Thomas Bach Jensen
– It was like a dance for us in the arena today, Cathrine Dufour explained after the victory in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Blue Hors. Scoring ten in piaffe, passage, transitions and canter pirouette, she and her 10-year gelding Bohemian put the competition behind her with ease. Isabell Werth, the number one on the world ranking, came in second with Emilio by Ehrenpreis with a score of 77.978% just in front of her team colleague Jessica von Bredow-Werndl/Zaire-E by Son de Niro scoring 77.348%
On Sunday, the top 15 best riders meet in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle presented by ECCO. The World Cup qualifier at Vilhelmsborg in Demark is the first leg of the 2020/2021 series in the Western European League. Normally, the Danish World Cup qualifier should be held in Herning in the impressive Jyske Bank Boxen, but due to Covid-19 the qualifier was moved to the National Equestrian Centre of Vilhelmsborg.
Helen Langehanenberg (GER): – I have never been to Vilhelmsborg before, but I think it is a great solution now that the shows must be held with fewer spectators because of Covid-19. The facilities and footing give us the perfect conditions for a show of the kind that we can have now, without the audience. Knowing the atmosphere in Herning and Jyske Bank Boxen, I have a small tear in the corner of my eye, but we must get the best out of the situation. The most important thing is the continuing of the sport.
Patrik Kittel (SWE): – We are so grateful to be competing at Vilhelmsborg. I took my first medal in the Nordic Championships here with Heslegårds Rubin in 2005, and I have ridden here once before in the World Cup. I love being here, because like all Danish shows, it is very friendly. The fact we have a World Cup qualifier in Vilhelmsborg is so important. The organizers have worked so hard to make it work, after all, it is very significant. I hope others, like here at Vilhelmsborg can do something similar for the sport.
Cathrine Dufour (DEN): My first memory from Vilhelmsborg was in 2005, when I saw Kyra Kyrklund riding. I was 11-12 years old. It is amazing the organizers have made this happen. I think it will mean a lot for the coming World Cup season, and many top riders has chosen to ride here. It is a huge pat on the back to the organizers. The facilities at Vilhelmsborg are super, with good stabling for the horses, super and well-maintained footing – everything works for horse and rider.
Top five at the FEI World Cup Grand Prix, Vilhelmsborg:
1 DEN Cathrine Dufour/Bohemian 83.435%
2 GER Isabell Werth/Emilio 107 77.978%
3 GER Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl/Zaire-E 77.348%
4 SWE Patrik Kittel/Delaunay Old 75.696%
View results.
