Germany's Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD claimed their second consecutive FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg as they took first place on home soil in Stuttgart.
After winning in Lyon two weeks ago, Werth and the 10-year-old stallion also topped the results in Stuttgart, scoring 88.560% for a new personal best for the combination. Larissa Pauluis (BEL) and Flambeau finished second, with Marieke van der Putten (NED) and Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. in third.
Werth and Viva Gold OLD won by more than six percentage points, producing impressive piaffe, passage and pirouettes. The crowd sang along to their Neil Diamond freestyle and applauded enthusiastically during the final line.
“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.”
Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis and her 16-year-old Flambeau are also in top form. After finishing third in Lyon two weeks ago, the pair took second place behind Werth in Stuttgart with a score of 82.555%. Flambeau looked fresh and alert, producing an energetic freestyle with standout piaffe and passage. As the last combination to start, Pauluis and Flambeau moved ahead of Van der Putten and Zantana.
“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.”
After finishing second in the Grand Prix, Van der Putten and Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P. placed third in the freestyle. Van der Putten kept her mare cool, guiding Zantana through the arena with the lightest of aids. However, some tension in the walk tour and a trot half-pass affected their score.
“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 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final on home soil. Patrik Kittel (SWE) finished fourth with Zum Gluck 4 after a fluent and mistake-free freestyle, scoring 79.165%. His compatriot Maria von Essen (SWE), who finished third at the season opener in Herning, placed fifth with Invoice, 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.
The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg takes place in Madrid (ESP) on 27 and 28 November.