An exceptional field gathered for the eighth FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Amsterdam, where the audience offered their first standing ovation even before the first break. Reigning World Champions Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale claimed victory with an impressive 89.840%, but the competition was fierce.
This marked Fry’s second consecutive win in Amsterdam, following last year’s triumph with Glamourdale’s stablemate, Everdale. It was also her second victory in a row with Glamourdale, who had already secured the FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in London (GBR) last December.
Her compatriot Becky Moody came close with her homebred Jagerbomb (owned by the athlete and Jo Cooper), earning 86.500% to finish second. Meanwhile, Isabell Werth (GER) climbed a spot from the Grand Prix to claim third (85.265%) with DSP Quantaz (owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Victoria Max-Theurer), pushing Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) into fourth place (83.070 %).
With her second victory this season, Fry has moved up to 12th in the overall FEI Dressage World Cup™ standings, though she remains undecided about pursuing the final. “We’re taking it step by step. Our main focus this year is the European Championships, and we’re building toward that,” she said.
A strong field of competitors
Even before the break, the audience was on their feet, cheering for the first combinations. With no fewer than nine duos scoring above 80%, the competition in Amsterdam offered plenty to enjoy. Patrik Kittel (SWE) set the tone, earning the first standing ovation with Forever Young HRH (owned by the athlete and Gestüt Peterhof). Dancing to Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely, the mare scored 82.560%, securing sixth place and the Harmony & Fairness Award audience prize.
“When the crowd gives you a standing ovation and your horse performs so well, you feel like a little kid — even after all these years in the sport,” laughed the Swedish athlete.
Host nation the Netherlands also sent a strong contingent to their capital. Two of their combinations scored over 80%. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Taminiau (owned by Glock Hpc Nl) delivered a freestyle featuring lovely contact and a strong piaffe-passage tour, earning 81.885% for seventh place. World No. 4 Dinja van Liere and the bold chestnut gelding Hartsuijker (owned by Jan Pieter Dalsem) scored 82.645%, finishing fifth. A small mistake in the one-tempis and some tension in the contact kept the pair out of the top three.
“I enjoyed every minute. Hartsuijker is a true pocket rocket. I love him to pieces”
Dinja Van Liere
(NED)
Making their FEI Dressage World Cup™ debut, Ingrid Klimke (GER) and the imposing Vayron NRW (owned by Rudolf Spiekermann) also scored over 80%, finishing ninth with 80.580%. During a hiccup in the extended trot and an error in the one-tempis, the crowd showed their sympathy with a collective sigh of disappointment. Maria von Essen (SWE) and piaffe talent Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst Ab) scored just a fraction more with 80.660%.
Nanna Merrald and Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (owned by Blue Hors Aps) dropped a place in the Freestyle compared to the Grand Prix. Last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ runner-up in Riyadh (KSA) delivered a faultless freestyle but scored 83.070%, narrowly missing the podium in Amsterdam.
Showman Jagerbomb
Becky Moody and her home-bred Jagerbomb were second in both the Grand Prix and the freestyle. Their Beatles-themed freestyle got the crowd and judges smiling and swaying to the music. Moody made her incredibly complex routine look effortless, with Jagerbomb maintaining beautifully soft in the contact.
The cheerful athlete is confident about the future: “He’s only 11, there is so much more to come! Today, Bomb and I were completely in sync. The crowd was behind us all the way, and Jagerbomb was thinking, Clap harder, guys! He’s such a showman.”
Werth secures third place
In Amsterdam, Isabell Werth’s winning streak this season came to an end. Riding DSP Quantaz, she finished third but was pleased nonetheless.
“In this electric atmosphere, Quantaz stayed very calm. Yesterday, many riders had some mistakes, but today’s freestyle was top-level sport, so I knew I had to stay focused. Apart from a slightly spooky moment at the end, I was very happy,” Werth said.
She remains at the top of the standings with 75 points. With Quantaz, she plans to aim for the Final in Basel (SUI) from 2 to 6 April 2025.
Fry and Glamourdale wow the crowd
There was one combination in Amsterdam that left no doubt about their supremacy: Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale (owned by the athlete and Van Olst Horses). Gasps of admiration echoed through the crowd during their Freestyle. Fry left nothing to chance, and with just shy of 90%, the victory was hers.
Breathtakingly black, expressive, uphill, and with a good mind, Glamourdale has it all. His 89.840% under Fry secured the win.
“Glamourdale was amazing today. We’ve been working hard at home on some exercises, and that paid off today. I’m thrilled the scores reflect that. He was already incredible, but he keeps getting better. Glammie thrives in arenas like this,”
Charlotte Fry
(GBR)
The next FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier takes place in Neumünster (GER) on 15-16 February, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…