wasn’t quiet in the arena tonight. Franziskus flourishes when the spotlight is turned on and the curtain goes up! It moved his owner, the stallion keeper, Wilhelm Holkenbrink, to tears because he had always dreamed of seeing one of his horses perform  in Aachen and now he even has one that earned a standing ovation in the Deutsche Bank Stadium.

The US riders had a second reason to celebrate tonight, because Olivia Lagoy-Weltz finished third with her Danish horse, Lonoir, on a score of 77.435 percent.

The master of riding, Ingrid Klimke, received the gold rosette for her victory in the Intermédiaire I, the WOTAX Prize 2018 in a rather unusual outfit for the Deutsche Bank Stadium.

The Deutsche Bank Stadium is indeed familiar with eventing riders and horses. But it is definitely the first time that a rider took part in the prize-giving ceremony of a dressage competition donning a safety vest, a jumping saddle and short stirrups. But because the Eventing Olympic gold medallist, Klimke, was to take part in the Lavazza Cup with her Trakehner Parmenides straight afterwards, the judges and sponsors had to congratulate him in place of his stable mate, Bluetooth. And there was the added bonus that during the lap of honour he was able to get used to the atmosphere that was awaiting him in the Main Stadium a few minutes later.

Ingrid Klimke hadn’t actually intended to ride to win in the Intermédiaire I today. “Bluetooth was still very distracted in the Prix St. Georges on Wednesday, and made some big mistakes. So I was planning on just steering him through without any tension today.” The judges obviously liked what they say. The Oldenburg-bred horse that his rider describes as a bit of a baby, very shy and that he needs a little bit longer to be able cope with his amazing movements, was awarded a score of 72.676 percent. She has only been riding him for a few months, but can already say: “He is totally lovable and incredibly eager. He just has to work at his self-confidence a bit more.”

Winning in Aachen should enable him to hold his head up high in any dressage arena in the world. Today he relegated the US American rider, Steffen Peters into second place with Donavan (72.176). Stefanie Wolf came third on a score of 71.441 percent with former World Championships of the Young Dressage Horses finalist, Saphira Royal.

All good things come in threes for Jeanine Nieuwenhuis, who won the Freestyle of the U25 Tour in the Prize of the Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation.

The Dutch dressage rider Jeanine Nieuwenhuis and her 13-year-old KWPN gelding, TC Athene, were already victorious at the European championships in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. But they had never competed in Aachen before. The first impression? “I rode in and thought: ‘Wow, that is different to anything I have done before!’” Obviously, the 23-year-old had to get over the initial shock of it all, because she improved from competition to competition. She came fourth in the Intermédiaire II for the Nations cup with TC Athene, in the Short Grand Prix they finished second and today in the Freestyle the pair won with a score of 78.075 percent.

Second place went to a regular guest from Spain: Juan Matute Guimon. He and his 15-year-old Hanoverian-bred Don Diego Ymas were awarded a score of 76.515 percent. When the 20-year-old rode at the Soers for the first time, he was just 16 years old. As such he knows what he is talking about when he says: “It was super! As always! It is always a pleasure to ride here.” Aachen was as brilliant as ever, but he saw room for improvement in his performance today: “I have a new freestyle routine that I rode for the first time here. So, the timing with the music wasn’t quite ideal yet.” But you must have already ridden it in training?! “No, never.” Absolutely cool! But he and Don Diego Ymas have been a harmonious team for years. “We know each other inside out. That helps of course!”

The best German rider, who finished third, was Lisa-Maria Klössinger with Daktari. Achieving a score of 76.30 percent, they were pipped at the post. Lisa’s answer in response to the question how her ride was can’t be quoted, only described – a wide grin and thumbs up.

Jil-Marielle Becks and Damon’s Satelite, who even surprised herself by winning the Intermédiaire II and the Short Grand Prix, came fourth today on a score of 75.10 percent.

Isabelle Werth

I am completely happy today. After my first day in Aachen, we analysed everything closely. Yesterday, we changed over a few things. After that I was very pleased with Emilio in the training and in the warm-up. I was very surprised on Thursday and I was so sorry for Emilio. I wasn’t awake enough and not sensitive enough to hear what he was saying. That was totally my fault. Today, I was delighted with him. We felt very safe and didn’t make any big mistakes. I didn’t expect to stay in front until the end of the competition. Perhaps it is because it is my birthday today (laughs). And I had support from my colleagues. We were indeed very happy to win the Nations Cup.

