Germany and the Netherlands make headlines at the VR Classics

Press release VR Classics – “I had goose bumps”, gasped one spectator excitedly, and she was not the only one: The visitors were already up on their feet by midday, giving dressage riders Isabell Werth and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl standing ovations, while later in the afternoon applause surged through the Holstenhalle once again, this time for Dutch riders Robert Vos and Tjark Nagel.

Tjark Nagel? Correct – the show jumper who became known as the “devil rider from Dithmarschen” in the north of Germany ended his tournament career a long time ago, but was honoured by his pupils with medals, certificates and a lap of honour for his coaching achievements…

Isabell Werth and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl “rock” the Holstenhalle
Exuberant enthusiasm was very much the order of the day this morning for the Grand Prix de Dressage, the Madeleine Winter-Schulze Prize, qualifier for the World Cup Freestyle on Sunday. Isabell Werth and Oldenburg mare Weihegold won the competition with 80.02 percent, and practically “bathed” in the applause their victory prompted. “That was really good”, confirmed the five-time Olympic champion from Rheinberg and not only that: “Weihegold is an unbelievably straight-forward and willing horse. That makes it really fun.” The eleven-year-old mare remained relaxed and confident during the presentation ceremony.

The audience also expressed their delight at Bavarian rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Aubenhausen) and her stallion Unee BB, who came second. The smart blonde and her Gribaldi offspring – both of whom captivated the Holstenhallen two years ago – took second place with 75.50 percent. “I’m really happy with that, but I also know where there’s room for improvement”, said Bredow-Werndl, who is delighted with her progress from World Cup stage to World Cup stage. Third place went to former World Cup champion, Dutch rider Adelinde Conelissen with Jerich Parzival. For the sensitive Dutch chestnut horse, who underwent heart surgery three years ago, there was dispensation in the lively presentation ceremony. “I’m really pleased with him”, confirmed Cornelissen, “we haven’t made any plans for this year, neither in terms of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup nor the Olympics…”

Championship victory for first-timer Robert Vos
It was a Dutchman who claimed victory at the VR Classics in Neumünster in the Neumünster Championship, the Schockemöhle Stallion Station Prize. “I’ve never been here before, but it’s a fantastic tournament”, enthused Robert Vos. In contrast to his compatriots Marc Houtzager and Gert-Jan Bruggink, the 42 year-old Nations Cup rider is a first-timer at the 2016 VR Classics. “I don’t always have horses as good as Carat. I bought him in Sweden and I’m careful with him. I want him to have all the time he needs to mature.” Vos` 31.69 second, fault-free round in the world ranking test which boasts 25,300 euros prize money, couldn’t even be beaten by Holger Wulschner from Groß Viegeln. Piloting BSC Cavity, the Mecklenburg rider nevertheless placed himself firmly into the list of favourites in Neumünster. The Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken Grand Prix on Sunday from 13.30 onwards will also have Vos and Wulschner amongst its entrants, with different horses…

Emotional tribute
Tjark Nagel (Friedrichskoog) had no idea about the tribute, but several others were in on the secret – Bettina and Paul Schockemöhle as VR Classics organisers, Janne Friederike Meyer (Hamburg), German Champion Denis Nielsen (Lastrup), World Championship competitor Sören Pedersen (Denmark), Jan Sprehe (Löningen) and German Champion Evi Bengtsson (Breitenburg) – riders who, over the course of the last ten years, have won World Championship, European Championship and German Championship gold medals with Nagel as Coach. And since a spirited lap of honour is essential on such occasions, Inga Czwalina promptly lent her mare Va Bene to Tjark Nagel for some highly celebrated laps of the Holstenhalle….

Source: Press release VR Classics