© PSV.J.Morel
THE FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CUP : WILL ICONIC ISABELL WERTH RIDE TO VICTORY IN LYON FOR THE SIXTH TIME?
She is the most titled sportswoman in all disciplines, both at championships and at the Olympic Games. And this is an opportunity for spectators in Lyon: Germany’s Isabell Werth would not miss the FEI Dressage World Cup at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, under any circumstances. The "Queen" is the great favourite for a sixth victory in Lyon-Eurexpo’s ring, between Rhône and Saône, from 27 to 31 October. But for the other competitors it isn’t over yet!
She is a legend in equestrian sports, as friendly on the edge of the paddock or in the aisles of the show as she is meticulous once she is in the saddle. Her list of wins is quite simply unique in the history of the sport: Isabell Werth has won seven Olympic gold medals, thirteen World Championship gold medals and twenty-one gold medals at European Championships! The most recent ones are those won with the German team this summer at the Tokyo Olympics and at the European Championships in Hagen. Who can top that? The German rider has already won the Lyon leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup five times, in 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Will Isabell Werth ride to a sixth victory in Lyon accompanied by her loyal Weihegold OLD, with whom she forms the fourth best combination in the world? All will be revealed on Friday 29 October, at the end of the afternoon, after the FEI Dressage World CupTM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by FFE - Generali.
Sixteen other combinations in the running
Competition could well come from within for the German rider, with the presence in particular of Frederic Wandres and Duke of Britain FRH who were third at the Lyon event in 2019. They are currently ranked 21st in the world, just ahead of Austria's Victoria Max-Theurer and Abegglen FH NRH who won the CDI 4* in Achleiten this summer As for Denmark, the formidable Cathrine Dufour, third individually this summer in Tokyo and second in Hagen, will ride Vamos Amigos, a nine-year-old gelding, who will make his FEI World Cup debut. The most serious competitor for the German rider will undoubtedly be Spain’s Juan Matute Guimon, riding Quantico in Lyon, whom the public of the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International will be keen to see again after the serious health problems that the young man suffered last year. He will be accompanied by his fellow country woman Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, former winner of the FEI World Cup leg in Lyon, who will be riding her Olympic mount Elegance.
As for the French riders, all hopes are pinned on the best French combination in the World rankings, Morgan Barbançon- Mestre on Sir Donnehall II OLD. France will also be able to count on Marie-Emilie Bretenoux with Quartz of Jazz, and Anne-Sophie Serre, riding Actuelle de Massa.
In order to showcase dressage for as many people as possible, since 2015, the organisers of the Longines Equita, Lyon Concours Hippique International have decided to open the FEI World CupTM leg in Lyon to all the visitors.
On Thursday 28 October in the morning and on Friday 29 November in the afternoon, spectators who have “exhibition” tickets will discover the best dressage riders in the world, during performances worthy of the greatest specialists. On Thursday, the doors of the exhibition will open at 7.30am to let spectators be comfortably seated in the stands at 8am.
THE DRESSAGE WORLD CUP MEETINGS
Thursday 28 October – 8.30 a.m
FEI Dressage World CupTM Short Grand Prix presented by CREARA
Friday 29 October – 4.00 p.m
FEI Dressage World CupTM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by FFE - Generali