REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2015/2016: JOHNNY GIVES ISABELL THE PERFECT REEM ACRA CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Germany’s Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH produced one of the finest performances of their career together to win today’s fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Salzburg in Austria. From a distinguished field of starters that included many of the sport’s top stars, they emerged for a convincing victory ahead of The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice while the only other German contender, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, lined up third with Unee BB.

“I’m feeling really, really happy, Johnny was fantastic today and I’m very proud!”, Werth said after claiming the maximum 20 points and moving into equal-seventh spot on the league leaderboard alongside Gal and Portugal’s Goncales Carvalho.

Raised the bar

The start-list from nine nations included Palestine’s Christian Zimmermann and Cinco de Mayo who got the competition underway with a score of 68.875. But, sixth to go, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Romanov raised the bar considerably when posting 75.875 which would eventually be good enough for seventh place. It was a pleasing test from the Dutch duo, as the 15-year-old stallion is not long back in work after more than a year of an injury-break and looks set to return to top form.

It was Switzerland’s Marcela Krinke-Susmelj who led the way before the interval however when scoring 77.225. And she stayed out in front until von Bredow-Werndl set off with Unee BB who was first to break the 80 percent barrier. The German horse-and-rider partnership who finished third at last season’s Reem Acra Final in Las Vegas, USA threw down a score of 80.075 which was always going to be competitive.

Italy’s Valentina Truppa and Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno were also highly impressive when posting 79.400 which would earn fourth spot at the end of the day. There is something very different about this pair since they have returned to action following a very nasty accident suffered by the Italian rider earlier this summer. Everything looks lighter and more relaxed, and the 14-year-old horse is showing much more expression, and this is being reflected in higher marks this season as they continue to sparkle.

Chasing

It was Gal’s score of 80.900 that Werth was chasing when she entered the arena as last rider to go, the Dutchman producing powerful trot extensions and great elevation in passage and trot half-pass from the 13-year-old stallion with which he won the opening leg of the current Reem Acra series in Odense, Denmark in October.

But from the moment Werth set off she had winner written all over her, the often-naughty Don Johnson completely under her spell and responding to every instruction with enthusiasm and accuracy as he racked up a massive score of 84.125. High artistic marks were the order of the day, with the Ground Jury recognising the harmony between this pair who have sometimes missed out on the big moments because Johnny was in cheeky mood and just wouldn’t concentrate. It seems those days are over now, and at last the 46-year-old rider is being repaid for her patience.

She said today that she has now enjoyed three great performances with this horse, at the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) this summer, at the third leg of the new Reem Acra series in Stuttgart (GER) where they finished second behind Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado, and then again today. She puts it all down to maturity in the horse in which she never lost faith.

More serious

“He has a bit more experience with age so he has become more serious. He has settled down and he are I are growing together now – we know each other really, really well” said the 46-year-old athlete whose extraordinary list of career accomplishments includes double-gold at the Atlanta and Beijing Olympic Games, five gold medals from the FEI World Equestrian Games™ and eight from FEI European Championships.

She said the horse she calls “Johnny” has matured in both body and mind. “He’s in great shape and he’s much easier to ride now because he has become one horse. A year ago it was difficult for him to carry his whole body in balance, but now he’s really one complete horse and the picture is totally different to how he was two years ago” she added.

“I said it felt really good two weeks ago in Stuttgart and now we have done three great Freestyles in a row which is just fantastic. I’m especially happy because Johnny has often been in the shadow of my other horses but now he’s standing in his own light! He has a very strong personality and he’s really special. He is always positive, and yes he has been a bit naughty but he can always make me laugh. It has been a case of trying to balance his big character with his body so that he could do his best work. He’s right there now, and he feels settled, so for me this feels just great!”

Don Johnson FRH can now look forward to an eight-week holiday before Werth brings him back out for an run or two ahead of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next March. With 37 points on the board she’s now confident she’s going to get there and she’s already looking forward to it. But today she was just feeling happy and grateful – “Johnny’s given me the very best Christmas present!” Werth said this afternoon.

The next leg will take place at Olympia, London (GBR) on Wednesday 16 December.

