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

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Round 5: Dujardin And Valegro Set Olympia Alight With A Double Of New World Records

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced a performance close to perfection when winning tonight’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League qualifier at Olympia in London (GBR) with yet another world-record-breaking score. They set the previous record at the same venue 12 months ago when posting a mark of 93.975, but this evening earned 94.300 for an even more spell-binding display of harmony between horse and rider. And this latest triumph came just 24 hours after the dynamic duo beat their own world record in the Grand Prix in which The Netherlands‘ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover also had to settle for runner-up spot.

Dujardin admitted tonight that Valegro’s performance this evening almost brought her to tears. “When we were doing the last piaffe/passage I was welling up and I had to say to myself don’t cry, don’t cry!” she said. “He tries so hard to get it right, it’s an incredible feeling when you go in there in front of all those thousands of people and he just wants to perform and to give you his best”, she added.

A little history

There was a starting field of 14, and The Netherlands‘ Katja Gevers and Thriller took the early lead with a score of 72.276 before Irish national champion, Judy Reynolds, made a little history as the first rider from her country to qualify for the Freestyle at the prestigious British fixture, posting a creditable 70.000. Talented young German, Soenke Rothenberger, was out in front at the halfway stage with Favourit on a mark of 77.825, but that would only prove good enough for sixth place at the end of a magical night.

Gal gave it his best shot with Glock’s Undercover, but after a solid start the horse’s tension increased to leave them on a final score of 83.550, and Dujardin and the 12-year-old gelding she calls Blueberry just blew that away when following with a stunning test during which they picked up 25 maximum scores of 10. From the moment they set off, horse and rider were as one, gliding seamlessly from movement to movement and perfectly synchronised to their musical score from “How to train your dragon”. The first time they performed to it was last April when they added the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2013/2014 title to the staggering list of successes they have racked up during their relatively short career together. But tonight their musical interpretation was in a different league altogether.

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello stepping it out in style on their way to victory in today’s fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series at Stockholm (SWE). (FEI/Roland Thunholm)

Hit everything on time

“I felt that I got into the music and he got into the music, and it felt like everything seemed to flow and to fit, and I hit everything on time” Dujardin said afterwards. The crowd thought so too, rising to give the phenomenal partnership a standing ovation.

Ground Jury President, Great Britain’s Stephen Clarke, said “I didn’t honestly think we’d get that feeling again. In 2009 Edward (Gal) broke the world record here and it was the most magical evening I can ever remember, then Charlotte does it tonight and it’s just out of this world! I don’t know what it is about this show, but the horses are incredible here!” he pointed out.

He teased Dujardin about her spectacular performance. “The walk tonight wasn’t quite as relaxed…and there was 9.5 for paces, 10 for harmony, 10 for choreography, 9.5 for difficulty and 10 for the music. Charlotte you’d better sharpen up a bit!” he said.

Runner-up, Gal who was 2010 series champion with the great Totilas, joked that he needs to “practice a little bit more – I’m just 10% behind!”, while Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, whose third-place finish tonight with Unee BB leaves her sharing the lead on the Western European League table with fellow-countrywoman Fabienne Lutkemeier, said “I haven’t had a world record breaking feeling yet, but I’m working on it!”

The Netherlands’ Danielle Heijkoop steered Siro NOP into fourth ahead of Dujardin’s great friend and mentor Carl Hester whose 10-year-old gelding, Nip Tuck, was the youngest horse in the competition.

Dressed as a chicken

Dujardin first appeared under the spotlights at Olympia back in 1996 when taking part in the traditional Christmas finale – dressed as a chicken. She cut a rather more elegant figure tonight sitting on the fabulous 12-year-old gelding who has more than realised all her dreams.

“When I first started Grand Prix I had three goals” the 29-year-old rider explained, “to ride at Olympia, be on a team with Carl (Hester) and to get to London (2012 Olympic Games). The first year I got here I won and I couldn’t believe it. Last year I broke my final world record here, and this year to break two in one show is absolutely outstanding!” she added.

