Isabell Werth in First International Event Since Coronavirus Lockdown Rides Emilio to Victory in Achleiten CDI4* Grand Prix

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Isabell Werth and Emilio. File photo. © 2019 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

ACHLEITEN, Austria, July 3, 2020–In her first international competition since the worldwide coronavirus lockdown in mid-March, Isabell Werth rode Emilio to victory in the CDI4* Grand Prix Friday.

Isabell and the 14-year-old Westfalen gelding that have partnered at Big Tour for almost five years and are ranked No. 9 in the world, scored 79.500% for the win. A total of 16 combinations were lined up to compete in both Grand Prix, deliberately kept small at this first CDI in Austria since Covid-19 as a precaution against infections.

Emilio was the German team rider’s backup to Weihegold OLD for a start at the World Cup Final that was to be held in Las Vegas in mid-April but canceled because of the virus pandemic. Isabell had been pursuing a fourth straight World Cup title that would have been the longest unbroken string since the annual championship was held 34 years ago.

Victoria Max-Theurer, competing at her family home, rode Rockabilly to a personal best score of 73.565% to place second. Vici, who is coached by Isabell, has been competing Rockabilly, a 10-year-old Westfalen stallion, at Big Tour for 14 months. Their previous Grand Prix high score was 70.435% posted six months ago.

Fellow Austrian Amanda Hartung on Dresscode Black was third on 68.935%,

Results:

CDI4* Grand Prix for Freestyle

            Judges     Thomas Lang Dr. Evi Eisenhardt Christof Umbach Gabriela Valerianova Claudia Thaler    
Place   Score %   Nation Athlete Horse     E H C M B    
1.   79.500   GER Isabell Werth Emilio 107     78.804 79.457 79.783 79.022 80.435    
2.   73.565   AUT Victoria Max-Theurer Rockabilly     74.565 73.370 74.565 72.065 73.261    
3.   68.935   AUT Amanda Hartung Dresscode Black     67.935 68.152 69.565 69.674 69.348    
4.   68.630   AUT Timna Zach Chico 32     69.130 65.978 68.913 69.783 69.348    
5.   67.152   GER Alina Röhricht Dinario 6     66.413 65.326 68.587 67.283 68.152    
6.   66.783   AUT Katharina Haas Saint Tropez OLD     68.370 65.109 64.674 67.500 68.261    
7.   65.304   SUI Estelle Wettstein Donauwelle     65.435 67.283 64.130 65.326 64.348