Frederic Wandres clinches the Freestyle GP in the Lyon World Cup

The second leg of the Western European League of Dressage at Equita Lyon has wrapped up

German rider Frederic Wandres, aboard Bluetooth OLD, seized victory in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle presented by FFE GENERALI in Lyon. This marked the German rider’s final competition before heading to Florida for the winter circuit in Wellington.

Frederic and the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, ranked seventh globally, scored 83.415% in Saturday’s performance, securing a double win for the pair in this leg, as they had already claimed the top spot in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix presented by CRE-ARA on Thursday. This victory marked the ninth for the duo, six of which were achieved this year. The pair also contributed to the German team’s silver medal at the European Championships two months ago.

Danish rider Nanna Skodberg Merrald, riding the 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion Blue Hors St. Schufro, earned second place in the Freestyle with a score of 82.995%.

French rider Pauline Basquin, aboard Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, achieved a personal best score of 80.815%, securing third place. Pauline and the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding, owned by the French Institute of Horse and Riding Studies, had notable placements in major events this year.

Eleventh place went to young Austrian dressage rider Diana Porsche, scoring 75.590% riding Douglas. Read HSJ’s interview with Diana, click here to read her story.

The next stop for the Western European League qualification for the World Cup Final is in Stuttgart, Germany. The final is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next April.

FEI Dressage World Cup 2023/24 – Lyon (FRA) Grand Prix Freestyle standings:

1. Frederic Wandres (GER)
   Bluetooth OLD
   83.415% 84.150 83.900 85.175 82.350 81.500
2. Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN)
   Blue Hors St. Schufro
   82.995% 85.150 81.775 83.725 82.225 82.100
3. Pauline Basquin (FRA)
   Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE
   80.815% 81.800 79.100 81.400 80.525 81.250
4. Patrik Kittel (SWE)
   Forever Young HRH
   80.610% 80.175 82.675 77.850 83.225 79.125
5. Emmelie Scholtens (NED)
   Indian Rock
   79.830% 79.050 78.625 80.400 81.225 79.850
6. Morgan Barbançon (FRA)
   Habana Libre A
   78.320% 76.425 79.025 79.575 77.700 78.875
7. Thamar Zweistra (NED)
   Hexagon’s Ich Weiss
   78.080% 79.925 75.750 78.150 76.975 79.600
8. Larissa Pauluis (BEL)
   Flambeau
   76.535% 76.425 76.000 78.050 77.475 74.725
9. Nicolas Wagner-Ehlinger (LUX)
   Quater Back Junior FRH
   76.180% 76.125 77.800 76.975 73.775 76.225
10. Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (GER)
    Florine OLD
    75.625% 75.100 73.925 77.325 74.375 77.400
11. Diana Porsche (AUT)
    Douglas
    75.590% 74.200 75.675 77.375 74.375 76.325

Full standings here

Overall standings for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League

After the first leg in Herning, the provisional overall standings for the Western European League of Dressage continue to see Sweden’s Patrik Kittel in the lead with 53 points, followed by Morgan Barbançon in second place with 41 points, and Nanna Skodborg Merrald in third with a score of 34.

Provisional overall standings FEI Dressage World Cup™ Season 2023/24 Western European League here

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ circuit now moves to Stuttgart from November 15 to 19, 2023.

Photo: Frederic Wandres (GER) on Bluetooth Old 1st – FEI Dressage World Cup 2023/24 – Lyon (FRA) – Copyright ©FEI/Leanjo de Ko

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