Charlotte Fry and 'Glammie' Crowned World Cup Champions

Charlotte Fry (GBR) and Glamourdale once again showcased their class, claiming their very first Les Trois Rois FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final victory with an impressive score of 88.195%. With nearly four percentage points of breathing room, the pair left no doubt about the outcome, taking unanimous first placings from all five judges. The podium order from the Grand Prix remained intact, with Isabell Werth (GER) and DSP Quantaz securing second place, and Isabel Freese (NOR) and Total Hope OLD completing the top three.

Following a convincing Grand Prix win the day before, Fry and the black stallion Glamourdale (owned by the athlete and Van Olst Horses) sealed the deal in Basel (SUI) in style. The reigning World Champion and Olympic Freestyle bronze medallist can now add the prestigious FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final title to her already glittering CV.

“This is very special. To win here today is absolutely amazing, and it felt like Glammie loved every second of it,” said Fry.

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She extended her winning streak with this victory, having already claimed the World Cup freestyles victories in London (GBR), Amsterdam (NED), and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) with Glamourdale.

Isabell Werth (GER), riding second-last with DSP Quantaz (owned by Madeleine Winter-Schülze and Victoria Max-Theurer), came closest to challenging Fry. Scoring 84.365%, the German legend secured her third consecutive podium finish at a World Cup Final, having also placed third in Omaha (USA) and Riyadh (KSA). “Mission accomplished,” Werth laughed, having already stated ahead of the Final that second place was her realistic goal.

Isabel Freese (NOR) and Total Hope Old. (FEI/Benjamin Clark)

A second striking black stallion completed the top three: Total Hope OLD (owned by Lone Boegh Hendriksen, Oivind Bache and Paul Schockemöhle), ridden by Isabel Freese (NOR), made history by delivering Norway’s first-ever World Cup Final podium finish. Scoring 81.850%, Freese was visibly overjoyed: “I’m over the moon, this went beyond all my expectations!”

Shuffles in the midfield

While the top four remained unchanged, the rankings saw notable shifts from fifth place downwards. The action unfolded early in the evening in the beautifully dressed and atmospheric St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Kevin Kohmann (USA) guided Duenensee to a very credible performance, showing improved piaffe and passage work compared to the Grand Prix. Their 75.535% earned a place in the top 10. Just ahead of him was Pauline Basquin (FRA), whose Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE impressed in the trot tour but had some errors in the canter, scoring 77.055%.

Midway through the competition, Larissa Pauluis (BEL) entered with Flambeau and delivered a strong performance in her second World Cup Final, though a mistake in the one-tempi changes brought their score to 77.470%.

Immediately after, Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (GER) entered the arena and lifted the spirits with her chestnut mare. With ears pricked and a charming, crowd-pleasing Freestyle, the pair danced their way to 78.990% and a sixth place in their very first World Cup Final.

The 80% barrier breached five times

Defending champion Patrik Kittel (SWE) debuted a brand-new Freestyle with the mare Forever Young HRH, naturally featuring Alphaville’s iconic track ‘Forever Young’ to close. With a particularly expressive trot tour, they were the first combination to break the 80% barrier, posting 80.115% and ultimately finishing fifth.

Sandra Sysojeva (POL) and Maxima Bella charmed the audience with a stunning piaffe and passage tour. A mistake in the one-tempi changes and pirouettes, however, cost them, and their score of 78.590% saw them slip slightly from fourth in the Grand Prix to seventh in the Freestyle.

Meanwhile, Corentin Pottier (FRA), who had tied for fourth in the Grand Prix with Sysojeva, maintained his form. As the final rider of the evening, he and Gotilas du Feuillard delivered a polished performance, with a hiccup in the extended canter being the only flaw. Their 80.415% made them one of five combinations to break the 80% threshold.

Werth’s expertise shines

Just before Pottier, Isabell Werth entered the arena with DSP Quantaz. The seasoned competitor put her vast experience to good use, piloting the bay gelding expertly through a clean, accurate test to secure her 16th World Cup Final podium.

“Quantaz really improved from yesterday, so I’m completely happy. He was more open today; we had a good piaffe and passage tour. At the end, the crowd joined in – it’s great to feel the audience so into the competition,” said the most decorated Dressage athlete of all time.

Freese makes history for Norway

Isabel Freese wrote history in Basel with her third-place finish – Norway’s first World Cup Final podium. She beamed with pride after her ride on Total Hope OLD.

“Today everything came together. He was light to ride, I really enjoyed it. He was 100% with me and gave me an amazing feeling. This is what we work for every day. I had hoped for a top-five finish, but this is just incredible.”

Fry and Glamourdale dominate in harmony

But it was Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale who reigned supreme. With a Freestyle brimming with power, yet also elegance and lightness, Fry guided the stallion with great finesse to the sounds of iconic British hits.

“Yesterday, Glammie was definitely a little intimidated by the hall, but today he knew his job. He loves to have all eyes on him, and when the crowd joined in, he seemed to love it even more. This is all a team effort – with everyone at home at Van Olst Horses and all our supporters. Everything came together tonight, this is such a special feeling,” she said, still smiling in disbelief at the imposing Les Trois Rois FEI Dressage World Cup™, which stood just in front of her.

Results here.