Aachen, 05. July 2008

Isabell Werth wins the UNIROYAL Prize for the fourth time
Adelinde Cornelissen in second place ahead of Capellmann

"Super", was Isabell Werth's comment after the UNIROYAL Prize, the Grand Prix Spéciale CDIO, and it wasn't necessary to say any more. It was her fourth victory at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2008, her second with Satchmo. She was the clear leader in the dressage competition finishing on a score of 78.64 percent. The commentator introduced her as the rider, who has been decorated with 25 medals, 20 of which are gold. Once again second place went to the Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen, who gave a strong performance with the Jazz son Parzival and was rewarded with a score 75.2 percent. The rider who has a degree in English, trains with Anky van Grunsven's husband, Sjef Janssen. The German rider Nadine Capellmann finished third, receiving a score of 72.24 percent for her ride with Elvis VA. "I found the canter tour better than in the Grand Prix, unfortunately some of the half-passes weren't very good and we also had our differences at the beginning of the first piaffe. But overall I was satisfied with our ride. Yet, I can't quite understand, why one of the judges only gave me 69 percent," the rider from Würselen complained.

Fourth and fifth place went to the Swiss rider Silvia Iklé on the 14-year-old gelding Salieri CH and Kyra Kyrklund (Finland) with the 13-year-old gelding Max, respectively. Followed by Heike Kemmer with Bonaparte. "I had to buckle the girth half a hole tighter than usual while warming up, because Bonny has lost some weight. And I think it was too tight, which bothered him a bit. However, he still performed very well, unfortunately I pushed him on too much in the flying-changes á tempi, and my leg aid was too strong in the upward transition to canter," was how she described her mistakes. "Annoying technicalities, which cost us valuable points." Matthias Alexander Rath was considerably happier with his performance compared to the Grand Prix. "Sterntaler was in much better form, his canter tour was much better and the first piaffes were good. Things got a bit dicey in the last piaffe, but I decided to ride out of the piaffe prematurely before he turned round again. I think that was the better solution in this case," the economics student explained,. "It is great fun riding in this stadium the atmosphere is simply incredible."

Opening hours of the CHIO Aachen 2008 ticket sales:
Saturday, 05.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 06.07.2008 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ticket hotline: +49-(0)241-917-1111