In the first of two individual decisions at the Dressage World Championships, the German starters went away empty-handed.
Isabell Werth from Rheinberg, who rode Quantaz in fourth place, ensured the best placement in the Grand Prix Special in Herning, Denmark. Fifth was Benjamin Werndl from Tuntenhausen with Famoso.
The new world champion is Charlotte Fry with Glamourdale. Silver went to the favorite Danish Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour with Vamos Amigos. The last dressage decision of the World Championships is the freestyle on August 10th.
As the defending champion, Isabell Werth rode into the converted FC Midtjylland football stadium as the last starter. But the record world champion, who retired her two best horses from the sport, had no chance of winning a medal despite a flawless ride with her stallion Quantaz.
Benjamin Werndl showed a strong performance with Famoso. "I took more risks today," said the 38-year-old from Tuntenhausen in Bavaria. "There's still more to do," he announced, looking ahead to the freestyle on Wednesday: "But I don't want to get greedy."
Ingrid Klimke only came in 19th with Franziskus. "I'm very disappointed," admitted the 54-year-old from Munster after the erroneous ride. "Maybe the strength was missing a bit," speculated the eventing specialist. In any case, the performance was "a bit poor". Klimke missed qualifying for the second individual decision in the freestyle on Wednesday.
Frederic Wandres was not at the start at all. Since his horse Duke of Britain is not fit, the World Championship debutant from Hagen near Osnabrück did not compete. "He was tense this morning, like people sometimes do," said the rider. "The well-being of the horse is paramount, so I gave up."
