Werth tames Don Johnson to win World Cup
Isabell Werth seems to have finally cracked it with her “naughty” ride Don Johnson FRH, to win the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage at Salzburg in Austria.
Best test
The German rider was last to go and had to beat the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice’s leading score of 80.900% to win the class.
By Isabell’s own admission, Don Johnson isn’t the easiest horse to ride, but he produced one of his best tests to date to score 84.125%.
Strong personality
“He has a bit more experience with age so he has become more serious,” said the 46-year-old rider. “He has a very strong personality and he’s really special. He is always positive, and yes he has been a bit naughty but he can always make me laugh.
“It has been a case of trying to balance his big character with his body so that he could do his best work. He’s right there now, and he feels settled, so for me this feels just great!”
Her winning performance left Edward in second place, ahead of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB in third on 80.075%.
World Cup Final
Isabell is now in joint seventh place on the leader with 37 points and is hopeful she will make it to the FEI World Cup Dressage final in Gothenburg, Sweden at the end of the winter season.
She plans on giving the 14-year-old Don Johnson an eight-week holiday before she brings him back out for a couple of competitions ahead of the big event in March.
The next leg takes place at Olympia, London on Wednesday 16 December.