Helen Langehanenberg

I already thought on Thursday that is the best we can do, but obviously not. I have only been riding again for three and a half weeks, our last test was in February. Maybe sometimes a break helps (laughs). I enjoyed the test today. I had a super safe feeling today and everything was really easy. I am completely happy.

Dorothee Schneider

I am very happy with our performances so far. I had mistakes in the changes yesterday and today even without the rabbit (laughs). He started very well in the piaffe passage tour today. My horse extremely fit at the moment!

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

I am sitting here with one laughing and one crying eye. I am namely looking forward to the freestyle tomorrow so that we can proved that we can do really good piaffes. However, the communication between Dalera and I didn’t go too well. We really got into trouble in the piaffe and that costs us lots of points! It was Dalera’s first Grand Prix Spécial in her life too, because she is still very young. But I think she has enjoyed the atmosphere here in Aachen so far, she has been very cool. I am proud of her!

The first part of the Lambertz Nations Cup of the dressage riders, the Grand Prix ended completely differently to all expectations: the USA in the lead, ahead of Germany. But after the Grand Prix Spécial in the MEGGLE Prize, the German dressage world was back in order. Especially for Isabell Werth.

Emilio’s birthday gift to his rider Isabell Werth was 79.128 percent in the MEGGLE Prize, the Grand Prix Spécial, which is simultaneously the second competition in Lambertz Dressage Nations Cup. Two reasons for joy for the most successful dressage rider of all time! Helen Langehanenberg came second with Damsey after scoring a personal record in the Spécial of 79.021 percent, followed by the American rider, Kasey Perry-Glass with Dublet (78.787 percent).

The two further German team riders, Dorothee Schneider with Sammy Davis Jr. and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Dalera BB, came sixth (76.404) and seventh (76.255) respectively. That meant that no one could take the victory in the Lambertz Nations Cup away from Germany. With a total score of 464.251 they asserted themselves against the USA (459.371) and Denmark (444.106). Things certainly didn’t look like they were going that way at first.

Because in the Grand Prix, the normally strongest German pair, Isabell Werth with Emilio, had a disastrous day and ultimately landed in 17th place, which left the path clear for the USA. Incidentally, after puzzling for a long time Isabell Werth has it seems found the reason for Emilio quitting his duties yesterday: “I had changed the bit on the double bridle. It was a totally normal bit, but stronger than the baby bit I had ridden him with up until now. He was offended by that.” In the meantime, the trust has been reinstated. Nevertheless Werth said: “I feel very guilty and I am so sorry for Emilio that I didn’t listen to what he was trying to tell me!” But the Westphalian-bred Ehrenpreis son has obviously already forgiven his rider: “Emilio was back to his normal self today and we are a team again!” After her misfortunate Grand Prix performance, Werth had to ride as the 12th pair today, so she hadn’t expected to stay in front until the end. “My colleagues lent me some support there. That was obviously their birthday present for me,” grinned the from today onwards 49-year-old.

It would only have been fair if her colleagues did help her since last year she did her fiercest rival Laura Graves (USA) the same favour last year. Namely, the MEGGLE Prize was staged on July 22, last year – Laura Graves‘ birthday – and she managed to beat Werth for the first time. Now Laura Graves has to do her homework, like Werth did after the Grand Prix. Namely, today it was her Verdades who had a bad day. He finished eleventh on a score of just 74.085 percent.

Helen Langehanenberg was amazed at her second place with the Hanoverian-bred Damsey FRH: “I already thought on Thursday that is the best we can do, but obviously not. I have only been riding again for three and a half weeks, our last test was in February. Maybe sometimes a break helps (laughs). I enjoyed the test today. I had a super safe feeling today and everything was really easy in spite of the heat.” What a comeback for the team European Champion who only gave birth to her daughter, Finja, four weeks ago and who was nominated for the team by national coach, Monica Theodorescu, only one week ago!

The American dressage rider, Kasey Perry-Glass, also put in fantastic performances here at the CHIO Aachen with the Danish gelding, Goerklintgaards Dublet. Two judges actually had placed her first. Perry-Glass and the elegant dark bay horse competed in Europe for the first time in 2016 and their performances were very popular here. Her appearance at Aachen in 2017 were however rather disappointing. But this year she even managed to leave the European Championships bronze medallist, Cathrine Dufour and Cassidy, behind her. And people say dressage is boring…

One didn’t have to ask Isabell Werth how she felt after winning the Lindt Prize, the Grand Prix Spéciale at the CHIO Aachen 2018 with a score of over 80 percen. One could see it.

