Unbeatable Tobias Takes fifth Gold in a Row

Tobias Thorning Jørgensen (DEN) left no room for suspense in Grade III at the Orifarm Healthcare FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2022 in Herning (DEN) today. Riding his lovely mare Jolene Hill, Tobias scored a massive 78,676% to comfortably take the title ahead of silver medallist Natasha Baker (GBR) and Keystone Dawn Chorus on 73.970%, who was closely followed by Rebecca Hart (USA) on her World and Paralympic medal winning horse, El Corona Texel. 

Tobias reflected on his gold medal after the ceremony, and said: “It was amazing to finally get into the arena and finally get this medal. You have all these expectations from others and yourself and you want to do good, but you never know with horses, so I am very happy to finally have accomplished what I was fighting for, to get the gold in all three championships Europeans, Paralympic and now the Worlds”. 

“It is just amazing to be at the top of the podium with such good riders in the grade.”

Michelle ends eight-year wait for World title 

Grade V on the other hand was a real nail-biter as Michele George (BEL) and Best of 8 went in the lead with 76.419%. The defending World Champion Sophie Wells (GBR) and her new horse Don Cara M looked like a good candidate for the gold. Unfortunately, a mistake in the canter transition put her out of the contention for gold and she finished with 75.279% and the silver medal. Frank Hosmar and Alphaville N.O.P. were as close as you can be when they finished just 0.023% behind Sophie with 75.256%. 

“It still feels amazing to have the gold around my neck!” she said after stepping off the podium. “I am speechless, honestly. We worked so hard for this and as I told you it is a new competition and a new start and I’m just so proud of her.”

When comparing this title to those she has won before, she added: “It is even better. I am happy, but I always feel I can do better so we train hard and when you win you feel like it wasn’t for nothing”.

Tomorrow sees the start of the team competition with Grade I, II and IV athletes retuning to the arena for what will undoubtedly be another two days of thrilling Para Dressage competition. 
 
Full Results here