As the most decorated equestrian athlete in Olympic history, there aren’t too many holes left in Isabell Werth’s resume and certainly few in her World Cup record.

In 25 World Cup Final appearances, she’s only twice finished outside the top 5 and never outside the top 10.

At age 55, she’s not showing any sign of slowing down either.

In three World Cup qualifier starts this season, the reigning World no. 1 has earned three victories and now sits atop the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League standings alongside Carina Scholz.

Her latest win was also her first at St. Jakobshalle, Basel and, perhaps, a predictor of what’s to come. The same venue will also host the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in April where Werth plans to campaign the same horse. You don’t get a record like hers without well-planned preparation.

Riding DSP Quantaz to a Bonnie Tyler score, Werth took the W in the Freestyle, scoring 83.735 for their fluid trot work, double pirouettes, and clean tempi changes.

The pair previously won the qualifier in Lyon. Werth also won in Stuttgart with Wendy de Fontaine. But it’s DSP Quantaz she’s tapped for the Final.

“He’s not the easiest indoor horse as he can get spooked by the advertising boards, but today he was fully focused. I even managed to smile during the test,” joked Werth.

Norway’s Isabell Freese (NOR) and Total Hope OLD scored 83.490% to finish second behind Werth. Frederic Wandres (GER) and Bluetooth OLD secured third place with 83.105%. It was the same podium in Friday’s CDI-W Grand Prix.

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ next heads to Amsterdam, January 24-25.

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