You’d think if someone had already won 595 Grand Prix competitions at national and international level, they had got used to it. But Isabell Werth certainly didn’t give that impression today when she left the arena with Bella Rose after her receiving 80.149 percent for her ride. “I am of course overjoyed!”, the most successful dressage ride of all time beamed and added half jokingly: “If the jockey can now get the flying-changes right…“. Their performance was namely not totally free of mistakes. The fact that they were still awarded over 80 percent, was primarily due to the outstanding piaffes, passage and half-passes. There is hardly room for improvement there which was reflected in the scores she was awarded for these exercises. Werth hit the nail on the head: “It is incredible how this horse fights with you! Of course, there was a bit of tension in the flying-changes today. But it is extraordinary that she can cope with this atmosphere here so well after four years!” Everything else is just a question of strength and gaining more competition experience, she had added.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl had plenty of reason for joy too, she namely came second with her KWPN mare, Zaire-E, her “ballerina”, in spite of a few small errors – among others striking off in canter after the passage instead of the extended trot. The mare had been very distracted by the atmosphere in the Deutsche Bank Stadium in the Grand Prix of the HAVENS Pferdefutter Prize, but today she seemed to feel comfortable and put in a solid performance that was rewarded with a score of 72.702 percent.

Two pairs finished in third place: The Danish rider Betina Jæger with the Hanoverian-bred Mane Stream Belstaff and Steffen Peters (USA) with Suppenkasper, a KWPN-bred gelding that was trained by Helen Langehanenberg. The horse went to Steffen Peters in California almost exactly a year ago. Both pairs finished on a score of 71.340 percent.

The dressage talent, Jil-Marielle Becks, hadn’t banked on it at all – not only was she able to compete in Aachen in her first U25 season. She also won two competitions in the Prize of the Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation straight off.

First of all the 20-year old Jil-Marielle Becks claimed the victory in the individual classification of the Intermédiaire II (and with the team of the U25 Nations Cup) with her Damon’s Satelite, then she went one better in the Short Grand Prix: The judges awarded the pair a score of 73.128 for their performance. “A good result when one considers that the Intermédiaire II is actually our strong point,” commented Becks and admitted: “I didn’t dream we would be so successful here. I had hoped to come under the top three, but the fact that we have won twice is overwhelming!” The pupil of the master of riding, Klaus Balkenhol, was not only delighted with her result, but also that her ten-year-old Westphalian-bred gelding, Damon’s Satelite, presented himself so well here at the Soers. He wasn’t distracted by the atmosphere in the Deutsche Bank Stadium whatsoever. Becks‘ explanation: “He was born at our stables. I have known him since he was young and have ridden him regularly since he was a four-year-old. We more or less grew up together.” That obviously has a bonding effect.

Second place went to the Netherlands, to Jeanine Nieuwenhuis with TC Athene. She and Becks know each other well. Among others they competed against each other in 2016 at the European Championships of the Young Riders in Oliva, Spain. At the time Jeanine Nieuwenhuis claimed gold in both the individual classification and in the freestyle. Jil-Marielle Becks ad Damon’s Satelite won silver and bronze. This time Nieuwenhuis had to make do with being placed behind Becks. She left the arena with a score of 71.821 percent.

Sweden’s Marina Mattsson finished third with the Hanoverian-bred Quarterback son, Quartermain (70.821 percent). The reigning U25 European Champion, Lisa-Maria Klössinger, was close at her heels with FBW Daktari (70.615 percent). Klössinger was rather disappointed because her highly-sensitive gelding felt much more relaxed in the Deutsche Bank Stadium than he had done in the previous competition. But of all things her best exercise, the flying-change à tempi which counts double went wrong today. That cost valuable points! But Klössinger intends to make up for it in the freestyle tomorrow.

The US American dressage rider, Laura Graves, came to Aachen with a clear goal in mind: To win. She succeeded in doing so at the first attempt in the Grand Prix of the Prize of the Tesch Family – however her most fierce opponent and constant rival, Isabell Werth, clearly underperformed today. That certainly is going to add an extra touch of excitement to the Lambertz Nations Cup of the dressage riders, which today’s Grand Prix formed the first part of.

