On Thursday, she once again topped the standings on her gelding FBW Francis after being given 75.245 percent points by the judges. It meant that she again placed ahead of the slight favourite Kristina Olson after the Bavarian was awarded 74.665 points for her performance in the saddle on the 14-year Baden-Württemberger gelding FBW Dory’s Dream. Just behind in third was another Bavarian Romina Nieberle on Free Willy, a Hanoverian gelding (72.635). The duo had finished tenth the day before.
Matthias Meyer, the CEO of the sponsors iWEST, admitted: “You can feel the suspense every year and we’re really interested in continuing the iWEST Cup next year.”
The director of the series, Holger Schulze, stressed: “The basic idea behind the cup of presenting older riders on young horses and younger riders on older horses is working a treat. The quality of the horses has improved significantly in the past 23 years.” He went on to say that the qualifier in Donaueschingen will be replaced by one in Karlsfeld. The other four venues will stay the same.
