Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH ahead in Grand Prix

Multiple Olympic champion, world and European champion Isabell Werth won the dressage Grand Prix for the Prize of Stihl and the 3,000 euro that went with it at the 29th International STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS Horse Show on Saturday morning. “I’m very satisfied and so happy,” said the victor. Atop Don Johnson FRH, an 11-year old Hanoverian gelding, she scored 77.745 per cent in the qualifying class for the Grand Prix Special on Sunday morning. Riding in the Friday’s Prize of the Abelein Event Service, the qualification for the World Cup freestyle, the German placed second behind the Olympic silver medal winner Helen Langehanenberg (Germany).

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Second was Ulla Salzgeber (Germany), who, partnered by the “comebacker” Herzruf’s Erbe, was given 75.447 per cent and 2,500 euro. The 14-year old chestnut gelding is currently returning from a 13-month competitive break. Ulla Salzgeber won Olympic team gold in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004 and world championships gold in 1998 and 2002. All the medals were won on her unforgettable “Rusty” upon whom she triumphed on three occasions (2000, 2001, 2003) in the Grand Prix Special in Stuttgart.

Third place went to Austrian Victoria Max-Theurer. The three-time Olympic participant and 11-time Austrian champion was aboard the 13-year old Oldenburg stallion Hengst Augustin OLD and was awarded 73.255 points by the international jury.