Isabell Werth, the world’s No. 2 dressage rider and a five-time World Cup champion, won the World Cup Freestyle at Wellington’s Global dressage Festival riding Special Blend, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding borrowed from a student. Scoring 82.660%, this marked her first competition in Wellington since 2010 and boosted her standing to a tie for second in the Western European League. Werth praised the event’s improved atmosphere and energy, expressing enthusiasm for the sport’s global growth and her intention to return next year. Her victory came as a last-minute substitution for her usual mount, Quantaz, who was slightly injured.
Canadian rider Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu finished second with a personal best score of 79.250% on Jaccardo, positioning her well for a potential start at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Ecuador’s Julio Mendoza Loor placed third with 78.165%. The competition featured 11 riders from six nations, with several North American riders, including Kevin Kohmann and Geñay Vaughn, vying for qualification points toward the World Cup Final. The event highlighted rising talent and the growing international appeal of dressage.
