It was their first Freestyle performance together and it turned out a winning debut. Isabell Werth and Emilio (Westf, Ehrenpreis) danced to victory in the VIAN WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Jiva Hill Stables in Geneva on Saturday evening.  The 10-year-old gelding made no mistakes and the test was awarded with 84.025%. Highlights in their Freestyle were the piaffe and passage. The enthusiastic crowd of 6000 spectators cheered the brilliant ride of the number 1 on the ranking list. Isabell said afterwards: “It was a great pleasure to be here in Geneva, the crowd is fantastic. We are not used to have such an atmosphere during the show. So this was a big challenge and I think I showed good sport to the public. Emilio was really calm and concentrated in the arena. I hope I can come back here next year.”

Second place went to Switzerland’s Marcela Krinke-Susmelj and her DWB gelding Smeyers Molberg (Michellino x Rambo). The combination scored 76.750% with a faultless and brilliant test. Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat finished close in third place with Sir Radjah (Westf, Sir Donnerhall x Radjah Z) with 75.725%. The test was very energetic with highlights in the changes.

“The premiere of WDM Geneva was an emotional moment for many of the Swiss dressage fans. The house was packed with people that witnessed the extraordinary performance of one of their own, Swiss rider, Antonella Joannou who finished in 4th place in the Kur. After 15 years, dressage returned to CHI Geneva and we feel very proud and grateful to be part of that,” Camil Smeulders of WDM said.

Full results

Photo: Prizegiving ceremony for the VIAN WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Jiva Hill Stables: Antonella Joannou, Isabelle Judet, President of the Jury, Sophie Mottu, Show President, Marcela Krinke-Susmelj, Isabell Werth, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, Ian Lundin of Jiva Hill and John van de Laar, WDM. (photo Joseph Carlutti)