Werth Her Weight In Gold

Isabell Werth wows in the grand prix freestyle, while America’s ascending superstar Laura Graves gives the Germans a serious run for their money

- Hannah Lemieux

ISABELL WERTH and Weihegold OLD received a standing ovation after they championed the grand prix freestyle with a plus-89% test.

The German star was untouchable with the eye-catching daughter of Don Schufro, leaving the judge at C, Germany’s Evi Eisenhardt, declaring that if she was allowed to give 12s, she would have done so.

Isabell described her 89.67% freestyle performance as a “nearly perfect test” having posted a total of 13 tens, including for her piaffe and one-time changes.

“She was fantastic and there was nothing wrong with her test today,” said Isabell. “She’s in the right condition ahead of the European Championships.”

Fellow German, 22-year-old Sönke Rothenberger, pursued Isabell as best he could with Cosmo 59, scoring 85.75% to land the runner-up spot.

American Laura Graves crossed the Atlantic to stamp her mark on European soil. Upsetting the form book, she beat Isabell into second in Saturday’s grand prix special, reaffirming her prowess on the international stage (box, right).

In Sunday’s freestyle, Laura settled for third aboard her 15-year-old gelding Verdades; despite two mistakes the pair still posted 82.55%.