The second part of the tournament trilogy at Schloss Achleiten ended on Sunday with impressive performances and another victory by Isabell Werth. The six-time Olympic champion from Germany won the world's most difficult dressage test, the Grand Prix Special, with Weihegold. Victoria Max-Theurer took second place with Abegglen, and three other Austrian riders scored over 70 percent.
Isabell Werth said goodbye to Achleiten with Olympic Champion Weihegold and 80.915 percent in the Grand Prix Special. "There was one small inconsistency, otherwise Weihe was very good today. Especially the trot work, I am extremely satisfied. The fine tuning and the confidence are getting better and better," analyzed the world number 1. "The tournament itself was again perfectly organized, the Schlosspark quadrangle is simply unique."
Victoria Max-Theurer also had reason to be happy. In increasingly heavy rain, she scored 77.596 percent and second place again with Abegglen - and that in only their second Grand Prix Special together: "I'm very happy again! There was one small mistake, I was a bit too brave in the bend. We still have to get to know each other better and improve the fine-tuning, but the basis is very promising. Abegglen is an incredible fighter and wants to do everything right, which is crazy fun. Even the wind and rain didn't faze him, the result is really great."
Especially the experience in the arena makes Austria's record national champion feel positive: "It feels incredibly good with both horses, I am currently looking forward to every competition. This feeling is indescribable, simply brilliant. I hope we can keep this up."
Australian Simone Pearce took third place with Destano (74.617 percent), and behind her three other red-white-red riders finished above 70 percent: national champion Florian Bacher achieved 72.021 percent with Fidertraum, Christian Schumach with Sinclair Jason 71.170 percent and Belinda Weinbauer with Fustanella 70.872 percent.
In Intermediaire I, Isabella Willibald with Richtershof's Farbenfroh took 66.030 percent, Chiara Pengg and Alassio's Boy scored 65.382 percent. The win was secured by Simone Pearce, who scored 75.735 percent with Montevideo 65.
"Isabell has once again impressively demonstrated why she is an absolutely exceptional rider. Watching her is simply a pleasure. Vici showed with both horses that she is on the right track. The Austrian riders around Belinda Weinbauer and Florian Bacher were also convincing," sums up host Elisabeth Max-Theurer with satisfaction and is cautiously confident after the successful second event in the Schlosspark quadrangle: "As in the first tournament, we have experienced dressage sport at world class level. All participants have kept to the safety measures in an exemplary manner. It has been confirmed that tournaments - albeit under special circumstances - are possible."
Victoria Max-Theurer once again emphasized how important tournaments are for the competitive experience in the current phase: "A huge thank you to my mother for taking charge of this and allowing such events to take place - we all appreciate it. Riders have approached us and said thank you. There have also been many requests from spectators who would have liked to come. Unfortunately, it is not possible at the moment, but there is a lot of interest. We will see what is feasible in the future. Thanks to my family, my team and to Isabell."
As a local hero, Victoria Max-Theurer will also be at the start of the third four-star tournament in Achleiten. Whether Isabell Werth will come to the Schlosspark again has not yet been finally decided: "I would like to come again, but school is starting in Germany and my son is transferring this summer. We have to see how we solve all this organizationally."
A comprehensive summary of the tournament including highlights of the freestyle and interviews with riders will be shown on Sunday (July 26) from 19:30 on ORF Sport+. The third and last CDI4* tournament at Schloss Achleiten this year is scheduled for August 14-16.
N°04 FEI Grand Prix Special (CDI4*)
1. WEIHEGOLD - ISABELL WERTH (GER) 80,915 PROZENT
2. ABEGGLEN FH NRW - VICTORIA MAX-THEURER (AUT) 77,596
3. DESTANO – SIMONE PEARCE (AUS) 74,617
4. FIDERTRAUM - FLORIAN BACHER (AUT) 72,021
5. SINCLAIR JASON – CHRISTIAN SCHUMACH 71,170
7. FUSTANELLA – BELINDA WEINBAUER 70,872