05 Jul Isabell Werth crowns successful Covalliero Dressage Days
(Hagen a.T.W.) The Covalliero Dressage Days at Hof Kasselmann concluded with another victory for Isabell Werth. In the CDIO4* Grand Prix Special for the Bucas Prize, the world’s most successful dressage rider delivered a harmonious and expressive performance aboard Wendy de Fontaine, earning a winning score of 82.426%. Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot finished second on 74.255%, while Finland’s Henri Ruoste and Tiffanys Diamond claimed third with 72.979%. A total of 13 combinations contested the class.
Werth was particularly pleased with the progress of the Sezuan daughter: “The more ease and naturalness we can bring into our performance, the more beautiful it becomes. I think we’re on a very good path.” She was especially impressed by her mare’s energy: “She still had plenty of speed today, but she managed that power really well. Today was really, really good.”
German team trainer Monica Theodorescu was equally positive in her assessment of the German squad’s performances throughout the weekend: “First of all, we had a fantastic Nations Cup. The competition may not have been the strongest we’ve ever seen, but we produced a very cohesive team performance. I’m extremely pleased about that. Our younger riders, in particular, performed exceptionally well. On Saturday we finished first and second in the Freestyle, and today we’ve done it again with first and second places – that makes me very happy.”
Treffinger and Morricone shine despite the rain
The CDI3* Grand Prix Special produced an all-German podium. Moritz Treffinger and the Millennium stallion Morricone were unfazed by the summer rain and produced a performance worthy of a new personal best score of 71.723%. Lena Haßmann and Chere Celine OLD finished second, while Lisa Müller and Gut Wettlkam’s Zonik Hit OLD completed the podium in third.
“The rain didn’t bother Morri at all – if anything, it made him grow even more,” Treffinger said afterwards. “It was only our second Special together, and I certainly wasn’t expecting it to go this well today. Of course, it still wasn’t as good as I know it can be. It feels like we’re probably at five out of ten at the moment. But that’s exactly what gives me so much motivation for the training ahead and for our future development together.”
The Netherlands and the USA dominate the Para Dressage Freestyles
The Freestyle competitions for Grades I to V brought the international CPEDI3*, presented by Bruns & Stamp Pferdezucht, to a fitting conclusion. Riders from the Netherlands and the United States dominated proceedings throughout the day.
In Grade V, Britney de Jong (NED) and Caramba N.O.P. claimed victory with 76.825%. Reigning German Champion Regine Mispelkamp and Pramwaldhof’s Bayala finished second ahead of Denmark’s Nicole Johnsen and Cavanillas-W.
Rixt van der Horst (NED) produced the highest score of the day. Riding Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P., she not only won Grade III with 85.689% but also set a new personal best. Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Blue Hors Zackorado finished second on 80.000%, while France’s Chiara Zenati and Zeus de Malleret IFCE completed the podium in third.
Annemarieke Nobel (NED) and Doo Schufro claimed victory in Grade I. Germany’s Mara Meyer had double cause for celebration, producing a personal best aboard HBS Daily Double to finish second ahead of Singapore’s Gemma Rose Jen Foo and Banestro.
Kate Shoemaker (USA) completed a clean sweep in Grade IV. After winning both Grand Prix tests, she also claimed the Freestyle aboard the Vitalis daughter Vianne. Their winning score of 83.400% marked another personal best for the combination. Alexia Pittier (FRA) and Sultan finished second, while Dutch rider Sanne Voets and Demantur RS2 N.O.P. took third.
Shoemaker’s American teammate Fiona Howard also remained unbeaten throughout the competition. However, the Paralympic champion chose not to ride her championship partner Diamond Dunes in the Grade II Freestyle, instead opting for her up-and-coming horse Ferguston. The pair secured victory with 81.156%. Denmark’s Katrine Bjelke Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater finished second, while Germany’s Gianna Regenbrecht and First Florentine XT took third as the highest-placed home combination.
Road to Aachen
Four days of top-class sport, more than 130 riders with over 150 horses from 29 nations, and international dressage and para dressage competition up to four-star level defined the 2026 Covalliero Dressage Days at Hof Kasselmann. Once again, the event demonstrated the values of inclusion, international sport and the unifying power of equestrianism. For many of the athletes, the road now leads on to the FEI World Championships in Aachen. The organisers wish all dressage and para dressage riders every success and the very best for the journey ahead.
Photo: Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine © Thomas Hellmann