REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2015/2016 – Round 8: Werth and Weihegold Make It Two-In-A-Row At Neumünster

Germany’s Isabell Werth steered the 11-year-old mare, Weihegold OLD, to their second successive victory together at the penultimate leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League on home ground in Neumünster (GER) today. Last time out in Amsterdam (NED) at the end of January the pair posted a great score of 83.450, and today they passed the 84 percent mark for another sparkling performance which has lifted Werth to the top of the League leaderboard by a considerable margin.

Runner-up was Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Unee BB who scored 80.900, three percentage points less than their second-place score at the Dutch fixture last month. However this German duo were big favourites with the Neumünster crowd who had a significant influence on the sport all weekend. The proximity of the spectators to the field of play contributed to the intense atmosphere in the ring, and proved too much for some. In yesterday’s Grand Prix, Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak decided to retire when her 16-year-old horse Hoennerups Driver simply couldn’t cope with the excitement.

Even Werth admitted that she felt the tension. “I couldn’t have expected such a good result in this electric atmosphere!” said the multiple Olympian and two-time FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion who now has her sights firmly fixed on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2016 Final in Gothenburg (SWE) next month.

Set the target

League leader, Patrik Kittel from Sweden, set the early target in today’s Freestyle when scoring 74.350 with the 10-year-old Delauney, and this was followed by 74.275 from Australia’s Kristy Oakley.

Kristy is a cousin of Kittel’s wife, Lyndal Oatley who was also in action today, finishing eleventh with Sandro Boy. Kristy’s father, Rainer Nist, was a German Young Rider champion and her grandfather, Robert Oatley, won the world-famous Admiral’s Cup yacht race in 2003, so the cousins come from a family filled with sporting genes.

The host nation contenders began to flex their not-inconsiderable muscle when Fabienne Lutkemeier went out in front when eleventh to go of the 15 starters. Her mark of 75.575 would only prove good enough for fifth place in the final analysis however, and her dominance was short-lived when von Bredow-Werndl followed her into the ring. The 30-year-old athlete, who finished third at the 2015 Reem Acra Final in Las Vegas (USA), wasn’t entirely satisfied with her leading mark of 80.900. “Unee was a little shy and introverted today, so he was not so expressive” von Bredow-Werndl said afterwards.

Poland’s Beata Stremier and Rubicon D then put an impressive 76.325 on the board before Werth blew the competition apart with her score of 84.600. And when 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions, The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival, were awarded 78.775 then she nudged Stremier down to fourth spot and Werth was the confirmed winner once again.

Confident of victory

Asked afterwards if she felt confident of victory going into today’s class, Werth replied, “I was hoping for a good score, but you never know until the end. My horse is in good shape but I was not expecting this electric atmosphere so I’m completely happy that she dealt with it. There was one mistake, but were were more with the music today, the whole thing had more shape to it and it was more experience for my mare. We are getting more confident with each other and with the music, and that was the whole thing basically. I’m very happy” she explained.

Second-placed von Bredow-Werndl said she couldn’t believe the reception she got from the spectators. “They were amazing, I live at other end of Germany, I’m from Bavaria so these are not people I know but I think they must love my horse!” she said. Talking about today’s performance she pointed out, “I felt in Amsterdam that Unee was in very, very good shape, athletic with lots of power, very supple and with me all the way. I’ve been having so much fun working with him and he has improved a lot over the last few weeks but it was not as good as Amsterdam today or yesterday, because the crowd is so close to the arena.

“Usually he loves that but this is a very special atmosphere here”, she continued. “There was no noise, but there is a lot of electricity so he didn’t show himself in the same way. I wanted him to be more self-confident and convinced. I wanted us to be at least as good as we were in Amsterdam, so I am a bit disappointed because of the bigger difference in points between Isabell and me. In Amsterdam there was only one point, today it was three percent, but I know what we can improve on that” she added.

Germany’s Isabell Werth won the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at the sold-out RAI Arena in Amsterdam (NED) today riding Weihegold. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Looking forward to the final

She is looking forward to the Final in Gothenburg now. “There are just four weeks left and that’s perfect. We will have one week of holiday (for Unee) and then start to train again” von Bredow-Werndl explained. Her next trip will be to Doha (QAT) with Zaire – “she’s also in the top 30 of the world rankings and she is my next superstar!” said the rider who also has the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in her line of sight.

“I will probably do Hagen (GER) as my first outdoor competition in April and the we will do the two official qualifiers for Rio, at Balve and Aachen” she explained. Asked if she felt confident of selection to represent her country in Brazil next August she replied, “you never know in Germany because we have so many strong combinations. All I can do is focus on my own performances and do my very best!”.

Werth also has her plans in place for the coming months, and is looking forward to the return of the mare, Bella Rose, who helped to clinch team gold for Germany at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normanday (FRA) in 2014, and who she hopes to bring to Rio.

