-- FEI press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Stefan Lafrent
With three wins out of three starts on the 2024-2025 Western European League World Cup show circuit, World number one Isabell Werth rocketed to the top of the WEL World Cup standing.
In the imposing and packed St. Jakobshalle in Basel, which will also host 2025 World Cup Finals in April, Werth won the Kur to Music and World Cup qualifier on Saturday 11 January 2025. She scored 83.735% aboard Quantaz.
Alpine Performances
No fewer than four Swiss combinations competed in Basel (SUI), delighting the home crowd with their performances. Jessica Neuhauser and Hildegard Riedmaier's Danish bred Rockson (by Rockefeller x Sorento) were the top Swiss finishers, claiming a respectable 10th place with 74.785% in only their third international Grand Prix ever. The 14-year old Rockson was previously shown by German Uwe Schwanz.
Representing Switzerland's neighbouring country Austria, Florian Bacher had a challenging Grand Prix with his wife Verena's Oldenburg bred Fidertraum OLD (by Fidertanz x Rubinstein), but bounced back in the Freestyle, earning 75.515%. Their score held firm until after the break and ultimately secured them eighth place.
Personal Best for Carrascosa
After the break, Borja Carrascosa (ESP) set a new personal best of 78.575% with Petra Hofmann's Westfalian bred Sir Hubert NRW (by Sir Heinrich x Florestan). The big chestnut, who also competed in last season’s World Cup Final in Riyadh (KSA) and collected more World Cup points this season in Mexico, delivered a powerful test set to vibrant Shakira music.
Carina Scholz (GER) and her seasoned partner, the 18-year old Hanoverian Tarantino (by Toronto x Carbid) impressed with their piaffe and passage work, but tension in the changes kept them just below Carrascosa's score. They finished 7th on 76.590%
Wandres and Bluetooth OLD Return to Form
“We really needed to recharge our batteries,” explained Wandres. “Last summer was long and demanding with the fight for an Olympic ticket. Our Grand Prix was still a bit conservative, but today in the Freestyle, we were back at our best.”
In the freestyle, he left nothing to chance and showed an energetic ride. The trot and canter extensions were a highlight, but Bluetooth went wide behind in the piaffes and overall needs to be more in a self carrying frame, moving more off the curb. Wandres mentioned that his focus this year will primarily be on the upcoming outdoor season.
Basquin and Netz Evenly Matched
Raphael Netz (GER) with Krall and Boss' KWPN bred Great Escape Camelot (by Johnson x Turbo Magic) and Pauline Basquin (FRA) with the Zangersheide registered Sertorius de Rima Z (by Sandro Hit x Voltaire) both delivered strong tests but narrowly missed the 80% barrier.
Basquin, who previously won the World Cup qualifier in Madrid, earned the highest score of the two, with 79.825%. Her light-footed Sertorius de Rima Z had a minor error in the one-tempi changes. Netz’s energetic presentation, which also showcased a nice and soft connection, was marred by some tension in the walk, leading them to 79.360%.
Freese Eyes the Final
Although it wasn’t part of her original plan, after her ride in Basel Isabel Freese (NOR) has shifted her focus to the World Cup™ Final with the black stallion Total Hope OLD (by Totilas x Don Schufro) owned by Lone Boegh-Hendriksen and Paul Schockemöhle. They delivered a polished Freestyle with very rhythmical piaffe and passage work, although at times the hindlegs could come under more instead of the hocks up and out. The strongpoint were the flawless tempi changes. They scored 83.490% to finish second behind Werth, but her ride was probably the smoothest and most harmonious of the top three place getters.
“Everything clicked in London, and again here. The Final is now within reach, and it would be a dream to compete there,” said the Norwegian athlete, who is based in Germany.
Werth Does It Again
Once again, Isabell Werth (GER) emerged victorious. Despite her extensive collection of titles, a win in Basel was missing from her résumé – until now. Riding Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer's DSP bred Quantaz (by Quaterback x Hohenstein), Werth previously won the qualifier in Lyon and added another 20 points to her World Cup score today. With Wendy, she won the qualifier in Stuttgart, which means she now shares the lead in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings with Carina Scholz.
Werth’s freestyle to Bonnie Tyler music featured fluid trot work and clean tempi changes, but the walk was poor in rhythm and the passage lacked collection and carriage at times. The athlete was particularly pleased with Quantaz’s relaxed performance even though the horse was a bit restless in the mouth.
“He’s not the easiest indoor horse as he can get spooked by the advertising boards, but today he was fully focused. I even managed to smile during the test,” joked the World No. 1. Basel also provided a valuable opportunity to familiarise Quantaz with the venue ahead of the Final. “Yes, I want to compete with Quantaz in the Final, and I’m already looking forward to April."
Related Links
Scores: 2025 CDI-W Basel
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024-2025 World Cup Qualifiers and Finals