It was a wonderful evening at the CDI-W in Lyon, at the end of which Isabell Werth added one more World Cup victory to her endless list, the second victory this season. Even though Warum Nicht does not have the radiance of Gigolo, Isabell’s superstar of the 90s, he still allows the German idol to remain one of the best riders of the world. The combination topped 80,15% in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
“Hannes was more attentive tonight. One little mistake, otherwise there is nothing to add”, says the German champion who is satisfied with the good work that practically qualified her for the final. This allows her to introduce her young horses El Santo and Don Johnson, both 9-year-olds who are anxious to be part of the big scene, to the World Cup. The audience did not contest the incontestable fact and applauded the German leader of this event. Tonight's runner-up is also German: Ulla Salzberger’s horse Herzruf has to mature a little in order to win against Warum Nicht aka Hannes.
Yes, with 11 years of age, a horse is still very young in dressage! It’s also the age of the Marc Boblet’s horse Whitni Star, that showed his best World Cup performance so far with an 8th place and an average of 70%.
Valentina Truppa, riding Chablis, from Italy, caused quite a stir tonight with a third place in her very first participation in a World cup competition.