Dalera delights

Germany's outstanding duo retain their title, while a new combination finish second

- POLLY BRYAN

FOR the second year in a row, Germany’s Jessica von BredowWerndl reigned supreme at the World Cup Final, as she and her delightful mare TSF Dalera BB sealed back-to-back titles.

After a stint away from competition during 2022, as Jessica and her husband Max welcomed their second child, Ella Marie, the reigning Olympic and European champion left no one in any doubt about her brilliance. Here, she put an uncharacteristically imperfect grand prix – in which a superhot Dalera lacked a little of her usual rideability in the electric atmosphere – behind her to produce a dazzling freestyle.

It earned 90.48% from the seven judges – the ninth time this pair have exceeded 90% in international competition.

This is also the first major title Jessica and Dalera have won with their new music. Having retired their much-loved La La Land programme that earned them one bronze and two gold medals, they debuted their new freestyle in Lyon last October, and here the French-themed routine earned a whopping 99.6% artistic score from Janet Lee Foy, president of the ground jury.

It seems to have been designed with the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics in mind, being based around the iconic French singer Édith Piaf ’s music. The emotive strains of Non, Je ne Regrette Rien matched Dalera’s exquisitepassage perfectly, while La Vie en Rose accompanied the walk section and Padam Padam for the canter tour.

“I always loved Édith Piaf,” said Jessica. “This music gives me goosebumps, especially on the last centre line.