Isabell Werth and Patrik Kittel were the Grand Prix class winners on the first day of competition at the small 2018 CDI Cappeln hosted at Sissy Max-Theurer's Gestut Vorwerk.
The show kicked off on Friday 10 August 2018 and featured 17 riders in the Grand Prix for Special and 12 in the Grand Prix for freestyle.
Werth and Bella Rose (by Belissimo M x Cacir AA) won the Grand Prix for freestyle with 79.500% despite going off course for the zig zag movement in which she rode the pirouette instead. “Better here than in Tyron," Werth grinned. “I just was in a trance because riding Bella Rose is just a like a dream." After Fritzens, Aachen and Cappeln Isabell Werth is very satisfied with the development of her chestnut mare. “She already is much more relaxed, has much more energy gives herself more time.”
British WEG team short listed rider Lara Butler and Wilfried Bechtolsheimer's Rubin al Asad (by Rubin Royal) came second in the distance (71.32%), followed by Dutch Marlies van Baalen with Ben Johnson (70.60%). Fourth place went to Emma Kanerva with Dambacu (68.50%).
Cappeln has been designated as one of the last German WEG team observation trials and Isabell Werth's decision to show Bella Rose there and not Weihegold has certainly sparked more rumours that the world's number one Weihegold is not entirely fit and Bella Rose has become Werth's number one choice for the WEG team with Emilio, of course, as back up.
Eurodressage talked to Weihegold's owner Christine Arns-Krogman, who confirmed that the mare is fit and will prove show shape at the 2018 CDI Donaueschingen next week.
Swede Patrik Kittel won the Grand Prix for Special on the 10-year old Swiss bred and owned Well Done de la Roche CMF (by Furstentraul) with 75.04%.
“Except for a few minor details today was a perfect round. She may have a few hp too many, but I took my time with her which is now paying off.” Accordingly he hasn’t been able to decide whether the “super consistent” Deja or the “up and coming star” Well Done will be his horse for the World Equestrian Games in Tyron. Second place went to the Irish Judy Reynolds with Vancouver K (73.63%), third place went to Juliette Ramel/SWE with Buriel K.H.
In the international dressage horse test for five-year-olds the grey horse, Caracciola MT under Melanie Tewes (8.35 points), who are both based at Vorwerk, had his nose right in front of his neighbor Duracau with Yvonne Henke (8.10 points). Polish Anna Lukasik and Dean Martin won in the preliminary test for seven-year-olds (7.38).
Photo © Michael Rzepa
Related Link
Scores: 2018 CDI Cappeln