Third GERMAN MASTER in Succession for Isabelle Werth
(mps) Isabell Werth impressively underlined her status in the dressage world at the 24th International STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS Horse Show. Riding her 14-year-old Hanoverian Satchmo, the German, who is second (with Satchmo) and third (with Warum Nicht FRH) in the world rankings, secured the victory in the Grand Prix Special for the Prize of the MEGGLE Group in the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle on Sunday morning.
Having won in 2006 and 2007, the win today was the 39-year-old’s third in succession and seventh in total. It also equalled the record set by Nicole Uphoff-Becker in the years between 1988 and 1992 plus 1994 and 1995. The pair’s first performance in a Grand Prix Special since the Olympic Games in Hong Kong was given 79,360 per cent by the judges. It was a mark the top class field from both Germany and abroad never came near. The equestrian fans celebrated the worthy victor, who had previously triumphed in both Grand Prix competitions and the freestyle in Stuttgart. “I hoped I could transfer the excellent training performances. I had a good feeling yesterday in the Grand Prix and it was a good all-round ride,” said the visibly affected winner. “I had a little smile to myself before the Piaf as I imagined everybody sitting there waiting to see what was going to happen next.” It never entered her mind that something might go wrong.
Show director, Gotthilf Riexinger was full of praise: “Isabell’s display showed just what dressage is all about. For me Satchmo had never gone away, he was always there. Never before has he been given such a high mark in a Grand Prix Special.“ He congratulated the winner. “She’s the representative of dressage and equestrianism. We can only promote our sport with such personalities.”
Laura Bechtoldsheimer from Great Britain came closest to the winner with 74.800 per cent when coming second on her 13-year-old gelding Mistral Hojris. The performance earned her 6,100 euro in prize money. Third spot and 4,700 euro went to Carola Koppelmann (Germany) who saddled Le Bo to 72.240.
