TRYON, United States, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Isabell Werth showed exactly why she is the most decorated rider in the history of equestrian sport when claiming the title of dressage Grand Prix Special event at the World Equestrian Games held in Tryon, United States on Friday.
Bringing the 14-year-old mare, Bella Rose, back to good health and fitness after an injury sustained four years ago has been a long, slow process. But her faith and dedication was repaid in full when she topped the Special podium for the third time in the 28-year history of the Games.
The 49-year-old Werth was under maximum pressure as she was the last rider into the arena, but the living legend punched out massive points of 86.246 to take the gold.
"I knew we had to give the best to get the gold today, but I felt so safe on her, and she had so much energy and was so patient. It's always great to go in when you know there's a chance because the horse is so good. Then it's just up to you to show it in the right way," Werth said.
Host rider Laura Graves, once leading the scoreboard before Werth's showpiece performance, took silver on 81.717 with her 16-year-old Verdades while the bronze went to Charlotte Dujardin of Britain on 81.489, with her nine-year-old Mount St John Freestyle.
Werth's teammate Sonke Rothenberger, who came so close to toppling his legendary compatriot when taking individual silver at last summer's European Championships, looked likely to put up a mighty challenge, but a couple of mistakes saw him settle for a score of 81.277 and a fourth place finish.
The World Equestrian Games, held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, is the biggest equestrian event featuring eight disciplines of jumping, dressage, eventing, the Paralympic discipline of Para-equestrian dressage, as well as driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.
The inaugural World Equestrian Games were hosted in Stockholm, Sweden in 1990. The 2018 Games offer qualifying slots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
