Dressage-News

AARHUS, Denmark, Oct. 18, 2020–Cathrine Dufour rode Bohemian to a personal best score to in the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Sunday in the kickoff of the Western European League that generated excitement and praise from riders despite the lack of spectators as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The result for Cathrine and the 10-year-old Westfalen gelding was 88.200%, easing past the previous high of 88.190% posted at the World Cup the pair won a year ago. The pair are ranked ninth in the world and the second highest Danish combination, behind Cathrine and Cassidy, her 2016 Olympic mount at No. 5.

Isabell Werth, competing here on world No. 7 Emilio in pursuit of a fourth straight World Cup title, placed second on 87.845%. Isabell took the world title in 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Weihegold OLD and needs to compete in two qualifiers to go to the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on Zaire-E was third on 85.335%, a placing that earned the German rider enough points to put her atop the Western European standings where she already had 20 points she could carry over from a Central European World Cup competition.

Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth riding Heiline’s Danciera in the nine-year-old Danish Warmblood mare’s first Big Tour musical performance scored 84.455% for fourth place. The pair that competed at the World Young Horse Championships four years ago, began their Grand Prix career a year ago.

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel on Delaunay OLD was fifth on 82.575% that puts him second on the standings in seeking a start at the Final in his homeland.

The schedule of qualifiers for Gothenburg next April has been cut in half, to five from 10, as a result of the pandemic. Unless a show organizer applies for an event and that is approved by the International Equestrian Federation, the next qualifier is in Salzburg, Austria in December.

However, at this event which was switched from Herning to enable it to go ahead earned high praise from the riders.

Cathrine said: “It is amazing the organizers have made this happen. I think it will mean a lot for the coming World Cup season, and many top riders have chosen to ride here. It is a huge pat on the back to the organizers. The facilities at Vilhelmsborg are super, with good stabling for the horses, super and well-maintained footing–everything works for horse and rider.”

Helen Langehanenberg described the show as “a great solution” to the issue of limited spectators.

“The facilities and footing give us the perfect conditions for a show of the kind that we can have now, without the audience,” she said.

Patrik Kittel  said, “The organizers have worked so hard to make it work, after all, it is very significant. I hope others, like here at Vilhelmsborg can do something similar for the sport.”

Results:

CDI-W World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle