Isabell Werth and Satchmo rode their special Freestyle with music with the unique emotional voice of soprano Montserrat Caballe at the World Cup Qualifier in Frankfurt yesterday, casting a spell on audience and judges alike.
Werth and Satchmo made their Freestyle as sparkling as they could without taking special risks, thus giving the preference to harmony, lightness and easiness. Difficult transitions from extended canter into a pirouette and two tempi changes into one tempi changes impressed, but almost the most impressive was the modesty and harmony in the performance. Werth didn't take part in evening sessions in Stuttgart out of respect of the remembrance of Dieter Schulze, the late husband of her horse owner and friend Madeleine Winter-Schulze who died last week and to whom she owns so much.
Last year Isabell Werth took the WC win aboard her chestnut Warum Nicht FRH in the Grand Prix Freestyle scoring 79,25%. This time she was rewarded with 82,0%. There is no doubt that Isabell Werth wants to go for it and give all she has, bringing her to the WC Final at the end of the season in April 2009 in Las Vegas.
Runner up was the German reserve for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, Monica Theodorescu aboard her 10-year-old talented chestnut Whisper.
Monica had some special music tunes in mind of Joe Cocker and Lou Reed, to show the quality of Whisper even more.
Chairman of the judges Mariette Withages said: “The harmony was the decisive impression of the three first placed riders. They all were an example of the way we judges very much like to see dressage.”
Danish Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein took her advantage by showing a very harmonious test aboard her homebred Digby as well. The Olympic team bronze winning pair were rewarded with third place.
Unfortunately this harmony was lacking a bit in the performance of Nadine Capellmann and Elvis. Elvis, originating from a showjumping pedigree but blessed with very elevated movements became too hectic after the extended canter and ended in seventh place.
RESULTS
1. SATCHMO Isabell Werth (GER) 82,0%
2. WHISPER Monica Theodorescu (GER) 77,750%
3. DIGBY Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgensrein (DEN) 76,250%
4. DONATHA S Ellen Schulten Baumer (GER) 75,100%
5. MEGGLE'S WELTALL VA Dieter Laugks 74,00%
6. NARTAN Jeannette Haazen (NED) 73,550%
7. ELVIS VA Nadine Capellmann (GER) 72,80%
8. CORINTH Marcela Krinke-Susmeij (SUI) 71,70%
9. TANNENHOF'S SOLERO Anja Plonzke (GER) 71,60%
10. FALCAO OLD Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT) 71,000%
11. RELAMPAGO DO RETIRO Hayley Beresford (AUS) 69,650%
12. FLORESCO Patrik Kittel (SWE) 67,900%
13. PREMIER Aat van Essen (NED) 67,15%
14. HOFGUT LIEDERBACH'S BARCLAY Johan Svensson (SWE) 66,80%
15. CHABLIS Valentina Truppa (ITA) 66,500%
Western European League standings following four competitions:
1 Hans Peter MINDERHOUD NED 45
2. Monica THEODORESCU GER 42
2. Christa LAARAKKERS NED 42
4. Isabell WERTH GER 40
4. Adelinde CORNELISSEN NED 40
6. Heike KEMMER GER 31
7. Anke TER BEEK NED 30
8 Evi STRASSER * CAN 29
9. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN DEN 27
9. Gina CAPELLMANN – LUTKEMEIER GER 27
9. Jan BRINK SWE 27
12. Jeannette HAAZEN NED 26
12. Marcela KRINKE SUSMELJ SUI 26
12. Stefan VAN INGELGEM BEL 26