Isabell Werth to Ride Emilio Instead of Weihegold on Germany’s Aachen Nations Cup Team

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Isabell Werth on Weihegold OLD (left) and Emilio. Images © Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

AACHEN, Germany, July 16, 2018–Weihegold OLD, the world No. 1 horse for Isabell Werth, will be replaced by Emilio n Germany’s team in the World Equestrian Festival CDIO5* Nations Cup this week, the third change in the country’s lineup to prepare for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina less than 60 days away.

The German federation said the change from Weihegold was to see how Emilio, 12-year-old Westfalen gelding, performs on the Nations Cup squad, the first team competition for the gelding on which Isabell is ranked No. 3 in the world.

Weihegold, the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare that was 2016 Olympic team gold medal mount for Isabell, World Cup champion the past two years and European Championships top combination, had proved their team value, the federation said, with a silver medal in the Grand Prix Special at the German championships.

Isabell will compete Bella Rose in the CDI4*, only the second competition in the 14-year-old mare’s comback after 3 1/2 years dealing with an injury.

Sönke Rothenberger and Cosmo, the world No. 5 pair, withdrew from the team last wweek with an infection but is expected to be fine for Tryon, while Desperados FRH, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic mount and also former No. 1 in the world with Kristina Bröring-Sprehe, was withdrawn a month ago as, the federation said, recovery from a lengthy absence was not complete.

The German Nations Cup team comprises Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB, Helen Langehanenberg on Damsey FRH, Dorothee Schneider on Sammy Davis Jr. and Isabell Werth on Emilio.

In addition to Germany, Aachen is the final WEG selection event for the United States, Denmark, Sweden and Spain.