Rihanna, rain and riding skills

Daniel Winkler
Jul 28
2 min read

Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena set the tone in the dressage arena.

Day two at the international dressage tournament in Achleiten. First, Victoria Max-Theurer and co. braved the pouring rain, then US rider Benjamin Ebeling danced his way to a commanding victory with his mare Bellena in the freestyle to music by Rihanna. Sunday will see the final European Championship test for Bettina Kendlbacher and co.

Grand Prix winner Benjamin Ebeling (USA) also dominated the freestyle final on Saturday at the CDI4* Achleiten. Riding the mare Bellena, the 25-year-old US boy from LA danced to a mix of songs by Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, and Beyoncé and secured a clear victory with 76.615 percent. Second place went to Laura Strobel (GER) with Valparaiso NRW (72.680%), closely followed by Máté Garai (HUN) on Vitus 95 (72.260%).

Ebeling was satisfied and proud after his performance: “The score doesn't mean much to me. It's great to win, but whether I win or lose, at the end of the day I really want to show a consistent, calm test with my horse where everything fits together. And I really felt that was the case today.”

It's no coincidence that Bellena fits his playlist: "She's a very strong lady herself. And that's kind of the story behind the music – I think it really suits her perfectly.“ Ebeling praised not only his mare, but also the atmosphere at the venue: ”It was beautiful. It rained all morning, but the ground didn't suffer at all, it was still fantastic to ride on. A big compliment to the tournament management and the Max-Theurer family."

Ebeling, whose father is German, also had a culinary impression: “I just learned that potatoes are called Erdäpfel here in Austria. So that would be my favorite food.”

Two Grand Prix Specials on Sunday

On Sunday, the winner of the Three-Star Grand Prix, Victoria Max-Theurer with L'Espoir, and the runner-up, Isabell Werth with Zeffirelli MT, will compete in the Grand Prix Special, the most difficult dressage competition in the world. In the Special of the four-star tour, Austria's Bettina Kendlbacher and Co. will once again be putting their form to the test before the European Dressage Championships, which will take place in Le Crozet, France, in a month's time.

N°2 FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (CDI4*)

1. Benjamin Ebeling (USA) Bellena 76,615

2. Laura Strobel (GER) Valparaiso NRW 72,680

3. Máté Garai (HUN) Vitus 95 72,260

4. Katrazyna Milczarek (POL) Guapo 71,905

5. Erin Nichols (USA) Elian Royale 71,305

6. Isabel Cool (BEL) Herr Charmeur Coolhorses 70,480

7. Leonie Krull (GER) All We Need 70,375

8. Mathilde Koefoed-Nielsen (DEN) Odin Unik 70,14

9. Anna Magdalena Schessl (GER) DSP Dubary 69,755

10. Kristin Biermann (GER) Queensland 20 69,270

Result in detail