Isabell Werth had already eternalised her name 14-times on her “favourite board”, which is located at the entrance to the Main Stadium at the Soers. The fact that her 15th victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle, the Lindt-Prize, is really special, is among others because of her new four-legged dance partner, Wendy.

“Normally the Deutsche Bank Stadium calls up the Main Stadium because we are too loud. But this time it was extremely loud in the dressage arena as well,” joked Birgit Rosenberg, Head of Sport at the CHIO Aachen with a sidewards glance at the top three riders from the Lindt-Prize, the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday morning at the CHIO Aachen. Isabell Werth with Wendy, Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth and Ingrid Klimke with Franziskus were among those who rocked the sold-out Deutsche Bank Stadium today. First and foremost, Werth and Wendy.

The judges awarded an incredible score of 89.095 percent for the black mare’s performance. At championships that would be the sort of score that would pick up an individual medal. Wendy didn’t put a hoof wrong in her new freestyle routine, for which the text of Barry Manilow’s “Oh Mandy” had been changed into “Oh Wendy”. The crowd applauded nearly all of the riders as they turned onto the final centre line. But in the case of Werth and Wendy the fans went totally crazy, yelled and whistled. No sign of the sacred silence that usually prevails in dressage arenas, instead pure enthusiasm. Wendy stayed totally cool. As Isabell Werth reported: “She didn’t have a wet hair on her body when she went in, nor when she came out.” Regardless of the thunderous applause of the crowd, she kept in rhythm in piaffe and passage and then walked calmly to the exit, while Werth waved to the spectators, thanking them for the standing ovation. Definitely a special moment, even for the dressage rider, who has won everything there is to win.

“That was unbelievable for me too. Today was our day. We grow closer together day by day. Wendy was really totally cool, although it was so loud. She simply said: “Tell me what to do”, and then she did it. I have been here so many times, but today was the best day ever. It is a pleasure to be here.”

Second place went to Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth on a score of 83.010 percent. Yesterday, Isabell Werth, shook him out of his mental low with a strict “Pull yourself together!”, today everything went easier, according to Wandres. He was satisfied with his freestyle: “We had no technical mistakes, the walk line was fine, but I felt bit of tension. The technical mark was good, there is some room for improvement with the B mark. I was slightly behind the music here and there.” As far as Bluetooth is concerned, he was very happy: “We have been here a week and now today on Sunday he felt just as fresh and smooth as on Monday.”

Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus came third on 81.385 percent. There is an extended trot right at the start of her freestyle choreography, the great strength of “Franz”. Unfortunately, he broke into canter. “I risked a little too much and pushed him too much. I played it safe after that,” is how Klimke analysed the situation. Nevertheless, she was delighted to have been there today. “It is the first time that I have ridden the freestyle on the Sunday morning. The atmosphere is incredible! You could even hear the crowd during the warm-up. When you ride under the bridge into the stadium, it is a very special moment, and when you ride onto the final line to salute: “Aachen is simply unique. The crowd is so knowledgeable. They know what they see and want they want.”

Birgit Rosenberg could only agree: “We are just the ones, who prepare the stage. The rest is up to the horses and riders. Thank you for the beautiful dressage we have seen all week!”