The World Championships in Herning have started. It is already an exciting head-to-head race. The World Championships are causing quite a stir in general.
Especially the British rider Gareth Hughes is causing a stir. He started with a Corona infection. This was discovered at the press conference after the competition. Thanks to him, the British took second place. “He does not have to be quarantined under the current laws,” said a woman from the British team. All the rules had been followed, she said. “He kept his distance from everyone,” she explained.
Germany still beatable
After six gold medals at major international events, Germany’s winning streak in dressage has come to an end with a newly formed team. With a team of four new pairs, the team had to be satisfied with bronze behind the Danish hosts and Great Britain at the World Championships in Herning. Although the German team could not keep up their winning streak, they still achieved their goals, said Dennis Peiler, Sports Director of the German Equestrian Federation FN. “We wanted to qualify for the Olympics, we achieved that. And we wanted a medal, we also achieved that. In this respect we can be satisfied.”
No longer favourites
German victories seemed to be a matter of course for the dressage team for a long time, but they are no longer. Isabell Werth also said: “You have to stay on the ground. Even in the run-up to the competition, the team was not considered the favourite, but second place was the minimum target. “The hope was higher,” said Equipe boss Klaus Roeser. “But basically we are satisfied. More was not possible here today.” The national coach, Monica Theodorescu, was not disappointed either. “All the pairs delivered”. In addition, she said, the team was in a state of upheaval and there were currently no pairs for more than 80 per cent, so this was more than utopian.
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour with Vamos Amigos was too strong as the last Danish starter in the Grand Prix. Frederic Wandres and his Duke of Britain from Hagen near Osnabrück (Germany) could not top their result with his first WEG ride and could not push the British rider out of second place either.
Success cannot be taken for granted. “We cannot always assume that we will arrive with four pairs that will get 80 per cent plus,” Werth said. Besides, she said, it is also good for the sport if it is exciting. That also applies to her. Because her Quantaz cannot yet follow in the footsteps of her two previous successful horses, Bella Rose and Weihegold, but they were able to show good performances at the WEG.
New team for Germany
Germany started in Herning with a new team. None of the pairs who won gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the European Championships in Hagen last year were competing in Denmark. In particular, double Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Dalera was missing.
Ingrid Klimke with Franziskus and Benjamin Werndl with Famoso laid the foundation for the medal in the opener on Saturday. Both achieved their best result in a Grand Prix so far. Both showed a good performance. “I am totally happy,” commented the 54-year-old Ingrid Klimke on her debut with Franziskus. Although she is already a two-time Olympic Eventing Champion, this is the first time she has ridden in a dressage team at a championship.
The competition continues on Monday. After the team decision on Sunday, the World Championships will continue on Monday with the Grand Prix Special, the first of two individual decisions. However, the Germans are not the title favourites here either.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
