Isabell Werth added a win in Neumünster at the weekend to her triumphs in Odense and Frankfurt earlier this season.
Last into the arena with Warum Nicht FRH, the partnership put mistakes in the tempi changes in the previous day’s grand prix behind them to score an impressive 82.75%.
“A win is never decided before your ride,” said Isabell. “I know always the pressure is on. Yesterday’s mistakes in the changes I purely have to blame on myself. ‘Hannes’ has improved a lot since last year, especially in the piaffe and passage. I am happy it paid off in the arena and am looking forward to the final.”
Jan Brink and the 17-year-old Björsells Briar took second, narrowly ahead of Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand with his young hope Gredstedsgard Casmir.
The crowd loved Andreas’ performance to 70s pop music. He said afterwards: “This no doubt was my best test ever.”
Jan was pleased with Briar’s freestyle performance, following some mistakes in the grand prix. “Even a horse like Briar can just make mistakes after a break between shows. But today he performed to his best. He was very fresh, motivated and willing to do everything he possibly could. I hope it will stay this way, as he is my hope for the FEI World Cup final and my number one horse for the Olympic Games in Hong Kong.”
Kyra Kyrklund has secured her place in the final with Max, despite having some problems with the footing in the arena in the grand prix.
Neumünster World Cup qualifier
1. WARUM NICHT FRH Isabell Werth GER 82.75%
2. BJORSELLS BRIAR Jan Brink SWE 78.50%
3. GREDSTEDGARDS CASMIR Andreas Helgstrand DEN 78.30%
4. MAX Kyra Kyrklund FIN 76.45%
5. DIGBY 2 Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein DEN 74.05%
6. WANSUELA SUERTE Hubertus Schmidt GER 72.25%
7. PICCOLINO Klaus Husenbeth GER 72.25%
8. PAGANINI Jeroen Devroe BEL 72.10%
9. ISIDOR 46 Louise Nathhorst SWE 71.25%
10. MEGGLE’S WELTALL VA Dieter Laugks GER 70.70%
11. ZANCOR Anna-Katharina Lüttgen GER 69.20%
12. DJ ONE MORE TIME Camilla Sygall GBR 68.20%
13. 15. WHITNI STAR Marc Boblet FRA 67.25%
14. DONNA GRACIA Stéphanie Peters NED 66.90%
15. FLORIANUS Karin Rehbein GER 64.90%