In work already

“Bella Rose is in work already and I will bring her out later in season. We are really focused, but it is step by step and fingers crossed” she said, referring to the horse’s return to the top level of the sport after a long injury break. “It will be a really slow build up for her, I don’t want to put pressure on her by bringing her out in a Freestyle, I want her to come back and relax. She has so much temperament, it would be crazy to bring her to an indoor and it was never the plan to put her in the World Cup anyway. She feels more free and relaxed outside, so that’s the plan”, Werth explained.

With Weihegold growing ever-more confident and Don Johnson also in flying form she may be spoiled for choice this summer. But first she will bid for another FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in Sweden next month.

It is 24 years since she first claimed the trophy with Fabienne at Gothenburg in 1992, and nine years since she stood top of the podium in Las Vegas after victory with Warum Nicht. Asked today if she thinks she could make it a hat-trick in a few weeks’ time she replied, “I’m so long in the sport that I know that the next show is a new day and a new situation. We will try our best, yes I am in a good situation, but nothing more. I will go to Dortmund in two weeks and then to den Bosch (s’Hertogenbosch, NED) with Don (Johnson) and then the Final. We will see…..” she concluded.

Result: 1, Weihegold (Isabell Werth) GER 84.600; 2, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.900; 3, Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) NED 78.775; 4, Rubicon D (Beata Stremler) POL 76.325; 5, D’Agostino FRH (Fabienne Lutkemeier) 75.575; 6, Delaunay (Patrik Kittel) 74.350; 7, Du Soleil (Kristy Oatley) AUS 74.275; 8, Sieger Hit (Juliane Brunkhorst) GER 73.650; 9, Smeyers Molberg (Marcela Krinke-Susmelj) SUI 73.600; 10, Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) FIN 72.975; 11, Sandro Boy (Lyndal Oatley) AUS 72.450; 12, Vancouver K (Judy Reynolds) IRL 72.175; 13, Jojo AZ (Angnete Kirk-Thinggaard) DEN 72.075; 14, Dzeko (Katarzyna Milczarek) POL 67.675; 15, Don Gregorius (Inna Logutenkova) UKR 66.250.

Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold produced their second consecutive victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League when coming out on top at the second-last qualifier on home ground in Neumünster today. (FEI/Stefan Lafrantz)

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League Standings after round 8 in Neumünster (GER):

1. Isabell Werth GER – 77
2. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 66
3. Patrik Kittel SWE – 65
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 61
5. Marcela Krinke Susmelj SUI – 52
6. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 50
7. Edward Gal NED – 49
8. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven SWE – 45
9. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 44
10. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP – 40
11. Inna Logutenkova UKR – 39
12. Judy Reynolds IRL – 38
13. Goncalo Carvalho POR – 37
14. Valentina Truppa ITA – 34
15. Diederik van Silfhout NED – 33

Louise Parkes

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2015/2016: HESTER PIPS DUJARDIN IN BATTLE OF THE BRITISH OLYMPIANS IN LONDON

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2015/2016 – Round 6, Olympia

Carl Hester pipped his super-star protégé, fellow-Olympian and world no. 1 rider Charlotte Dujardin for victory in tonight’s spell-binding sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Olympia in London (GBR). Riding Nip Tuck, the 11-year-old gelding with which he helped clinch team silver at this summer’s FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany, the 48-year-old rider delivered a performance that simply demonstrated why he has long been a legend in this sport.

Winner of the third leg of the series in Stockholm, Sweden last month, Hans Peter Minderhoud from The Netherlands lined up third with Glock’s Flirt while, on a great night for the home-country contenders, Lara Griffith claimed fourth spot with Rubin Al Asad.

Ground Jury President, Great Britain’s Stephen Clarke, put tonight’s competition into perspective when he said, “it was fantastic, the whole level was really high with all the riders going for it. Hans Peter and Charlotte both did great tests, but then Carl came in with a degree of difficulty that was just amazing. He spent the first five minutes on the centre line! It was a test with a great degree of difficulty that worked, and that’s why he won.”

Influence

Hester’s influence on tonight’s competition even extended to the rider who held pole position until after the halfway stage. Trainer and rider, 32-year-old Hayley Watson-Greaves, is coached by the man who joined Dujardin on the British gold medal winning side at the London 2012 Olympic Games. And she sparkled when second to go with the fabulous black gelding Rubins Nite, taking all the risks to post a mark of 75.075.

It was fellow-countrywoman Griffith who demoted her from the top of the order, showing rhythm and relaxation as her 13-year-old gelding strutted his stuff to a rousing Scottish-themed musical score. Posting 78.025 for a test the judges described as “close to perfection technically”, this 27-year-old rider was always going to finish well in the frame, but Dujardin created a whole new parameter when next into the arena with Uthopia.

