Isabell Werth Queen of Saab Top 10

A big event was expected this week at the Sweden International Horse Show in Stockholm, with Saab Top 10 Dressage finals featuring all the best dressage riders in the world. The top 8 names of FEI World Ranking were actually invited to this new competition, one of which had to be best ranked Swedish regardless of his/her place, and two Wild Cards. Mastermind behind the concept was Swedish rider Patrik Kittel. The strong starting field of the competition included European champion Isabell Werth and her fellow countrywoman Helen Langehanenberg, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Anna Zibrandtsen, Inessa Merkulova from Russia, Severo Jurado Lopez from Spain and not less than four Swedish riders on home soil – Rose Mathisen, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, Patrik Kittel and Therese Nilshagen. Winner of the first Grand Prix was Isabell Werth and her 11-year-old gelding Emilio 107 with 79,700%.  Isabell spoke to the press about his Emilio and said that she was happy because as a youngster, no one had ever had a good solution for him. But he had improved a lot in the body the last 10-15 months and now he had no problems with the international stages. Catherine Dufour, who starred at the European Championships in Gothenburg, atop of Atterupgaards Cassidy were close on second place and 79,300%. She also spoke about his Cassidy and said that he was not an easy horse indoor and actually made some little mistakes which gave Isabell the chance to win. Third place on home soil went to Therese Nilshagen and lovely 10-year-old stallion Dante Weltino OLD. They looked very comfortable to ride for the home crowd, even though it was the first big indoor competition for Dante. Saab Top 10 Dressage continues today with the Grand Prix kur. Full results, Saab Top 10 Dressage Grand Prix: https://online.equipe.com/sv/class_sections/277180 press release photo credits: Roland Thunholm www.swedenhorseshow.se