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Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) – FEI/Richard Juilliart
The German duo of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the fabulous TSF Dalera BB claimed the coveted FEI Dressage World Cup™ title for the second time of their spectacular profession when profitable the deciding Freestyle competitors on the 2023 collection Ultimate in Omaha, USA.
They arrived on the American fixture as agency favourites however appeared weak in Wednesday’s Grand Prix when the 16-year-old mare was super-excited to return to competitors after just a few months’ break.
Dalera was proper again within the zone that noticed this famous person partnership scoop all gold on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Video games and once more on the FEI European Championships in 2021 earlier than placing their names on the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Roll of Honour 12 months in the past in Leipzig (GER).
Replicated
It appeared possible that Wednesday’s Grand Prix outcome, wherein von Bredow-Werndl’s compatriot and longtime legend, Isabell Werth, completed second with DSP Qantaz and Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Horse Zepter completed third, can be replicated. However the Danish pair, who appears to have come out of nowhere in the previous few months, produced a spectacular efficiency to demote five-time collection champion Werth to the third step of the rostrum this time round.
The sector was additional decreased to 13 starters following the withdrawal of The Netherlands’ Marieke van der Putten’s Torveslettens Titanium RS2, however the Omaha crowd have been nonetheless handled to a feast of implausible sport. They didn’t maintain again when the riders inspired them to hitch in with the thrill.
Second into the ring, Lithuania’s Justina Vanagaite had them proper behind her as she rode her one-handed ultimate line with Nabab, nevertheless it was Simone Pearce and Fiderdance who have been holding the lead on the midway stage when the Australian rider’s cheeky wave on the crowd earlier than coming to a halt was adopted by the very best rating so far, 76.575.
Raised the sport
The final remaining Dutch contender, Thamar Zweistra, raised the sport when the motion resumed with an excellent check from Hexagon’s Ich Weiss that put 78.204 on the board. “I used to be actually happy with him,” she stated. “The one-tempis have been superb; he did about 25 in a row and he was actually relaxed. I had a whole lot of enjoyable. He has a whole lot of power and that’s what I like about him; he’s at all times keen to work!”
However with 4 left to go, it was Werth and DSP Qantaz who set the brand new customary when posting 85.671 for a efficiency that oozed class. The smile on her face confirmed that 31 years after she first gained the distinguished FEI Dressage World Cup™ title, the 53-year-old athlete is having fun with herself as a lot as ever. The group adored her Bonnie Tyler themed musical rating, bursting into wild applause as she drew to a halt. She was nonetheless laughing with delight herself after leaving the ring, realizing that she had nailed her powerful floorplan.
“It was tremendous and I used to be so pleased! This was our greatest Freestyle collectively, and he was so with me that it was excellent! I actually love this Freestyle – it’s so troublesome and there’s no time to breathe or to consider what’s going on – I’m in a single tunnel and every step has to return after the subsequent and it labored actually excellent as we speak!” she stated.
Mesmerising
Then von Bredow-Werndl took the ground, and with mesmerising piaffe/passage and half-passes in each trot and canter that appear much more fluent than ever earlier than, they soared out in entrance when placing an enormous 90.482 on the board.
“She was unbelievable; she went in with no moist hair (sweat) as a result of I didn’t do rather a lot outdoors, however she was so moist due to the environment. It was actually scorching in there and she or he once more was slightly bit scared, however she trusted me 100%; that was the distinction tonight. I used to be assured and we have been mirroring one another; she was assured and I acquired assured. She was excited however she trusted me from the very first step,” the delighted 37-year-old rider stated.
America’s Steffen Peters, collection champion in Las Vegas (USA) again in 2009, was second-last to go and, at all times a crowd-pleaser and particularly on residence floor, he slotted in behind Werth with a mark of 83.921. Now solely Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter have been left to run, and it appeared the highest two locations have been already determined, however the Danish duo have been having none of that.
There’s one thing very particular in regards to the relationship these two have established in a really brief time. The chestnut gelding, previously ridden by each her Danish counterpart Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, is blossoming like by no means earlier than, although he’s already 15 years previous.
On fireplace
“He was actually on fireplace. I needed to be so cautious all the way in which round; it was a bit troublesome to return again after prolonged canter, however I’m so thrilled! My journey with him has been so brief; we’ve solely been collectively for 4 months and I’ve the sensation I can ask for a lot extra – he’s superb!” she stated after posting 87.146, which put her onto the second step of the rostrum.
She sees even larger potential within the yr forward. “To attain greater, I have to get to know him higher, however for now I simply have to take it simple and be proud of the way in which it’s, and I feel it would come slowly. The judges should get to know him additionally,” stated the 29-year-old athlete who, with Zepter’s sire Blue Hors Zack, was a member of the Danish crew that made historical past with victory eventually summer time’s FEI Dressage European Championship on residence soil in Herning (DEN).
“He provides such a tremendous feeling; he needs to take action a lot. Already within the warm-up, I may really feel it and I questioned if I ought to have labored him extra within the morning, as a result of we solely did strolling,” she defined.
“However I simply needed to work with him and make him snug and get him to hearken to me, and he provides such a great feeling. The one factor I wish to change now could be the music, as a result of I feel the theme is a bit bizarre – ‘Time to say goodbye’. It’s pretty music and it matches him completely, however the theme may very well be slightly happier so I’ll change that!” she stated with conviction.
French-themed
New double-champion, von Bredow-Werndl, gained’t be altering her French-themed Freestyle music anytime quickly, and insisted that it’s “only a good coincidence” that she has adopted it forward of the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games.
“I at all times liked (French singer) Édith Piaf… this music provides me goosebumps, particularly on the final centreline,” she stated.
Speaking about her return to the game simply a few months after giving start to her second youngster, daughter Ella Marie, who arrived final August through the FEI World Championship, she stated, “It’s only a ardour to get again within the saddle as quickly as potential, as a result of I simply love what I do and so do my horses, they usually made it fairly simple for me to return again that quick!”
Her second win places Germany on degree pegging with The Netherlands with 13 wins every on this collection, which in 2023 celebrates its thirty sixth anniversary. She has an extended solution to go to meet up with compatriot Werth, who has 5 wins beneath her belt, or Dutch famous person Anky van Grunsven, who recorded an exceptional 9 victories throughout her superb profession. However with Dalera, she is out on her personal proper now.
“Dalera is such a particular creature to have in my life. She makes every little thing potential – she is a dream!” stated the newly topped 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup™ champion.
by Louise Parkes
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