Dressage-News

BASEL, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2023–Jessica von Bredow-Werndl rode TSF Dalera BB to victory Sunday in the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle to remain unbeaten in 20 competitions and heading to the Final in Omaha as the hot favorite to repeat as champion.

Jessica and the 16-year-old Trakehner mare Dalera were awarded 90.795% for the win. As reigning World Cup champion, Jessica has fulfilled the requirements to get a start in Omaha in early April. She has maintained her unbroken record of wins despite a six-month baby break last year.

Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, a 13-year-old German Sport Horse stallion, scored 85.650% for runner-up that appeared to keep the most decorated equestrian in history still behind two other Germans for an invitation to the championships at this stage.

Nanna Skodborg Merrald in her international debut on Blue Horse Zepter was third on 84.130%. A new rule that competitors in the World Cup Western European League will require a minimum score of 65% in a CDI3* or higher raised some behind-the-scenes questions though apparently it was to come into effect after the current season ending in Omaha.

Benjamin Werndl, Jessica’s older brother, with a fourth place finish on Daily Mirror of 83.995% moved higher on the Western European standings. He has indicated this was the last competition for the 19-year-old Westfalen gelding. He has also competed Famoso, his European Championship mount, in qualifiers for the World Cup.

Ingrid Klimke also of Germany on Franziskus, who did not compete in this city’s first dressage World Cup qualifier, is one point ahead of Isabell at this stage.

Countries are limited to three riders in the Final, and the lineup for Germany is Jessica as the titleholder and Benjamin and Ingrid with four more qualifiers remaining on the Western European calendar.

Showtime FRH the Hanoverian gelding that has been ridden by Dorothee Schneider on two German Olympic gold medal teams but has suffered soundness issues in recent years was withdrawn after the Grand Prix Saturday. The Tokyo Olympics was the last successful outing for Showtime, now 17 years old.

The next event on the WEL circuit is Amsterdam Jan. 25-29.

(Correction: An earlier version incorrectly identified Dalera as KWPN. Dalera is a Trakehner mare)

Results:

World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle