Germany queen of the Dressage

Isabell Werth has been the undisputed queen of dressage in Gothenburg up till this moment. The 48-year-old earned a first gold medal in the team event; then added a second in the Freestyle Grand Prix riding on Weihegold Old. This is the German’s third GP special title, following the her first in Donaueschinen, Germany, back in 1991 when she rode Gigolo, and her second in Lipica, Slovenia, three years after that. Another German, Sonke Rothenberger on Cosmo, took the silver medal with a score of 82.479% in the GP Special, while Dane Cathrine Dufour, on Atterupgaards Cassidy, finished third on 79.762%. 
The veteran rider continues saw her horse Weihegold Old continue its golden moment of form, and while the veteran’s steed is renowned Rothenberger’s Cosmo is a new name on the scene. Cosmo has the lineage of a jumper, having been sired by Marco Kutscher’s Van Gogh, but dances on the field like few others. Despite their young age the duo has made a considerable impact on the world of dressage. Combined, the partnership of Rothenberger and Cosmo, are just 30 years of age and made their debut in Rio de Janeiro, but have already won the Olympic team event in 2016 and the knight was awarded the FEI Longines Rising Star Award. Considering their track record, it would not be much of a gamble to say they are worthy heirs’ to Germany glorious dressage tradition. 
In regards to the team event; Denmark claimed a surprise silver (224.643%), while home nation Sweden took bronze (221.143%).  
TEAM DRESSAGE 

INDIVIDUAL GRAND PRIX SPECIAL

Photo: Germany’s Sonke Rothenberger (silver) and Isabell Werth (gold), along with Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour (bronze) on the podium for today’s Dressage Grand Prix Special at the FEI European Championships 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden. 

(FEI/Richard Juillart)

www.gothenburg2017.com

www.fei.org

Marzia Cucchetti