Result: 1, Don Johnson FRH (Isabell Werth) GER 84.125; 2, Glock’s Voice (Edward Gal) NED 80.900; 3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.075; 4, Fixdesign Eremo del Castagno (Valentina Truppa) ITA 79.400; 5, Blind Date (Victoria Max-Theurer) AUT 78.350; 6, Smeyers Molberg (Marcela Krinke-Susmelj) SUI 77.225; 7, Glock’s Romanov (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 75.825; 8, Batuta (Goncalo Carvalho) POR 74.775; 9, Fabienne (Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein) DEN 72.575; 10. Beckham (Marina Mattsson) SWE 72.150; 11, For Compliment (Birgit Wientzek Plage) SUI 71.575; 12, Rodriguez (Astrid Neumayer) AUT 71.175; 13, Languedoc (Kristian von Krusenstierna) SWE 71.000; 14, Cinco de Mayo (Christian Zimmermann) PLE 68.875; 15, Randon (Leonardo Tiozzo) ITA 64.250.

Germany’s Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH produced a fabulous performance to win today’s fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Salzburg in Austria. (FEI/Thomas Holcbecher)

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League Standings after round 5 in Salzburg (AUT):

1. Patrik Kittel SWE – 54
2. Marcela Krinke-Susmelj SUI – 52
3. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 47
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 41
5. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP – 40
6. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 38
7. Edward Gal NED – 37
7. Goncales Carvalho POR – 37
7. Isabell Werth GER – 37
10. Inna Logutenkova UKR – 34
10. Valentina Truppa ITA – 34
12. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 28
13. Jenny Larsson SWE – 27
14. Lyndal Oatley AUS – 26
15. Judy Reynolds IRL – 24
16. Alexandre Ayache FRA – 20
16. Ellen Shulten-Baumer GER – 20
16. Emilie Nyrerod SWE – 20
19. Charlotte Haid Bondergaard SWE – 19
19. Mads Hendeliowitz SWE – 19

Louise Parkes

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP DRESSAGE 2015/2016: Spain’s Ferrer-Salat steals Reem Acra limelight in Lyon

Riding the crest of the wave that saw them take Freestyle bronze at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany two months ago, Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado registered a convincing victory at the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Lyon, France this afternoon. They sent a warning shot across the bows of their rivals when topping yesterday’s Grand Prix with a personal-best mark of 79.250, and today all five members of the Ground Jury were in complete agreement when awarding them the winning Freestyle score of 82.875.

However the spectators held their breath after a spectacular performance from Patrik Kittel who was last to go in today’s thrilling contest. If there had been extra marks on offer for pure excitement, then the Swedish rider would definitely have had it in the bag because, with the willing assistance of his lovely mare Deja, he threw down a test that was nothing short of funky. The crowd couldn’t resist moving to the sound of his Stevie Wonder-themed musical score, but his final mark of 81.175 left him in second spot ahead of Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino in third. Switzerland’s Marcel Krinke Susmelj lined up fourth with Smeyers Molberg, Ireland’s Judy Reynolds finished fifth with Vancouver K and the sole French representative, Pierre Volla, claimed sixth spot with his young mare Badinda Altena.

High standard of competition

There was a high standard throughout the entire competition today. As Judge at C, Isabelle Judet from France, commented afterwards, “on paper you had one group at the very top who were clearly at a high level, but even the performances of those in the second group were of a very good standard – it was a great competition to judge”, she said. The Ground Jury, which also included The Netherlands’ Ghislain Fouarge, Belgium’s Jacques van Daele, Luxembourg’s Christof Umbach and Germany’s Katrina Wuest, had the 72.125 earned by Denmark’s Rikke Svane and the eye-catching black stallion Finckenstein TSF as their leading score at the halfway stage.

However, much to the delight of the home crowd, Pierre Volla and his charming chestnut mare, one of three hugely promising nine-year-olds competing in today’s class, bounced well into the lead with a mark of 74.150 when first into the arena after the break. But Krinke Susmelj raised the target all the way up to 78 percent when Smeyers Molberg got into the swing, and Reynolds and Vancouver K slotted in behind the Swiss pair on a mark of 77.425 for temporary runner-up spot when next into the ring. It might not have been the winning score today, but there were big smiles all round in the Irish camp, as this is a new Irish Freestyle record, Reynolds also setting the previous one at Hagen, Germany in April.

