With three wins out of three starts, World number one Isabell Werth has rocketed to the top of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League standings. In Basel’s imposing and packed St. Jakobshalle – which will also host the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals in April – Werth secured victory in the Freestyle with DSP Quantaz, scoring 83.735.

No fewer than four Swiss combinations competed in Basel (SUI), delighting the home crowd with their Freestyle performances. Jessica Neuhauser and Rockson (owned by Hildegard Magdalena Riedmaier) were the top Swiss finishers, claiming a respectable 10th place with 74.785% in only their third international Grand Prix ever. Representing Switzerland’s neighbouring country Austria, Florian Bacher had a challenging Grand Prix with Fidertraum OLD (owned by Verena Bacher), but bounced back in the Freestyle, earning 75.515%. Their score held firm until after the break and ultimately secured them eighth place.

Personal Best for Carrascosa

After the break, Borja Carrascosa (ESP) set a new personal best of 78.575% with Sir Hubert NRW (owned by the athlete and Sportpferde Hofmann Gbr). The big chestnut, who also competed in last season’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh (KSA) delivered a powerful test set to vibrant Shakira music. Carina Scholz (GER) and her seasoned partner Tarantino (owned by Sportpferde Scholz) impressed with their piaffe and passage work, but tension in the changes kept them just below Carrascosa’s score.

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