The first day of the 2012 World Dressage Masters in Munich presented by Axel Johnson Group exceeded all expectations.
With an impressive starting field of 19 riders and 10 nationalities represented, the WDM Grand Prix resulted in 16 riders scoring over 70%. Isabell Werth and her El Santo showed that experience counts, and scored the fantastic result of 77.426%, before number two Valentina Truppa, who rode her new superstar Eremo del Castegno, that charmed the judges to a score of 76.510%. On a third place came Victoria Max-Theurer and her Agustin OLD on 75.957%.
Isabell's 11-year old “Ernie” that he is called at home, or El Santo (Ehrentusch) as we know him, was showing a great form, even though Isabell herself wasn't entirely happy with the piaffe. “They can be improved, and I have some work to do there, they can be better. But he felt very good today and gave me a light feeling in the end, so I'm very happy,” she said and smiled.
Isabell took a third place in last years' WDM Grand Prix Freestyle, and returned this year, only to score gold. The secret recipe to climb from a third place to win? “There is no secret, we always try to do our best”, she says with honesty and smiles.
Wim Ernes, WDM GP Judge was dazzled by Isabell's ride. “Isabell rode like a true star. It was a really high horse and rider quality,” he says and continues: “We have seen some really high quality sport today overall, and our job as judges hasn't been easy, thanks to the very even performances and rides. With 16 riders scoring over 70% it's clear the quality was high and many riders and horses were performing really well. I must say that Valentina's horse showed an extreme amount of horse quality and Isabell showed an extreme amount of riders quality.”
Valentina Truppa was very happy with her second place and her scores. “My horse Eremo did a great job and I am so pleased with him.”
Truppa should be. The 11-year-old Italian-bred gelding, by Rohdiamant x Weltmeyer danced in the piaffe and the passage and moved not only himself and Valentina to score 76.510 points, but moved the entire audience to applause. “He is my new star in the stable and he can go very far”, she said and continued: “It was fantastic to be able to take him here, I also have Chablis with me that I rode in the WDM Palm Beach earlier this year, but Eremo is a greater mover, and to take him here to Munich is a great pleasure. It's actually one of the best outdoor competitions I know. I love to ride here!”
The results in the WDM Grand Prix makes it even more exciting for Sunday's Finals in the Nürnberger Rider Ranking that will decide what rider will go home with 25 000 Euros more in their pockets. The battle stands between two riders – last years' winner Anja Plönzke and the Swedish WDM “veteran” Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén.
Who wins will be decided on Sunday after the Grand Prix Freestyle.