Isabell Werth leads the fight for an Olympic ticket
Isabell Werth getting closer to Olympia: Dressage icon delivers in Special for the second time, leaving German competition behind. Frederic Wandres fights for his "dream", Ingrid Klimke hopes for improvement in the Kur.
The persistent rain in Aachen's Soers left Isabell Werth and her young Wendy completely cold on their Olympic mission. "The mare is completely uncomplicated," assured the best rider in the world. Seven-time Olympic champion Werth and her ten-year-old partner added another victory at the CHIO in Aachen, leaving the competition in the race for the Olympic Games even further behind - this time more clearly than in the Grand Prix.
The prospects for Werth and Wendy before the Kur final on Sunday are good. With all their experience from countless victories at the highest level, the two also passed the second, challenging qualification test and are gradually becoming a team. They are growing "day by day together," said the 14-time Aachen winner. Werth once again showed that she can rise to the occasion. A remarkable performance, especially since she has only been riding Wendy since the beginning of the year. Her departure from Quantaz as the top horse seems to be paying off.
Frederic Wandres, on the other hand, faces the Olympic three-eventing competition primarily mentally against Werth and Ingrid Klimke. The competition in Aachen was "more of a mental challenge," Wandres joked, causing laughter. But even he admitted that Werth had built him up. Her tip to the 37-year-old was simple: "Pull yourself together!"
Wandres skillfully focuses on his "dream" in the fight for his place in the Olympics by emphasizing his good performances at the German Championships in Balve. After all, he had earned a "cushion" as the runner-up there, but so far, he had only managed to reach number five in Aachen. "It's about something," he said, "it's good that I know I could add three more points if I focus on it."
Young secures Olympic ticket, Krajewski shows strength
Ingrid Klimke also wishes for improvement. With Franziskus, she finished fourth in the Special, the gap to Werth and Wandres was clearly over three percentage points. "Yesterday was much better," she said, "just today, when I thought we were really going to show what we're capable of." Only two places on the German team for the Olympics in Paris are still open, and the team for Paris is expected to be announced on Sunday. So far, only Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Dalera has secured her ticket. The double Olympic champion from Tokyo did not have to compete again in Aachen.
In eventing, Michael Jung will represent Germany at the Olympics and aim for his fourth gold. Surprisingly, Jung received a free pass for the Cross-Country test from national trainer Peter Thomsen and did not have to prove himself again.
Olympic champion Julia Krajewski won for the second time, raising her chances of making the trip to Paris. However, she did not receive a guarantee from Thomsen yet. Instead, Christoph Wahler with Carjatan is likely to be the second rider, as he gave up halfway through the Cross-Country course in agreement with the national trainer.
In dressage, the final decision falls on the test at Sunday (8.30 am). Then, Werth intends to fulfill the dream of her seventh Olympic participation in her Aachen "living room". What follows, she explained with a playful phrase: "Then comes the next pressure", said Werth with a laugh.
Equestrian sport is set to feature prominently in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and Isabell Werth is making a strong case for inclusion. Her performance in the Special at the CHIO in Aachen once again demonstrated her ability to rise to the occasion, leaving her competitors further behind in the race for the Olympics.
Ingrid Klimke, another prominent figure in German equestrian sport, is hoping for improvement before the final decision in dressage at the Olympics. She finished fourth in the Special in Aachen and is eager to show what she and her horse Franziskus are capable of, with only two spots on the German team still up for grabs.
