Matthias Rath Wins 2023 CDI-W Wroclaw World Cup Qualifier, Pape Wins 3* Tour

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2023 CDI-W Wroclaw

Matthias Rath and Destacado won the World Cup qualifier in Wroclaw, Poland, on 26 - 29 October 2023, while Susan Pape piloted V-Plus to his first international big tour victory in the 3* tour.

With the CDI-W Zakrzow ceasing to be, the organisational team behind this World Cup qualifier simply moved its show to a different venue and it was business as usual with a full programme of classes from pony level to Grand Prix.

Rath Wins World Cup Qualifier

Matthias Rath continued his winning streak of the summer through the autumn on the 10-year old Hanoverian licensed stallion Destacado FRH (by Desperados x Londonderry). While the chestnut always held the number one position in the barn, he got overtaken by stall mate Thiago GS (by Totilas x Warkant) in July as Thiago snatched a spot on the German team for the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck and not Destacado.

The chestnut, however, did not lose his edge. After scoring a double win at the CDI Crozet in August, the pair dominated the Wroclaw Grand Prix with 75.130% and claimed valuable world cup points by topping the board in the freestyle with 79.755%.

"A 79.75% in the GP Freestyle and the win, completed a great weekend at the CDI-W Wroclaw with Destacado FRH. So so happy with this horse," Rath took to Instagram.

Double Win for V-Plus

Susan Pape and V-Plus were unbeaten in the 3* tour, winning both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special on the 9-year old stallion’s first international big tour appearance.

V-Plus (by Vivaldi x Furst Romancier) was a PSI Auction price highlight in 2018 when Harmony Sport Horses secured him for 1.2 million euro for Susan Pape to ride. At the 2019 World Young Horse Championships the pair finished 14th in the 5-year old consolation finals. Three years later he returned to the CDI ring at small tour level in Wellington, where did one test and won. A year later he resurfaced in Wellington for two more small tour classes in January 2023 which he won and placed second in. Wroclaw was his CDI Grand Prix debut.

Thirteen horses competed in the 3* Grand Prix for Special, which Pape won with 71.196%. Seven moved forward to the Special and the pair won again with 67.830%.

“I was very happy in the Grand Prix - he was so with me, he was very light, and did everything I asked of him,” Susan told British Dressage. “Sure enough the changes could be more forward, that will be the icing on the cake in future, but it was only his second ever Grand Prix and I was very happy. He did one national Grand Prix, then had a little break before Wroclaw, and he’s having another small break before we prepare to go to Florida for the winter. It’s so nice there because you can focus on the horses and really pick your classes, and everything is close by.”

Describing Harmony’s V-Plus, Susan added; “He’s very sweet and, although he’s a breeding stallion, with riding he is absolutely with you. He’s very easy to travel and easy at shows. He’s a pleasure.”