Raised the bar

With three left to go, Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino raised the bar even higher, the big chestnut’s powerful and expressive movement complemented by great lightness as they marched out in front for a mark of 79.850. But the team gold medallists from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) and the FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark, were immediately relegated by the foot-perfect performance from Ferrer-Salat and Delgado.

This pair are a picture of symmetry, and as they easily worked through their floorplan in complete harmony with their music, it was clear a new lead would be established. Putting 82.875 on the board, it was now up to Kittel to dethrone the Spanish partnership when last to go. And the crowd watched with amazement as he gave it his very best shot, his 11-year-old mare, Deja, seemingly dancing with delight as the excitement built to a crescendo. The arena erupted when they drew to a halt, but the scoreboard showed 81.175 for second place. However Kittel now stands at the top of the Western European League leaderboard at this early stage of the series when adding today’s 17 points to the maximum 20 he picked up when winning the Central European League qualifier at Kaposvar in Hungary two weeks ago.

First competition since Europeans

“This was only our first competition since the Europeans, so I’m very happy!” said winning rider Ferrer-Salat tonight. It has been quite a year for the 49-year-old who, during her highly-successful career with her former ride, Beauvalais, finished third at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in s’Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2002, claimed individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games on home turf in Jerez (ESP), and won individual bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (GRE).

Her partnership with Delgado has been beset by injury problems for the horse over the last eight years, but somehow she kept faith with to the 14-year-old gelding and that faith has being repaid handsomely over the last nine months. The pair re-emerged onto the international stage in March and had just two competitions under their belt before taking that bronze medal in Aachen in August where she also helped her country qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Together they present a beautifully balanced, forward-going picture. She said this evening, “with him it is always very harmonious, there is an understanding between us, I know how he is feeling and he knows me very well also.” Asked to compare Delgado to Beauvalais she said, “Delgado is better in piaffe, but they are both special because they give me everything they can. What they have in common is that they are both very good in their heads and they have big hearts, always wanting to go forward, always wanting to be with me and that’s a very wonderful feeling for any rider”, she said. Ferrer-Salat plans to compete at the next leg of the Reem Acra series in Stuttgart, Germany in three weeks’ time.

Kittel meanwhile recognised that this had been an afternoon of great sport, and complimented the Lyon organisers on opening the doors to the public free-of-charge this afternoon. “The more of the general public we have in the audience the better if we want our sport to progress. The crowd were great, they really enjoyed the competition and supported us all, and the horses were fine in the prize-giving even though the spectators were really noisy. It was a lot of fun!” he said.

For further information on the second leg of the series at Lyon, France go to website http://www.equitalyon.com

The third leg will take place at Stuttgart (GER) on Saturday 21 November 2015. For details of the German fixture visit http://www.stuttgart-german-masters.de

Result: 1, Delgado (Beatriz Ferrer-Salat) ESP 82.875; 2, Deja (Patrik Kittel) SWE 81.175; 3, D’Agostino (Fabienne Lutkemeier) GER 79.850; 4, Smeyers Molberg (Marcela Krinke Susmelj) SUI 78.000; 5, Vancouver K (Judy Reynolds) IRL 77.425; 6, Badinda Altena (Pierre Volla) FRA 74.150; 7, Batuta (Goncalo Carvalho) POR 74.125; 8, Finckenstein TSF (Rikke Svane) DEN 72.125; 9, Spirit of the Age OLD (Bernadette Brune) GER 72.075; 10, Dandy de la Roche CMF (Antonella Joannou) SUI 71.300; 11, Raffaelo v. Bene (Anna-Mengia Aerne) SUI 71.075; 12, Beckham (Marina Mattsson) SWE 69.600; 13, Santurion de Massa (Daniel Pinto) POR 68.625; 14, Sal (Silvia Rizzo) ITA 64.975; 15, Sunny Boy (Juan Antonio Jiminez) ESP 64.775.

