The multiple Olympic, World and European Champion enthused about her 10-year old Westphalian mare: “It’s an unbelievable feeling riding her – I even get goose bumps.” Horse Show Director Gotthilf Riexinger concurred saying: “I’m so pleased for our spectators that they can watch the horse. It was Bella Rose’s best ever Grand Prix Special.”
Second-placed Kristina Sprehe (Germany) had less luck than Isabell Werth as her Hanoverian stallion Desperados was startled in the arena and subsequently temporarily lost concentration. She was therefore unable to do better than 76.608 per cent. The southern German rider Jenny Lang, who was atop her 14-year old Holstein gelding Loverboy, placed third with 74.216 per cent. “His piaffe is much improved and Jenny has highlighted her horse’s qualities exceptionally well. It was a great piece of horsemanship,” praised the head of the jury Dr. Dietrich Plewa. “The quality of the performances generally was excellent.”