The judges awarded Laura Graves a score of 80.606 percent for her performance in the Grand Prix, Prize of the Tesch Family, with the Florett As son, Verdades. A super result and the clear lead. However, Laura Graves had to wait until the last pair before she could celebrate her victory. Because the last pair to compete were Isabell Werth and Emilio. The Westphalian-bred gelding had to fill in for Werth’s World Cup winner, Weihegold, a decision that the German Dressage Committee took in view of the World Equestrian Games in Tryon. After all as is commonly know: Anyone, who survives in Aachen, will survive anywhere. If he survives…

Namely, Isabell Werth’s Emilio didn’t play along at all today, like he usually does. In the first piaffe he wanted to demonstrate that he also masters the exercises of the High School and tried to rear. Isabell Werth coped well with that thanks to all the experience she has gained after winning 595 national and international Grand Prix with 27 horses. But Emilio didn’t calm down. Diverse further mistakes followed, which ultimately led to a final score of 72.516 percent. Nobody had reckoned with that. And nobody could explain it either. Isabell Werth: “I don’t know what happened. I will have to sleep on that one first. One certainly envisages something totally different for the Nations Cup in Aachen…”

One thing is sure: Laura Graves and Verdades rode to victory in the Prize of the Tesch Family at the CHIO Aachen for the first time in their careers!

Isabell Werth and Emilio finished in 17^th place in the Grand Prix. Second place went to the bronze medallist of the European Championships Cathrine Dufour with her Caprimond son, Cassidy (78.494 percent). Although she also had a big slip-up when the 15-year-old gelding spooked after the transition from collected walk to passage and leaped forward. But luckily he found his concentration immediately again. “Otherwise the test went very well for us,” she stressed later.

Third place could almost be described as a wonder of Aachen: Helen Langehanenberg gave birth to her second daughter, Finja, just four weeks ago. A few days later she announced that she intended to ride in Aachen. She had already mentioned the plan in the spring in Neumünster during the World Cup show – adding: “But it will have to be a precision landing.” Her daughter Finja obliged. Langehanenberg mounted her team European Champion, Damsey, just five days later. During the rider’s maternity leave her “super team” kept him fit so he hadn’t forgotten a trick. So much so that on Friday the national coach Monica Theodorescu rang Helen Langehanenberg and told her that she had been nominated for the team in the Lambertz Nations Cup instead of competing in the CDI4* Tour. “I couldn’t breathe for the first three seconds,” recounted Helen Langehanenberg. But nerves have never been a problem for her: “I am not the type who gets nervous. And I can’t do any better than ride well.” Which is exactly what she did today – 77.034 percent was a personal Aachen record for her and Damsey in the Grand Prix. Monica Theodorescu commented: “I can’t really say, because I have never given birth to a child, but that she rode that well is amazing!”

Fourth place went to Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with the Aachen debutant, Dalera BB (76.848). It was only the sixth Grand Prix in the eleven-year-old Trakehner mare’s career. And the matter of course way she presented herself here in Aachen even amazed her rider: “She just went straight in their and rocked it!” she said elated after her successful ride.

The fourth member in the German team, Dorothee Schneider, came sixth with Sammy Davis Jr. (75.916). The pair performed a super test, until a rabbit suddenly hopped across the arena in the Deutsche Bank Stadium. Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis Jr. were concentrating so hard that they didn’t even notice it – although it actually crossed the diagonal that Sammy was just doing his flying changes à tempi on. A murmur spread through the crowd which unnerved Dorothee Schneider: “I simply didn’t know what was going on. I thought I must have took the wrong course? Had my horse lost the tail toupet it doesn’t have?” The confusion led to Sammy Davis Jr. making a mistake in the flying changes. Nevertheless, the rest of the test went very well.

USA take the lead in the Lambertz Nations Cup

The Prize of the Tesch Family was the first part of the Lambertz Nations Cup of the dressage riders. The second competition is the Grand Prix Spécial, the MEGGLE Prize. So, nothing is decided yet. One had actually counted on the German team celebrating a relaxed home victory despite Sönke Rothenberger having to withdraw because his horse Cosmo came down with an infection. Instead the guests from across the seas have taken the lead with a total interim score of 231.988, ahead of Germany with a score of 229.798 and Denmark on 223.106.

Not only the winner Laura Graves collected plenty of points for the USA, her team mate Kasey Perry-Glass, who came fifth with her Danish Diamond Hit son, Goerklintgaards Dublet, was also awarded 76.801 percent after a very harmonious ride. The US team is completed by Adrienne Lyle with Salvino (74.581 percent) and Steffen Peters with Rosamunde (71.351).

The team from Denmark, which currently lies in third place, comprises of Cathrine Dufour with Cassidy, Anna Zibrandtsen with Arlando (70.434), Anders Dahl with Selten HW (70.093) and Daniel Bachmann Andersen with Blue Hors Zack (74.177).