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP DRESSAGE GRAND PRIX FREESTYLE
PRIX FFE GENERALI
Beatriz FERRER SALAT – DELGADO
Pic Pierre Costabadie

Facts and Figures:

Lyon in France staged the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League today.
15 horse-and-rider partnerships competed in the Grand Prix Freestyle won by Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Saslt and Delgado with a score of 82.875..
The Spanish pair also topped yesterday’s Grand Prix at the French fixture with a personal best score of 79.260.
Runner-up today was Sweden’s Patrik Kittel with Deja.
The sole competitor for the host nation was Pierre Volla riding the nine-year-old mare Badinda Altena
9 nations were represented – Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The panel of judges was: At E, Ghislain Fouarge (NED); At H, Jacques van Daele (BEL); At C, Isabelle Judet (FRA); At M, Christof Umbach (LUX); At B, Katrina Wuest (GER).
The next leg of the series take place in Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday 21 November 2015.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 leaderboard: standings after Round 2 of the Western European League at Lyon (FRA):

1. Patrik Kittel SWE – 37
2. Marcela Krinke Susmelj SUI – 33
3. Inna Logutenkova UKR – 30
4. Judy Reynolds IRL – 24
5. Alexandre Ayache FRA – 20
5. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP – 20
5. Edward Gal NED – 20
5. Ellen Schulten-Baumer GER – 20
9. Charlotte Haid Bondergaard SWE – 19
9. Goncales Carvalho POR – 19
9. Jenny Larsson SWE – 19
12. Anna Kasprzak DEN – 17
12. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER- 17
12. Matthias Bouten GER – 17

Louise Parkes

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP: Another Glorious Day In Gothenburg For Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Round 8

Another Glorious Day In Gothenburg For Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

For the second year in a row, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB reigned supreme at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Western European League qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden today. In 2014 the pair scored 81.350 to pin the host nation’s Patrik Kittel and Toy Story into runner-up spot. But in today’s second-last leg of the 2014/2015 series, Kittel had to settle for fourth behind The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice, while Germany ruled the roost with Isabell Werth filling second spot with El Santo behind her fellow-countrywoman in pole position.

Her score of 81.650 was not von Bredow-Werndl’s personal best this season, but she was more than happy with it. Gothenburg’s Scandinavium Arena has never been for the faint-hearted as it is a tight fit to get the Dressage arena inside it, and the acoustics create a wall of sound. Many of the riders were much happier with how their horses went today compared to yesterday’s Grand Prix in which von Bredow-Werndl also came out on top.

Halfway point

Following some late withdrawals, a total of 11 horse-and-rider combinations lined out at this Reem Acra qualifier and it was Jennie Larsson and the 11-year-old Zircoon Spring Flower who led the way at the halfway point with a mark of 72.600. Denmark’s Lone Bang Larsen was her nearest rival when posting 72.525 with the 16-year-old Fitou whose ears were happily pricked throughout his test.

The final five however really raised the game, led by Kittel and Toy Story who demonstrated clockwork piaffe and passage and a floating extended trot to earn 77.050 to take the lead. Isabell Werth and El Santo swept that aside however with a brilliant performance. The horse she calls “Ernie” was in flying form as he swung to his musical score, and few other riders could have contained the energy and enthusiasm this gelding showed today. Werth always throws her heart and soul into every test, and Ernie responded by giving her his all for a new leading mark of 79.900.

Gal’s Glock’s Voice showed some lovely work but found it hard to settle, and when this pair posted a mark of 78.100 it seemed very possible that Werth might come out on top. But, when Sweden’s Paulinda Friberg and di Lapponia T posted 76.925, von Bredow-Werndl sealed it when forging ahead with the biggest mark of the day.

Complete agreement

The judges were in complete agreement about the performance of the elegant 14-year-old son of Gribaldi who has enjoyed a superb run of form over the winter months. A win at Kaposvar in Hungary, where they scored a hat-trick in the Grand Prix, Special and Freestyle, kick-started their march, and that was followed by runner-up spot on home ground at Stuttgart and third-place finishes at both Olympia in London (GBR) and in Amsterdam (NED).

“It’s super, I’m so happy, it’s hard to find the words, I want to go out and do it again!” said 29-year-old von Bredow-Werndl afterwards. “There were many good competitors here, and in the Grand Prix and Freestyle a lot depends on your communication with your horse and your daily relationship. My horse was completely with me. This was my best ride, we were really consistent, and when your horse is like that you can ask for a little more. He always wants to do a good job, and I’m also excited because I feel we have some more potential to improve!” she added.

Werth was also more than pleased with her result. “My horse was full of power today but we also had good collection and no mistakes. It was much better than yesterday, and now I feel really ready for Las Vegas!”

