Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl Pins Defending Champion Isabell Werth into Second in third leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup 2019/2020 Western European League
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was “over the moon” after winning the third leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup 2019/2020 Western European League on home ground at Stuttgart (GER). Riding the 12-year-old Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB, with which she claimed team gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 and individual Freestyle bronze at this summer’s European Championships in Rotterdam (NED), she produced a breathtaking performance to pin defending triple-champions Isabell Werth and Weihegold into second place.
The host nation completely dominated the line-up with Helen Langehanenberg, Dorothee Schneider and Benjamin Werndl finishing third, fourth and fifth. For von Bredow-Werndl this was a very special result.
“It’s like Christmas coming early!”
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER)
Werth, winner with Emilio at the second leg of the series in Lyon (FRA) two weeks ago, looked set to march to victory once again after topping the day before’s Grand Prix when Bredow-Werndl had to settle for second place. But a couple of blips saw the legendary lady trailing her team-mate who set a massive target-score of 88.440 when second-last to go.
The Freestyle began with Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K posting 80.755 on the board. Helen Langehanenberg demoted the Irish duo with a brilliant performance from her 17-year-old stallion, Damsey FRH, who danced up the centreline with foot-perfect tempi-changes to post 83.735. Dorothee Schneider and DSP Sammy Davis Jr slotted in close behind with 83.395 and Benjamin Werndl riding Daily Mirror scored 80.900.
As Werth set off with her last-to-go ride, it seemed only a matter of form that she would overtake her compatriot’s score. But Weihegold’s test wasn’t clean, and despite a confident one-handed passage to finish, their mark of 87.240 would only be good enough for runner-up spot.
Werth commented;
I had super piaffe/passage but had two little mistakes. I maybe risked too much – Jessica deserves to win tonight”, said the five-time champion who is chasing down four titles in a row.
The top nine on the Western European League will qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup 2020 Final, and after the first three qualifiers, the leading four on the league table are all Germans – von Bredow-Werndl and Frederic Wandres sharing pole position followed by Langehanenberg in third and Benjamin Werndl in fourth place.
The next leg will take place in Madrid (ESP) in two weeks’ time.
Full results here
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