Asked if she thought she could achieve an even higher score that the one she laid down tonight, the Olympic, World and European champion replied “I don’t know, I just keep doing these tests and things just get better and better….my confidence and his confidence are just growing and growing and it makes you be able to ride more and more and go for more, I get braver as a rider and he gets more confident as a horse”. And asked if she thought it possible to earn a maximum 100% some time in the future she laughed and said, “it’s not far off now, I’m getting there!!”

For further information on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 leg at Olympia, London (GBR) go to http://www.olympiahoreshow.com

The next leg of the series will take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Saturday 31 January 2015.

Result:

1, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBr 94.300;

2, Glock’s Undercover (Edward Gal) NED 83.550;

3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.725;

4, Siro NOP (Danielle Heijkoop) NED 80.325;

5, Nip Tuck (Carl Hester) GBR 79.925;

6, Vavourit (Soenke Rothenberger) GER 77.825;

7, Jojo AZ (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 77.275;

8, Santana (Minna Telde) SWE 75.650;

9, Painted Black (Morgan Barbancon Mestre) ESP 74.725;

10, Thriller (Katja Gevers) NED 72.275;

11, Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) FIN 71.650;

12, Silvano (Dorothee Schneider) GER 71.125;

13, Vancouver K (Judy Reynolds) iRL 70.000;

14, Michigan (Ulrik Moelgaard) DEN 65.300.

Facts and Figures:

The London International Horse Show at Olympia presented round five of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series tonight.
Olympic, World and European champions Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (GBR) made it a back-to-back double of new world records when following Tuesday’s Grand Prix record-breaking result of 87.460 with tonight’s new Freestyle record of 94.300.
14 horse-and-rider combinations lined out in tonight’s competition.
Runners-up, The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover, finished more than 10 percentage points behind the winning pair.
The Ground Jury consisted of: At E, A Fransen Iacobaeus SWE; At H, B Maurel FRA; At C, S Clarke GBR; At M, P Holler GER; At B, I Wessels GBR.
Dujardin recently won The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year 2014 award.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who finished third tonight with Unee BB, shares the lead on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League table with fellow-German Fabienne Lutkemeier.
The next leg of the series will take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Saturday 31 January 2015.

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced a performance close to perfection when winning tonight’s fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Olympia in London (GBR) with yet another world-record-breaking score. (FEI/Kit Houghton)

Quotes:

Charlotte Dujardin GBR, talking about tonight’s standing ovation: “it’s emotional just to walk out and have that feeling with all those people standing up, to ride in front of them, we don’t really get to see the home crowd and let them experience it. Now they’ve witnessed it, it’s very special for them”.

Edward Gal NED, talking about his performance with Glock’s Undercover: “the first part I was really happy until he started cantering and he got a bit too excited. We had mistakes in the two tempis and one pirouette was not so good, but we got better again”.

Charlotte Dujardin GBR, comparing the pressure of standing up at a Sports Award ceremony to competing at Olympia tonight: “Coming here is the easiest thing in the whole world after standing up in front of 12,000 people, coming here is a breeze! Standing in front of 12,000 people I’m not used to that. I was like a nappy horse, I wanted to run out! My heart was pounding beyond belief, literally thought it was going to come out through my dress! When I got up on stage I was ok. Coming here I was like, I can definitely do this, maybe I should do it more often!”

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League 2014/2015 – standings after Round 5 at Olympia, London (GBR):

1. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 54
1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 54
3. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 48
4. Soenke Rothenberger GER – 46
5. Danielle Heijkoop NED – 40
5. Edward Gal NED – 40
7. Adelinde Cornelissen NED – 37
7. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 37
9. Valentina Truppa ITA – 34
10. Marcela Krinke Susmelj SUI – 32
10. Morgan Barbancon Mestre ESP – 32
12. Isabell Werth GER – 30
13. Inna Logutenkova UKR – 29
14. Dorothee Schneider GER – 28
14. Ulla Salzgeber GER – 28
16. Minna Telde SWE – 25
17. Malin Hamilton SWE – 24
18. Patrick Kittel SWE – 23
19. Benjamin Werndl GER – 22

Louise Parkes