Dressage-News

ACHLEITEN, Austria, July 4, 2020–Victoria Max-Theurer debuted her 10-year-old Rockabilly at Grand Prix Freestyle Saturday to post the rider’s first Big Tour score above 80% in five years to be runner-up to German superstar Isabell Werth on her world No. 9 Emilio.

Isabell and the 14-year-old Westfalen gelding that was her backup to defend her World Cup title at the Las Vegas event canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic received a score of 86.200% for the victory. It was Isabell’s first international event since mid-March when equestrian competitions like most sports around the globe were halted by the virus.

The musical performance  by the 34-year-old Vici on the stallion Rockabilly earned the pair 81.225% at her home show and runner-up to Isabell and Emilio as they were in the Grand Prix Friday.

Vici first competed Rockabilly at Big Tour in France in October last year, followed by three shows of Grand Prix and Special to the end of 2019.

She is coached by Isabell Werth.

Fellow Austrian Timna Zach on Chico placed third on 72.125%.

The score for Vici, a four-time Olympian and the Austrian rider top ranked on the world standings, was the first above 80% since July in 2015 on Augustin. She scored above 80% on Augustin at Big Tour on at least eight occasions during her career on the Oldenburg stallion that was Vici’s mount at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 Normandy World Equestrian Games and three European Championships.

The competition here, the 21st international dressage tournament at Achleiten, was limited to 15 riders and 26 horses was a trial run of safety protocols for the next two CDI4* competitions, July 23-26 and Aug. 14-16.

Results:

CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle