Isabell Werth and her veteran Antony FRH snatched victory from
challengers Jan Brink and Bjorsells Briar, with the Danish duo of
Andreas Helgstrand and Blue Hors Cavan in third.
The 19-year-old Hanoverian by Argument, who has competed in more World
Cups than any other horse including no less than six Finals, certainly
rose to the occasion. "It was as if 'Tony' just heard the music and put
such fire and emotion into it - he was outstanding and really fighting
for it", said a delighted Werth. " It was an amazing feeling, he just
got bigger and bigger!"
Werth now stands in seventh with 46 points jointly with Denmark's Lone
Joergensen, (who finished seventh here on Ludewig G). Their German
pair's next show will be Indoor Brabant next month, and Werth would love
to ride Antony in Las Vegas and then retire him with full honours. " It
is difficult to make long term plans with him at his age, but if he is
in the shape he is today, that would be my dream."
Another bound for Indoor Brabant to survey his Las Vegas chances is Jan
Brink. "Briar feels very fit and fresh and I could really ride him
forward here", said Brink. Having made small changes to his freestyle
before Athens, Brink decided afterwards to return to the original
medal-winning programme that worked so brilliantly for them at the
Hickstead European Championships. "We made a mistake in the two-tempis
but otherwise he worked really well, " Brink added.
Andreas Helgstrand overcame a 'four-letter' grand prix ride to finish
third with Blue Hors Cavan. " Cavan was really tense and behind my leg
in the grand prix" (they placed 9th) " but today, apart from one mistake
in the one-tempis, everything else was super."
Judge at 'C' Dr Volker Moritz commented: " It was a very exciting class
and good sport. The first three riders were very close and we saw some
very good horses. Antony was clearly in a very good mood today!" On the
atmosphere, Dr Moritz added: " I have been judging here for 30 years and
there is always a spectacular audience. They are horse people, and they
know the business."
The result of the FEI Freestyle to Music qualifier overhauled the form
shown in the grand prix qualification, where Brink and Germany's Martin
Schaudt tied for the top slot after Hubertus Schmidt was eliminated for
entering the arena with his whip. The rule was introduced on January 1st
and Schmidt, who had hoped to part-qualify his second string ride Aramis
here, was the second victim this year.
The Dutch Federation substituted Sven Rothenberger and Barclay II just
before the show, and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff called it a day with
Sterntaler-Unicef after contesting the Intermediaire II. It may be only
by a point now, but she still holds the top rank in the standings on 65
points.
The next FEI World Cup dressage qualifier takes place at Indoor Brabant,
's-Hertogenbosch, Holland on March 17-20.
Result
FEI World Cup Qualifier Freestyle to Music
Presented by
Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Neumünster
and Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall
1, Antony FRH (Isabell Werth GER) 79.375
2, Bjorsells Briar (Jan Brink SWE) 78.850
3, Blue Hors Cavan (Andreas Helgstrand DEN) 78.625
4, Losdau's Loriot (Martin Schaudt GER) 76.975
5, Gribaldi (Edward Gal NED) 74.650
6, Just Mickey (Tinne Vilhemson SWE) 73.925
7, Ludewig G (Lone Joergensen DEN) 71.550
8, Ratino H (Martina Hannover-Sternberg GER) 71.525
9, Le Primeur 2 (Marie Line Wettstein FRA) 71.075
10, Donatha S (Ellen Schulten-Baumer GER) 70.875
FEI World Cup Western European League Standings (after 7 of 9 events and
3 Central European League)
1, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff GER 65
2, Andreas Helgstrand DEN 64
3, Carl Hester GBR 60
4, Edward Gal NED 53
5, Sylvia Ikle SUI 52
6, Sven Rothenberger NED 49
7= Isabell Werth GER and Lone Joergensen DEN 46
Media Contact:
Gabriele Mohrmann-Pochhammer
gmpmazurka@aol.aom
Mobile +49 172 4330934
For further information on CDI-W Neumunster
www.reitturnier.de
For further information on FEI World Cup Dressage www.horsesport.org
The FEI World Cup Dressage, initiated in 1985, is the only worldwide series in this discipline. It comprises qualifying leagues encompassing Western and Central Europe, North America, Canada and Australia. Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where
league
points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.
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