Isabell Werth Interview

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Isabell Werth is writing her final diary for horsesinthesouth.com following her performance at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Here is Isabell’s final entry…

Since the WEG…

I’ve been very pleased with how everything has gone since the WEG, notably my wins in Odense (with Satchmo), in Lyon (with Hannes) and in Stuttgart (with El Santo). Each competition went very well and my horses are in great form. When we were in Stuttgart, I rode El Santo in the Freestyle to music by Roberto Blanco – the one from Aachen. It’s fun, and it’s different to other music and that made it exciting! Then for the last qualifier in Frankfurt I’m actually not sure which horse I will take – Satchmo or Hannes.

Hannes was in good shape when he got back to Germany from the WEG, and I was surprised he had no problems and how fit he was. Quite soon after he arrived home he was back to his normal fitness. He wasn’t necessarily as supple as he should have been but in general I was really happy.

However, I could tell that Hannes was getting bored and that he was desperate to compete, which is why I took him to Lyon. He can be really awkward sometimes – he’s biting, he’s kicking, he’s running around – he ignores me, and he just does his own thing doesn’t really listen to me! Then it’s as if he is shaking his head and he’s running away – so it’s quite funny when he starts to become bored. He’s a real character in the respect that he can be really strong, and it’s something that’s completely out of my control.

Thoughts on the WEG…

I was really impressed with the showground in Lexington and it was amazing to see all of the different disciplines, horses and riders together in the Horse Park. But, I think because of the size of the event and the venue, it was difficult for the organisers to get everything under control and please everyone involved. But that’s a question of experience, I think. They also had a hard time as everyone compared Kentucky to Aachen four years ago. Aachen was just outstanding so it was a tough act for them to follow. There were lot of positives to take from the event and overall I was happy with my experience there.

Performance-wise, we were happy to get the team bronze medal, although we were hoping to get the silver, but Laura (Bechtolsheimer) was so strong and we were happy with the overall result. Next was the Special and for me there was no real chance for an individual medal but I said ok, I will give everything I have. I was faultless for the whole week and then I made a few mistakes but that’s the game – at the end it doesn’t matter if you are fifth or tenth.

To be honest, the scoring was a bit strange. I don’t think that’s a secret and I don’t think it’s impolite to say that differences of 8-10 % between the judges are not acceptable. No one was happy about it. But ok, it happens. The problem that we, the riders, have with these inconsistencies is when the judge or the judgement makes a difference to the medal standings, and this isn’t fair at all – something has to be done.

I really didn’t expect to get the bronze medal but when I saw the mistakes of the other riders, I said ok, it’s not the time to be angry or worry about it. The most frustrating thing is that I can’t see a solution to this (the judges scoring). I was really pleased for Edward (Gal), which was the most important emotion in the end – joy for fellow riders.

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Edward Gal…

Laura was super in the Grand Prix with one of the best tests I have ever seen. I thought she was going to win and I don’t think I was the only one thinking that. It shows that it’s not always one horse that is going to win, and this ultimately makes the sport exciting.

I don’t think she was as good in the Special as in the Grand Prix. I didn’t see him (Mistral Hojris) in the Freestyle, but the horse is super. He and Laura grew up together, they are very close now – a great partnership. In the past, they had a lot of good competitions but they were never as close as they are now – I think with the experience and confidence they have gained from the WEG, they will be the top favourites for the World Cup and then we’ll see what happens further into the future.

As for Edward, I was very disappointed by the sale of Totilas and I felt very sad for him to lose an incredible partner. No rider wants to lose his horse, especially such an iconic horse such as Totilas. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had to sell Satchmo – it’s not even worth thinking about.

Other news…

The transition from outdoor to indoor competitions has been quite easy. Odense was a very big showground with a lot of space, so it’s easy for the horses to start there. Satchmo went quite well but he was a bit tense in the Grand Prix. However, in the Freestyle he was relaxed and put in a very encouraging performance. Don Johnson was easy – I worked him in the morning and he was a bit spooky, but then I competed him in the St. George and he was very good there.

We have also just bought a six-year-old – Laurenti (Oldenburger) – who I think is a super horse, just brilliant – very huge, very powerful and with a lot of energy and presence. With my horses in good form and an exciting season ahead of me, I am thoroughly focussed and full of confidence.

Isabell Werth, multiple Olympic Games gold medal winning dressage rider, is a Rolex equestrian sports Testimonee.

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