Isabell Werth and Viva Gold outpace the rest of the field in the Herning Grand Prix
Isabell Werth and Viva Gold win CDI3* Grand Prix Herning
from Jan Tönjes 
Viva Gold also scores points in the gallop - here is an archive image from the final of the Louisdor Prize 2025 in Frankfurt's Festhalle. Photo: sportfotos-lafrentz.de Start-to-finish victory for Isabell Werth and Viva Gold in the 3* Grand Prix at the Danish stallion licensing in Herning: With 77.5 percent, the 56-year-old clearly set herself apart from the field. Viva Gold, grandson of Olympic silver medallist Weihegold and the most expensive auction foal at the Oldenburg Verband 2016 on the day his granddam became German champion for the first time in Balve, has gained in strength. This can be seen, among other things, in the passages, which he showed with more impulsion and evenly in the hind leg.
The first piaffe was successful with a swinging back in good balance and smooth transitions. In the second piaffe, the Vivaldi son’s ambition got the better of him. In the smallest space, the dark chestnut made his own life a little more difficult than necessary. He worked ambitiously with a low croup. As a result, the front leg, which should actually be at a 90-degree angle to the ground, was clearly set back. The committed stallion compensated for this with a high front leg. However, he then folded forward in the neck and showed more than the required number of kicks. Werth pushed his hand forward and patted the stallion once he had found his way towards the passage. The chestnut was not clear in front of the aids during the backwards, the lowest scoring lesson of the ride, and “dipped” in the neck at the end.
Like his great-grandfather Donnerhall
In the passage, Viva Gold’s silhouette and the way he swings his front leg up high is reminiscent of the stallion to whom he owes his golden coat: his great-grandfather Donnerhall. Only in the 21st century version, the 2020s.
The ten-year-old Oldenburg received high marks for his very centered canter pirouettes, the second of which was even more fluid than the first. In the 15 flying canter changes from jump to jump, one would have wished for a little more volume. Both in the canter angle and in the canter jump. However, the stallion jumped the series changes safely and straight with a calmly swinging tail. Werth had initiated the changes very early, which then affected the division.
Susanne Baarup from Denmark was the judge for B and awarded 80.761 percent. The judge’s assessment of H was more realistic. Ulrike Nivelle awarded 74.783 percent. 77.5 percent in a “normal” Grand Prix is the pair’s personal best result.
The judges awarded a 9.0 21 times – eleven times it was Susanne Baarup. She was also the one who awarded a 10 for the final passage. The other judges were also enthusiastic about this lesson (twice 8.0, once 8.5 and once 9.0), but did not yet want to recognize the optimum.
Lord Europe Second
Second place not only went to Germany, but also to a rider with close ties to the competition’s sponsor, Helgstrand Dressage. Leonie Richter and Lord Europe scored 70.109 percent. Like Viva Gold, the stallion was in the final of the Louisdor Prize in 2025. The pair finished in tenth place in the final. In Münster, the pair left the competition behind them in the Intermediaire II and Short Grand Prix. This secured them the title of “Derby star of tomorrow“.
Herning was the first international “long” Grand Prix for the pair. The test was without any major mistakes. There were still a few areas where fine-tuning was needed. The canter pirouettes were among the highlights.
Leonie Richter rode for Helgstrand Dressage Germany for a long time and went into business for herself at the turn of the year. However, she is still allowed to ride the Rhineland Lord Leatherdale son.
Third place went to Annabella Pidgley (GBR) and Gio, who was ridden by Charlotte Dujardin. With a score of 69.978 percent, the pair just missed the 70 percent mark. The pair were doomed by the double changes.
