Ferrer-Salat tops leaderboard in Stuttgart

Stuttgart in Germany has hosted FEI World Cup competitions for jumping, dressage and driving, with the world’s best battling it out for valuable points on the league table.

Break the 80 barrier

In the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage, Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado claimed their second successive victory.

Behind Beatriz, it was an all-German line up with Isabell Werth taking the runner-up spot and Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl in third, ahead of Fabienne Lutkemeier in fourth place.

Only the top three combinations scored over 80 percent. Jessica and Unee BB were the first to break the barrier, taking the lead with 80.150%. They were immediately overtaken by Isabell, who produced one of her best performances with the 13-year-old gelding Don Johnson FRH to score 82.975%.

‘Nervous and afraid’

However, Beatriz thought she could do a “little better” and went on to produce the winning score of 83.300%.

”I had a very good feeling, my horse was really listening to me,” said Beatriz, who also won the Grand Prix the day before. “Yesterday he wasn’t so easy, he was edgy, but the great thing about this horse is that he completely trusts me.

“Even in the prize-giving this evening he was nervous and afraid, but I asked him to trust me and then he was fine – that is how we are together.”

Taking risks

Christian Ahlmann enjoyed victory on home turf, winning the fifth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping series.

Riding his 13-year-old stallion Codex One Christian took “every risk” in the jump-off to beat Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow into second place. Germany’s Patrick Stuhlmeyer was third, while Ireland’s Cameron Hanley came fourth.

“I thought I could do it, but I had to try everything,” said Christian. “I was really focused on being fast enough.”

Top speed

The opening leg of the 15thseason of the FEI World Cup Driving series saw defending champion Boyd Exell once again in a class of his own. He produced two faultless clears for any easy win ahead of the Netherland’s IJsbrand Chardon and Gemany’s Rainer Duen.

Boyd, who was recently named the Reem Acra Best Athlete, used a new lead horse in his experienced team, but it clearly didn’t hold him back.

“This is the first time I used the 15-year-old bay Lipizzaner Whiskey at a World Cup competition,” the Australian explained. “I felt secure with my experienced back stepper Hugh, who allowed me to go at top speed!”

Watch the FEI World Cup series on Horse & Country TV at the following times.