Isabell Werth and Wendy win the Grand Prix Special, Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus the freestyle at the CDIO5* Fontainebleau

Isabell Werth and Wendy won the Grand Prix Special at Fontainebleau with 79.893 percent and first place from all the judges. Werth rode the trot tour in a concentrated manner from point to point with clear differences between the individual tempi’s and somewhat hurried reinforcements. The connection to the rider’s hand was also quite strong, both in trot and canter. The mare did not always seem happy in the mouth and sometimes threw herself away. In canter, there were also mistakes in the single changes. Wendy was able to make up for this with her expressive piaffe and a good strong walk with a clear footfall, sufficient scope and maximum extension to the hand.

Second place went to Carl Hester and his Bordeaux son Fame with 77.319 percent. The now 16-year-old KWPN gelding has lost none of his positive go and showed a clear round, but one would have liked him to be less high and tight in the side view.

Hester’s compatriot and pupil Fiona Bigwood was delighted with third place in the saddle on the ten-year-old home-bred Donna Bella by Don Juan de Hus, a daughter of her former successful mare Atterupgaards Orthilia. Fontainebleau was the mare’s first appearance on the continent, her third CDI and 72.276 percent marked a new personal best for the pair.

Dr. Svenja Kämper-Meyer and Amanyara M came fourth with 71.326 percent. The single changes were also their undoing. A small mistake at the beginning of the diagonal and a slip on the center line cost them valuable points.

Verboomen dominates freestyle

In Frankfurt, Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus broke the 90 percent barrier for the first time. Today in Fontainebleau they went one better with 91.885 percent. At the beginning of the test, a cheeky fly seemed to disturb the master at work. In any case, Zonik Plus stomped energetically with his front hoof in the first piaffe, but did not allow himself to be significantly disturbed. This was also not the case during the rest of the trot tour, everything was directed by his rider with a maximum of subtle influence. If you wanted to find something to complain about, you could point out that the stallion tends to nod in the piaffe from time to time and that his hind hooves are not always free of tension. On the other hand, his pirouettes are second to none.

As in ‘s-Hertogenbosch this year, world champions Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale had to settle for second place. The top British duo, who also won bronze at the Olympic Games in Paris, scored 88.225 percent. The first piaffe went particularly well for the pair today and they regularly racked up the points in the canter. Overall, it was a penalty-free test for the pair. Still on the wish list: a finer contact.

Three and four to Germany

Third and fourth place went to the two German team riders, Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth and Benjamin Werndl on Quick Decision.

Bluetooth showed very nice trot reinforcement and good first piaffe, but did not always walk evenly in the passages and became clearly tight several times in the test. When picking up from the strong canter, he kicked after the leg. The first piaffe after the canter on the final line was again very nice. But all in all, today’s ride looked a bit like work, to which the restless tail also contributed. The judges gave the pair 81.085 percent.

Benjamin Werndl and Quick Decision FRH passed their baptism of fire on the big arena. As you would expect from Werndl, he presented the Quaterhall son in a very beautiful setting with light contact and discreet action. And also faultless. However, there was still a desire for more energy from the hind leg, especially in the exercises with the highest collection. 79.595 percent brought her close to the 80 percent mark for the first time.

You can find all the results from Fontainebleau here.