Isabell Werth and her 18-year old equine dancing partner Don Johnson proved that they still got moves and won the Grand Prix Kur to Music on the final day of competition at the 2019 CDI 4* Fritzens Sunday afternoon 30 June 2019.
Werth and Madeleine Winter-Schulze's Hanoverian gelding (by Don Frederico x Warkant) wrapped up the 25th edition of the Manfred and Hilde Swarovski Memorial Show at Klaus and Evelyn Haim-Swarovski's Schindlhof in the Tyrlean Alps with a victory in the final class of the event, their fourth win out of four starts on the weekend.
The 25th edition of the shows brought out record temperatures of 38 C° and attendees counting over 3,000 heads the show grounds on Sunday. This turned the total amount of spectators into more than 6,000 over three days. The CDI 4* drew out the VIP's such as ÖSV-president Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel, slalom Olympian and Arabian breeder Mario Matt, Ski race Olympic champion Leonhard Stock and dressage Olympic champion Sissy Max-Theurer.
Six-time Olympian Isabell Werth was the star of the show and with 81.78% in the freestyle, she and Don Johnson clocked their 53rd international Grand Prix level win in their career. The horse is set to retire from competition sport soon.
"I'm thankful to Johnny for braving the heat and therefore I only did a very short warm up," said Isabell. "I'm also grateful to the Haim-Swarovski couple, their children Marie and Max and the entire team at Schindlhof. Year after year they are able to bring together a new, familiar atmosphere and top sport. I actually sent home an extra photo as people there believed I was on holiday here, because it's so beautiful here."
Werth's student Lisa Müller ranked third aboard her 16-year old Baden Wurttemberger gelding Dave (by Denaro x Rehberg) which she initially bought as a schoolmaster and who has proven to be more than competitive in an international field. They posted 76.425% for third place.
Austria's triple Grand Prix champion Belinda Weinbauer saddled Marianne Jerich's 13-year old Westfalian mare Fraulein Auguste (by Florencio x Worldly) and landed fourth place with 75,145%.
"A beautiful end to a great weekend," said Weinbaur. "August did a super job as this was only her third international Grand Prix test."
Weinbauer brought two horses to Fritzens: Fustanella and Fraulein Auguste as her 2017 European Championship ride Sohnlein Brilliant hasn't been out to show in a year. Both mares now get a short break and will then pick up training again towards the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam.
"I'm very proud of Fackeltanz that he did all well in these temperatures," said Lehfellner. "The mistake at the end of the test is mine. I'm very impressed by this horse."
Photos © Selene Scarsi - No reproduction allowed without permission
Related Links
Scores: 2019 CDI Fritzens
Coverage of the 2019 CDI Fritzens on Eurodressage