The 14-year-old stallion has not shown for the last two years and Dujardin has only competed him “seven or eight times” during her sensational career which has principally been dominated by her extraordinary partnership with the amazing gelding Valegro. But she stormed to victory in yesterday’s Grand Prix, pinning Hester and Nip Tuck into runner-up spot ahead of Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt, and a repeat performance seemed very much on the cards this evening.

Calling card

The pair produced breathtaking extended trot and fabulous tempi changes, and although their final few movements didn’t come together they stamped 82.550 on their calling card, leaving it up to the rest to chase that. Minderhoud followed with a great effort that earned 80.975, but, second last to go, it was clear that Hester wasn’t riding for runner-up spot this time out.

“I just chucked everything at it to see what I could do! I know the degree of difficulty is being stepped up so I took every movement that was difficult and just rode it one day, wrote it down and then did it again the next day. With this horse I have no choice, if I want to be in the top lot I have to do something that showcases that” he said after posting the winning mark of 83.750.

Stephen Clarke said at the post-competition press conference, “this man (Hester) just keeps opening all sorts of chapters! It was certainly a very exciting test and the music also worked beautifully. It wasn’t just that it was a difficult test, but that he managed to make it look easy. Pirouettes on centre line, both of the them were really really good, he kept adding to the degree of difficulty and it really worked,” he added.

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

Never say never

Hester said that Nip Tuck has taught him to “never say never!” He had a long history of runner-up placings at Olympia since he first competed at the hugely popular Christmas fixture back in 2003, so this result was particularly satisfying. “I’m very proud of Nip Tuck, I’ve had him since he was a year old and he’s still only 11. He’s over 18 hands high, not a traditional dressage horse, not really made to do dressage, but in his head he is a gold medallist and that’s why his body gets better and better”, he explained.

Dujardin, who affectionately calls Hester “grandad”, said she didn’t mind having to settle for second place tonight. “If there’s one person to be beaten by it’s granddad, he inspires me every day”, she said. “Watching him made me have goose-pimples. He said he was going to nail his floorplan tonight and he did such a cracking job, he made it look effortless. I’m so thrilled for him because he’s always wanted to win here and he’s done it at last!” said the rider who, with her no. 1 horse Valegro, holds every record and every title in the sport.

Today’s third placing has now promoted Hans Peter Minderhoud to the top of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League table. I’m very lucky that I have three fantastic horses”, the Dutchman said tonight. “I did two qualifiers with Glock’s Romanov and two with Flirt, and I will do two next year with Johnson and then decide which one to ride in the Final” he explained.

“Yesterday it was quite close in the Grand Prix, I knew it would be hard to beat one of the Brit superstars, but they are great friends and I’m very happy for them!” he insisted.

Britain’s Carl Hester and Nip Tuck secured a spectacular victory at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League in Olympia, London (GBR) tonight. (FEI/Jon Stroud)

Winning horse

Hester meanwhile mused about how much better he can do with tonight’s winning horse. “I missed my canter passage, I didn’t nail the transition and the walk isn’t relaxed. The halt was very difficult at end because he’s so used to everyone clapping, so there are still more points I can work on but I need to keep competing in this sort of atmosphere” he said.

For the moment however Nip Tuck won’t be under any pressure. “He will have until the new year off, he’s very energetic and keeps himself very fit and is quite happy living out in field. So he will do that until January.”

He hopes that Uthopia, whose previous achievements include European team gold in Rotterdam (NED) in 2011 and Olympic team gold at London 2012 will be a reserve horse for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “Charlotte will hopefully qualify him in Amsterdam” Hester said tonight. So there is every incentive to look forward to the next leg of the Reem Acra series at the Dutch fixture at the end of January.

For further information on the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Olympia, London (GBR) go to http://www.olympiahorseshow.com

The next leg will take place in Amsterdam (NED) on 29/30 January 2016. For information on the Dutch fixture visit http://www.jumpingamsterdam.nl/

Result: 1, Nip Tuck (Carl Hester) GBR 83.750; 2, Uthopia (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 82.550; 3, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 80.975; 4, Rubin Al Asad (Lara Griffith) GBR 78.025; 5, Paridon Magi (Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven) SWE 77.700; 6, Jojo Az (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 76.950; 7, Rubins Nite (Hayley Watson-Greaves) GBR 75.075; 8, Annarico (Fanny Verliefden) BEL 74.125; 9, Vancouver K (Judy Reynolds) IRL 73.525; 10, Batuta (Goncalo Carvalho) POR 73.225; 11, Santurio de Massa (Daniel Pinto) POR 73.200; 12, Bonzanjo (Diederik van Silfhout) NED 73.100; 13, Don Gregorius (Inna Logutenkova) UKR 72.775; 14, Tiamo (Jorinde Verwimp) BEL 72.725; 15, Wie-Atlantico de Ymas (Anders Dahl) DEN 72.375.

Louise Parkes

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