Spectacular prize giving ceremony in the Friends Arena in Stockholm. Isabell Werth (GER), Cathrine Dufour (DEN) and Patrik Kittel (SWE). Photo credit: Roland Thunholm
Eight riders over 80 percent, six personal bests and a new champion. What a final the SAAB Top 10 Dressage in Stockholm turned out to be!
Cathrine Dufour (DEN), riding Atterupgaards Cassidy, could hardly believe what she saw when the results came up after her ride. 89.445 percent is not only a new personal best for Dufour, it is also the winning score in a SAAB Top 10 final, with 0.1 percent!
- I thought; is this really happening. The numbers were coming in and the results were flipping between me and Isabell in the top, says Dufour.
- This is of course huge for me and I’m so happy with my little chestnut pony. He’s 17 and people ask me if I will retire him, but he loves to compete and I think he really showed that today - nope, this is not the day.
Isabell Werth (GER) is runner up in the freestyle with 89.310. She is happy with her horse Weihegold OLD.
- I’m super happy with “Weihe” today. She didn’t make any mistakes, but this time it wasn’t my luck with the numbers. I think this is really good sport. When we are this close it gets really exciting.
Home rider Patrik Kittel (SWE), produced not only a personal best, but also a new Swedish record in Grand Prix Freestyle: 86,115% with Well Done de la Roche CMF.
- I’m so happy, not only for me, but for this whole competition and what we have built together with Saab. Six riders produced personal bests here today. And everybody who goes into the arena wants to win. This is top sport and how dressage should be; the public leaving the arena wanting to see more.