horse riding
The German dressage team has continued the success story in team competition at the Olympic Games. Dorothee Schneider, Isabell Werth and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl won gold in the team on Tuesday (07/27/2021) with an advantage of more than 400 points.
It quickly became clear that the competition, as so often in the past, would have no chance. Dressage Queen Werth with Bella Rose, von Bredow-Werndl with Dalera and Schneider with Showtime impressed with almost flawless performances. With 8178 points they relegated the USA (7747) clearly to the silver place, while Great Britain won bronze (7723).
For the German dressage riders it was the 14th gold medal in the team at the Olympics. With only one exception, team gold has always gone to Germany since 1984. “That was a really, really big sport today,” enthused equestrian team boss Dennis Peiler. “All three were in excellent shape, simply absolute world class. You mustn’t forget the pressure that was on them. The expectations in dressage are enormous.”
Schneider ensures a successful start
Anything other than the Olympic victory would have been a disappointment. The Germans had to deliver and deliver. Schneider put the favorite on the gold course in the first round. The 52-year-old only managed a little wobble with her 15-year-old gelding in the piaffe passage and was rewarded with 2,639 points. “We are a great team!” Said Schneider and praised Showtime: “He wanted to leave, he wanted to get involved, he wanted to dance. It was fun today with this special, really special horse.”
Werth expands leadership
Werth, the most successful dressage rider in the world, extended the lead. On her dream mare Bella Rose, the 52-year-old conjured up an almost perfect Grand Prix Special with highlights in the Piaffe Passage Tour on the arena in the Equestrian Park. 2,740.5 points meant a big step towards gold. “I am totally happy with Bella, she did a fantastic job. It just felt great – and that is the most important thing,” said Werth, who was able to relax and watch as von Bredow-Werndl completed the masterpiece.
Von Bredlow-Werndl brings home gold
The best in qualification from Tuntenhausen in Bavaria was again without any faults or blame with her elegant Trakehner mare Dalera. The last starter in the field certainly steered her mare through the arena and celebrated her first medal at the Olympic Games.
Werth can catch up with Fischer
For Werth it was already the seventh Olympic victory. If she wins in the singles on Wednesday (July 28th, 2021 / from 10.30 a.m. in the Sportschau livestream), she draws level with canoeist Birgit Fischer in the ranking of the most successful German Olympic participants. The biggest competitor then comes with Bredow-Werndl from their own team. “We’ll try to ride the best we can,” said Werth. “Then we fight.” Schneider also militantly expressed her ambitions in the individual. “I will definitely step on the gas,” announced the rider from Framersheim. Showtime “is motivated and has strength. I’ll attack again”.