Europe’s best line up in Lyon

The hunt for elusive FEI Dressage World Cup points continued last week with the second leg of the Western European League series taking place at Equita Longines in Lyon, France. The bright lights of Lyon draw in the biggest names in dressage year on year with the alluring chance to score well and rise up the rankings on the World Cup qualification table.

Britain’s sole representative, Hayley Watson-Greaves, put up a strong fight with her experienced campaigner Rubins Nite on her second appearance at this show. In the Grand Prix, the duo scored 70.63% for ninth place before going on to improve on their day one performance in the Freestyle test earning an impressive 77.35% and fifth position.

Hayley and ‘Squeaks’ thrilled the judges with their brand new freestyle floorplan, which has a potential degree of difficult mark of 9.95 – 10. Packed with exciting combinations and high quality work, the effort paid off with a score that’s only 0.2% off their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle personal best.

World Champion Isabell Werth was the winner of both classes in Lyon on board the enigmatic Emilio, whilst Patrick Kittel took home two runner up accolades with Elena Knyaginicheva’s black stallion Delatio, a former ride of Emile Faurie now based with the Swedish rider to be sold.

The FEI World Cup circus now moves on to Stuttgart, Germany in two weeks’ time where the battle for points will continue.

Results

Grand Prix
1st Isabell Werth with Emilio, 75.32% (GER)
9th Hayley Watson-Greaves with Rubins Nite, 70.63% (GBR)

Grand Prix Kur to Music
1st Isabell Werth with Emilio, 84.41% (GER)
5th Hayley Watson-Greaves with Rubins Nite, 77.35% (GBR)