Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein of Denmark and Digby won the Grand Prix Freestyle for the second year in a row. Mohamed Tinakicht photo
Saturday afternoon’s finale, the 100,000€ Grand Prix Freestyle, wrapped up an exciting two days of dressage at CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar. While Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein of Denmark was the odds-on favourite to take the class as she did last year aboard Digby, fellow countrywoman Lone Bang Larsen did not go down without a fight. The final result saw zu Sayn Wittgenstein top the standings with 80.875%, with Larsen hot on her heels with 79.200. Patrick Kittel (SWE) rounded out the top three, riding Toy Story to a score of 77.450.
Zu Sayn Wittgenstein said the win was an emotional one, as she and Digby have a long history together. “We bred him ourselves and I’ve know him since he was a foal. Since he’s four I’ve trained him, first with Claus Balkenhol, then Richard White. He just wants to do his best in the ring, and the more audience he has, the better he will perform. I thought he was even better today than yesterday.” She promised that “This year is the last year – full retirement next year” when the gelding will be 18.
Larsen was thrilled with her second-place finish, saying it was the best score she had ever achieved. “This is my first time here and I have had two really good shows. Yesterday I was very pleased, and today I am even more happy.”
This was Kittel’s second year here as well. “I had a very busy schedule, but when Doha came up I said okay – it’s a show you just have to go to. Very well-organized, horses travel really well, we arrive and are very well taken care of. Next year I will come back and maybe give the Danish girls a bit of a rematch!”