Stuttgart – The Grand Prix freestyle in Stuttgart, a leg on the way to the World Cup final in Omaha (USA) at the start of April, produced goose bump moments. An 8,000-crowd enjoyed top class equestrianism in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle where all the seats were taken for the dressage highlight at the 36th STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS. And the frenetic Stuttgart public enjoyed a sensational win. Contrary to what had been expected prior to the class, Isabell Werth – the most successful dressage rider of all time – missed out on the tenth freestyle win in the capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Saddled on DSP Quantaz, the German showed a test full of the highest difficulties. Mistakes however, above all in the flying changes, cost valuable points. In scoring 82.030 per cent, the seven-time Olympic champion eventually finished back in second. The big surprise was sprung by compatriot Ingrid Klimke on her Hanoverian stallion Franziskus FRH. In the two’s freestyle, there was a whole series of highlights which were rewarded with 83.440 per cent (a personal best) and the World Cup win.
“I just didn’t expect it. I’d have been satisfied with second or third place. All the nicer that we were able cause a little sensation,” said the highly popular rider. Back in 1987, her father, the unforgettable Reiner Klimke, won the test. In third place behind Ingrid Klimke and Isabell Werth was fellow German Benjamin Werndl on the 18-year-old Daily Mirror (81.885). At the press conference afterwards, the top three raved about the special atmosphere. “The spectators were wonderful. We were basically carried to top performances,” said the freestyle winner Ingrid Klimke.
