The opening qualifier of the Western European League in the FEI World Cup™ in Odense for a sold out audience was won by 38 year old queen of dressage Isabell Werth partnering her mount of her World Cup™ win in Las Vegas earlier this year Warum Nicht with 79,50%.
Runner up Swedish Jan Brink technically was the slightest of a margin better with a faultless test, however dressage on the edges is about taking risks as well.
And this is one of the capabilities Isabell Werth always explores to the utmost. As chairman of the judges Danish Leif Törnblad stated: “The quality of this class was pleasantly good! It was not a challenge for one or two, but the first ten placed riders performed top class. With this quality the difference is not only between mistakes or faultless performances, it is also about exploring a high degree of difficulties. And in taking the risks of the higher, Jan Brink lost a few points that Isabell Werth gained.”
Isabell Werth was relieved that her ‘Hannes’ as she nicknames the impressive big chestnut was more at ease than the day before in the Grand Prix. “I think everyone could see that yesterday it was a ride between highlights and big mistakes. Hannes was a bit spooky because of the atmosphere and it was very difficult to get him at ease in the arena. I am happy we managed so well today”, said Werth at the press conference. She was rewarded not only with precious first points in the standings of the FEI World Cup™, but also was the winner of a car and other gifts in kind, huge prizes for dressage. Runner up Jan Brink was rewarded with a car as well, which made the two make the statement to praise the sponsors of Odense’s first FEI World Cup™ Qualifier.
The prize money for dressage in Odense might be called a world record and a unique first time event, as the dressage prize money exceeded the prize money for show jumping in Odense. For Isabell Werth this had been the reason to choose for Odense instead of the Maastricht show, she explained. Both Isabell Werth and Jan Brink said they liked to keep the car. “It’s a convenient size”, Isabell expresses and Jan Brink added that although he just like Isabell must have won five cars by now this one will just be perfect for his staff at his farm. Organiser Bo Kristoffersen of JBK Horseshows who after the FEI World Cup™ Arhus last year now had his second experience with a dressage qualifier added that the best prizes were needed to gain the interest of the best riders for your show.
Although, it wasn't just the riders that were rewarded this weekend in Odense, as both young and old were given the opportunity to experience first hand the thrills and excitement of "My Horse and Me", a unique equestrian video game supported by the FEI on display at a stand in the trade fair and about to hit the shops around the world.
Odense also saw the birth of a new star in Casmir. The Danish crowd got really wild for Andreas Helgstrand and Casmir, after the fifth place in the Grand Prix moving up to third position in the Freestyle. The personality of Helgstrand shines everywhere he comes in. The injury of Blue Hors Don Schufro is still not healed, the grey medal winner Matiné is still out as well, so now 8 year old Casmir carries Helgstrand to new fame. The modest rider hardly could tell which of the three might be the best. “However at this age of 8 Casmir is better than Blue Hors Matiné was in that age”, Helgstrand commented.
Compatriot Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein again had a good day and finished fourth just like in Grand Prix. “Digby is not spooky about the surroundings like my other horse Rigoletto”, she said. However she borrowed something from Rigoletto's Kür from Torino, which she didn’t try before on a show. “We made ends meet and stayed on the course!", said Nathalie in conclusion with a big smile, reminding to her falling off Rigoletto after the final halt in Torino.
After the historic team gold of the Dutch in Torino, Dutch Laurens van Lieren for the first time entered a show again. “Me and Hexagon’s Ollright enjoyed our deserved pause. The FEI World Cup™ now is the perfect build up towards the Olympic selections, which is the next great aim. After Odense I will prepare for the qualifiers in Frankfurt, Mechelen and Amsterdam and see what will come from that”, Laurens said, who is also cooperating with a live television show following him through all selection challenges for the OG Hong Kong as well as looking for new talented stars that are also aiming for a life devoted to dressage sport and horses. In Odense he ended sixth, commenting: “Fantastic show, great potential, a wonderful audience that loves the sport, and you can feel that. For myself I am happy with my horses and just need some practice to improve again.”
Also practicing for the OG in Hong Kong was Bernadette Pujals from Mexico, surprising with an individual top twelve position at the WEG 2006 in Aachen. It was a close run and she achieved 75,10% on Vincent, fifth position.
The only sad incident in regard to Odense happened before the show. On their way to Odense Dutch competitor Jeannette Haazen and her husband were involved in a serious car-accident near Osnabrück in Germany and went hospitalized. Jeannette Haazen who already recovered from quite some over the past years (a.o. broken backbone and a hernia) has severe swellings on her leg, her husband Chris is worse and has been operated for an open bone fracture yet. The horses remained unharmed.
Photo Copyrighted: Ridehesten.com
Back to the 2008 World Cup Index