Werth Wins 2026 CDI-W Lyon on Viva Gold OLD’s World Cup Debut

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2026 CDI-W Lyon

-- FEI press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Lukasz Kowalski + PSV

Germany’s Isabell Werth guided Viva Gold OLD to victory on his World Cup debut in Lyon (FRA) on Friday 30 October 2026, as the World No.3 finished ahead of World No.2 Justin Verboomen (BEL).

After Verboomen and Zonik Plus won Thursday’s Grand Prix, Werth and the Oldenburg stallion Viva Gold OLD (by Vivaldi x For Romance) scored 87.890% in the Freestyle to finish more than two percentage points ahead.

Viva Gold Dances to Neil Diamond

Isabell Werth’s 10-year-old stallion looked in superb form throughout his Lyon debut, and as the final notes of his Neil Diamond Freestyle played, the audience clapped along and sang out loud to ‘Sweet Caroline’. It was a fitting finish to the chestnut’s first-ever FEI Dressage World Cup™ competition.

“Viva Gold was fantastic today, I’m so proud of him,” Werth said. “Viva Gold has grown and developed enormously over the past months and weeks. He can really become an absolute top horse.”

The victory also had a special connection to Lyon. Exactly five years after winning the FEI Dressage World Cup™ competition there with Weihegold OLD, Werth returned to the top with her former champion mare’s grandson, Viva Gold OLD.

Verboomen Runner Up

Belgium claimed three of the top four places, with Justin Verboomen second, Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau third, and Wim Verwimp and Jedai de Massa fourth.

Verboomen and Zonik Plus had shown great unity in Thursday’s Grand Prix. In the Freestyle, however, the gorgeous black stallion was a little less focused on his athlete. Their score of 85.810% was a strong result, but it left the door open for Werth to take the lead.

“On Thursday in the Grand Prix, the feeling was very good, but today Zonik Plus was a little more tense in the Freestyle,” said Verboomen. “Yesterday we had a very good connection; today it was more difficult to find that connection. Of course, I am still very happy with second place behind Isabell.”

Justin added, "I came to Lyon with the aim of enjoying myself. When I entered the arena, I could sense that Zonik was a bit more nervous than he was on Thursday. I just gave him free rein and, as a result, I found it a bit more difficult to establish the connection required to keep his back as supple as possible. The piaffes were more difficult. I’ll work on that for next events. I lack a bit of experience myself. But I’m still really pleased with my horse."

Belgian Barrage

Belgium’s strong showing continued with Larissa Pauluis and the KWPN bred Flambeau (by Ampere x Zeoliet), who finished third. The bay gelding produced an expressive, powerful performance, particularly in the trot tour. After setting a new personal best in the Grand Prix, Pauluis was pleased to score 80.530% in the Freestyle.

“Flambeau is still getting better and better at the age of 16,” Pauluis said. “He was not always an easy horse when he was younger, but we keep building a better partnership every time. He was completely there for me today. I had a great time. So much so that I didn’t even realise I’d made a mistake in the tempi changes (laughs)! Flambeau is improving all the time. He is more and more stable on the contact points. He has gone to a new level since the World Championships."

The final athlete into the arena was another Belgian, Verwimp, riding EJ Chin's 12-year old Portuguese sport horse bred Jedai de Massa (by Don Juan de Hus x Galopin de la Font). The pair delivered a faultless Freestyle, with the horse particularly impressive in his piaffe and passage. Their score of 80.455% was a substantial new personal best and secured fourth place.

Marieke van der Putten (NED) and the 11-year old KWPN bred Kuvasz (by Glamourdale x De Niro) completed the top five with 78.990%. Having also finished second in Herning (DEN) with Zantana (by Zonik x Sir Donnerhall)., Van der Putten now stands third in the Western European League standings. Alexandre Ayache (FRA), who collected points in Slovenia and the Czech Republic, leads the standings and added five more points in Lyon. Patrik Kittel (SWE) is currently second.

A Successful Premier for Alizée Roussel

This year, seven of the fifteen pairs competing in the class were making their debut at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International. One of those riders was France's Alizée Roussel, who will be leaving the event full of confidence with the experience she has gained here in Lyon. She finished in thirteenth place with a score of 72.875%, thanks to a technically skilful and dynamic performance, set to the music of Sia.

"I’m really happy with my horse, because he is very sensitive, so it was a real challenge for him to cope with such an atmosphere. Despite a few stressful moments, particularly during the piaffe, he managed to stay with me. He performed well in the gallop and in the extended trot. I think this will help him grow for the future." Her compatriot Alexandre Ayache took advantage of this stage in Lyon to perform a new freestyle programme. Although he still needs to fine-tune a few things, the rider from Provence scored 73.340% and finished in twelfth place.

Judges Praise Equita Lyon

Raphaël Saleh, president of the Ground Jury, echoed Werth’s views about the popularity of dressage in Lyon.

Raphael Saleh (left), Sylvie Robert (right)

"As a dressage judge, it is a great privilege to be here in this incredible arena, with stands full of spectators that are genuinely passionate about dressage, who really support our sport and get behind the riders. It is important for us that events like this continue to support dressage and enable the discipline to grow and reach new audiences."

Sylvie Robert, show director and President of GL events Equestrian Sport, was also over the moon with the great show put on by the horses and riders today/

"First and foremost, I would like to thank the riders, who come here every year and treat us to such wonderful equestrian sport, thanks to a line-up of the highest quality. I am thinking in particular of the three riders on this podium today, who continue to support us and are always here for our events. Isabell Werth has been with us since the very beginning, since this dressage event was first held in Lyon. In a way, she is like our godmother. Over the years, she’s presented so many different young horses here… This year, it’s a chestnut, which is just brilliant (laughs)!"

The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ leg takes place in Stuttgart (GER) on 13 and 14 November.