Isabell Werth has already collected six Olympic gold medals, nine World Championship titles and numerous other trophies in her magnificent career, but even the 51-year-old exceptional rider from Germany has never managed to do so: She finished two competitions with different horses on one day with scores of over 80 percent. "I cannot remember such a situation; usually the competitions are spread over several days. I am very pleased, it's a great feeling," said Werth.
First of all, the German achieved with Quantaz, owned by Victoria Max-Theurer, 80.348 percent in the Grand Prix of the Freestyle Tour. In the Grand Prix of the Special Tour with Weihegold, Olympic gold horse of 2016, the score was as high as 81.174 percent: "Quantaz has developed superbly again in the last three weeks, had more confidence today than at the first show. Weihegold presented herself well, a very nice tour. The expectations are very high with her, she did a really good job."
As at the first show, Victoria Max-Theurer was the first chaser. In the Grand Prix of the Freestyle Tour, Austria's record national champion achieved 73.783 percent with Rockabilly and thus second place. In the Grand Prix of the Special Tour she scored 77.631 percent with Abegglen.
"I'm super happy and, to be honest, a little overwhelmed. With Rockabilly there was a little mistake in the two-tempi flying changes, but I have two great results, I couldn't wish for better. Both horses have not been in this class for that long, I am really proud," Max-Theurer cheered.
The work with mentor and coach Isabell Werth thus continues to bear fruit, "I am very grateful – on the one hand to my family and my team, on the other hand also to Isabell for her coaching". Werth expressed her satisfaction with her protégé, "Victoria has achieved a good performance curve with both horses, and since the first show she has managed to improve. We are on schedule and very satisfied. This gives her security and self-confidence."
In the Grand Prix of the Freestyle Tour, the German Frederic Wandres placed third with Sa Coeur. The duo scored 72.326 percent. Behind the Swiss Estelle Wettstein with West Side Story (71.870 percent) in fourth place followed Belinda Weinbauer with Fräulein Auguste (70.848 percent), Timna Zach with Chico 32 (69.718 percent) and Oliver Valenta with Valenta's Fantast (65.457 percent).
Belinda Weinbauer achieved 71.239 percent with Fustanella in the Grand Prix of the Special Tour and thus took fourth place. Florian Bacher with Fidertraum (70.457 percent) and Christian Schumach with Sinclair Jason (69.826 percent) finished 6th and 7th.
N°02 FEI Grand Prix (CDI4*, Qualification for N°4 GP Special): 1. WEIHEGOLD - ISABELL WERTH (GER) 81,174 PROZENT 2. ABEGGLEN FH NRW - VICTORIA MAX-THEURER (AUT) 77,631 3. DESTANO – SIMONE PEARCE (AUS) 74,152 4. FUSTANELLA OLD – BELINDA WEINBAUER (AUT) 71,239 6. FIDERTRAUM - FLORIAN BACHER (AUT) 70,457 7. SINCLAIR JASON – CHRISTIAN SCHUMACH (AUT) 69,826