Werth and Viva Gold OLD Deliver Home Victory at the 2026 CDI-W Stuttgart

-- FEI press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Stefan Lafrentz

Two weeks after claiming their first World Cup win in Lyon, Germany's number one Isabell Werth and what seems to be her hopeful for the L.A. Olympics,  Viva Gold, captured a second consecutive World Cup win on home turf in Stuttgart on Saturday 14 November 2026. 

Werth and the 10-year-old stallion (by Vivaldi x For Romance) scored 88.560% riding to crowd pleasing song "Sweet Caroline" and achieved a new personal best for the combination. Belgium's Larissa Pauluis nd Flambeau finished second, pipping Marieke van der Putten (NED) and Zantana in third.

Massive Lead

After a highly scored but not so faultfree Grand Prix, Werth pulled out all the stops in her signature specialty - riding freestyles - and won by more than six percentage points. The crowd and judges ate out of her hand and sang along to the Neil Diamond freestyle.

“Viva Gold felt just really amazing,” said Werth. “He improves week by week and develops in a great way. I’m very proud of him. He’s a real showman.”

After her win, Werth confirmed she would like to compete at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE).

“The World Cup competitions have always been important to me, so I would like to aim for the Final,” she said. “Viva Gold will have a break now. I would like to compete with Wendy de Fontaine in Basel, and then we will make our plans step by step.”

Pauluis Back for More

Last year Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis rode the maximul allowed six World Cup qualifiers on her energizer bunny Flambeau (by Ampere x Zeoliet), but then opted not to ride at the World Cup Finals despite qualifying.

This year the rider has kicked off the winter season with starts in Lyon as well as Stuttgart  and her 16-year-old Flambeau takes it all in stride. After finishing third in Lyon two weeks ago, the pair took second place behind Werth in Stuttgart with a score of 82.555%.  Pauluis rides to music by U2.

“Flambeau also loves atmospheres like this, although he was quite alert today,” said Pauluis. “I always have my music turned up nice and loud, which he loves. This is not an easy arena, but it is a fantastic one, so I am very proud of how well he performed.”

Van der Putten Leads the Ranking

After finishing second in the Grand Prix, Van der Putten and the 12-year old Oldenburg mare Zantana (by Zonik x Sir Donnerhall) placed third in the freestyle. Zantana's was a bit more charged in the electric atmosphere of the freestyle which led to some tension in the walk tour and a trot half-pass.

“Zantana needs to compete at several shows to maintain this routine, so we will certainly enter her more often this season,” said Van der Putten.

Two Swedish combinations filled fourth and fifth place as they joined the contest for a place at this season’s World Cup™ Final on home soil. Patrik Kittel (SWE) finished fourth with Peter Falk's Zum Gluck (by Zonik x Florestan), formerly ridden by Marieke van der Putten and owned by her sponsor RS2 Dressage.  Kittel scored 79.165%.

His compatriot Maria von Essen (SWE), who finished third at the season opener in Herning, placed fifth with Invoice (by Jazz x Ferro), just behind Kittel, with a score of 79.145%.

Following the FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg in Stuttgart, Van der Putten now leads the Western European League standings with 44 points. Kittel is second on 43 points, with Werth third on 40.

Related Links
Scores: 2026 CDI-W Stuttgart
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2027 World Cup Finals and Qualifiers