Aboard the Oldenburg mare Weihegold OLD, Isabell Werth scored a whopping 80.020% in the World Cup Grand Prix at the 2016 CDI-W Neumunster in Germany on Saturday morning 20 February 2016 and can now rest assured that she's a clear candidate for the German Olympic team in Rio.
With Bella Rose still not having made her come back to the show ring after a year and a half break due to an injury, Werth can now rely on Weihegold (by Don Schufro x Sandro Hit) as her alternate 80% scoring mount. Werth's sponsor Madeleine Winter-Schulze recently committed herself financially to an agreement with Weihegold's owner Christine Arns-Krogmann to secure the ride for Team Werth after a multiple million euro offer was made by a rivalling European Grand Prix rider.
In Neumunster, the judging panel - consisting of Susanne Baarup, Yuri Romanov, Evi Eisenhardt, Ghislain Fouarge, and Dietrich Plewa - proved that they are all-systems-go for the new partnership of Werth/Weihegold who has previously been competed by Isabell's assistant trainer Beatrice Buchwald. The pair scored 80.020% with a low score of 77.700% and a high score of 81.300%.
"Weihegold is truly an uncomplicated, honest horse," Werth told St.Georg. "The atmosphere in the indoor arena here is not easy for horses, but Weihegold had no problems with it. She was always focused and with me."
German Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the Swiss owned Dutch warmblood stallion Unee BB (by Gribaldi x Dageraad) were the runners-up in today's large 28-head Grand Prix class. The consistent duo scored a solid 75.500% for a fault free test to finish second.
"We missed a few points today," said Von Bredow. "It began with the halt and salute and in the first pirouette there should have been one more canter stride. Also, some movements for which I got 7 today could have scored 8."
Adelinde Cornelissen and the 19-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Parzival finished third. It was six years ago since the pair last competed in Neumunster. The horse looked fresh but a spook at C on the centerline led to quite some tension in the test and some mistakes, including one in the zigzag. The high quality athlete Parzival could not hide his mileage though as the passage was no longer as even nor the trot half passes as smooth. They posted a score of 74.380%.
St. Georg asked Cornelissen what her plans for the seasons are, but the former Dutch team rider replied, "honestly I don't have any. I'll see how it goes." With Wim Ernes' position as team trainer unsure, it would be no surprise if Cornelissen would return to the Dutch team if she can keep Parzival fit. It wouldn't be the first time that a former medalist has been brought back with their "golden oldie" to secure the team effort at the Olympics. Anky van Grunsven competed the 18-year old Salinero at the 2012 Olympic Games to win team bronze.
Neumunster had a big field and quite a few of the B-stars stepped up to the plate and produced top scoring performances, including Polish Beata Stremler and Rubicon D (by Rubin Royal) who finished in a wonderful fifth place with 72.400%. Australian Kristy Oatley also found her groove on her newest Grand Prix horse Du Soleil (by De Niro) and landed 10th place with 71.320%. Danish Anna Kasprzak made her international World Cup debut on Honnerups Driver (by Romanov) but had to retire as the liver chestnut gelding got too scared in the arena.
Photos © LL-foto
Related Links
Scores 2016 CDI-W Neumunster
Photo Report: Giesselmann Tops National Grand Prix at 2016 CDI-W Neumunster