It seems she is on the way to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final as she lies third on the Western European league leaderboard, and German strength is clearly evident as her colleague, Fabienne Lutkemeier, lies one place ahead of her while von Bredow-Werndl has a big lead with just one last leg left to run.

Two-time series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP, won the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Lyon, France. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

Reservations

Asked if she had any reservations about taking Unee BB to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas in six weeks’ time, von Bredow-Werndl replied, “No, definitely not! I want to take him, he’s never flown before but he’s a very cool boy!” And as for her plans over the coming weeks she explained, “he’s done enough for now, we will do a clinic for the national team, that will be a good warm-up for him because he likes to go somewhere once a month. He’s very eager to drive somewhere and he’s not happy when he’s left at home for long!” she explained.

Apparently Unee BB is an intrepid traveller. “He’s pretty unusual I suppose” she said with a laugh, “travelling actually relaxes him! After Amsterdam (in January) he went in the lorry and didn’t get home until 2.30 in the morning, but he was so fresh when we arrived back that I could have ridden him all over again!” she said. “I’ve never been to Las Vegas, so I’m really excited and I know BB will like it because he’s a real showman!” she concluded.

For further information on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 qualifier at Gothenburg, Sweden, check out website http://www.gothenburghorseshow.com

The ninth and last qualifying leg of the Western European League will take place at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on Saturday 14 March 2015. For details of the Dutch fixture visit website http://www.indoorbrabant.com

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB made it a back-to-back double when, for the second year running, they came out on top at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden today. (FEI/Roland Thunholm)

Result:

1, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 81.650;

2, El Santo (Isabell Werth) GER 79.900;

3, Glock’s Voice (Edward Gal) NED 78.100;

4, Toy Story (Patrik Kittel) SWE 77.050;

5, di Lapponia T (Paulinda Friberg) SWE 76.925;

6, Zircoon Spring Flower (Jennie Larsson) SWE 72.600;

7, Fitou L (Lone Bang Larsen) DEN 72.525;

8, Fleetwood (Malin Hamilton) SWE 72.025;

9, Goerklintgaards Fanero (Lena Leschly Aamann) DEN 71.250;

10, Ferdi (Maria van Essen) SWE 71.075;

11, Paridon Magi (Caroline Darcourt) SWE 69.950.

Facts and Figures:

The Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden played host to the second-last leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League.

11 horse-and-rider combinations from four countries – Denmark, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands – lined out.

The winner was Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Unee BB, and it was a back-to-back double for the pair who also won the Reem Acra qualifier at this fixture 12 months ago.

The result has further boosted von Bredow-Werndl’s lead on the Western European League leaderboard. Following today’s competition, she has racked up a total of 74 points, leaving her a full 10 points clear of her nearest rival and fellow-countrywoman Fabienne Lutkemeier while Germany’s Isabell Werth, who was runner-up today with El Santo, lies third on the league table.

The Ground Jury for today’s competition consisted of: At E, Maria Schwennesen AUS; At H, Isobel Wessels GBR; At C, Annette Fransen Iacobaeus SWE; At M, Katrina Wuest GER; At B, Magnus Ringmark SWE.

The last qualifier of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League will take place in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on Saturday 14 March.

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final will be held in Las Vegas, USA from 15 to 19 April.

Quotes:

Edward Gal NED: “I was very happy with Voice, he was better than yesterday but next time I hope we get some 10s!”

Annette Fransen Iacobaeus, Ground Jury member: “We have seen some very good dressage today, especially in the second group, there was a big lift in the scores there. The horses were definitely more relaxed than they were yesterday.”

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 – Standings after round 8 at Gothenburg SWE:

1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 74
2. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 64
3. Isabell Werth GER – 62
4. Danielle Heijkoop NED – 60
5. Edward Gal NED – 55
5. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 55
7. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 49
8. Ulla Salzbeger GER – 48
9. Sonke Rothenberger GER – 47
10. Adelinde Cornelissen NED – 37
10. Morgan Barbancon Mestre ESP – 37
12. Malin Hamilton SWE – 36
12. Patrik Kittel SWE – 36
12. Terhi Stegars FIN – 36
12. Paulinda Friberg SWE – 36

Louise Parkes