Top riders in 75 years CHIO: Isabell Werth

Isabell is 54 years old, born in the German town of Rheinberg, where she still resides and has her stables. Together with her partner Wolfgang Urban, she has a thirteen-year-old son, Frederik. While others may stop, she shows no signs of slowing down, consistently producing one Grand Prix top horse after another from her stables. She is a participant in almost every championship, and this year, not surprisingly, her goal is the Olympic Games in Paris.

We begin our conversation by asking how she is doing. Isabell responds, "Good! My top horse, DSP Quantanz, had a break since Riesenbeck, and I started him again for the first time at Jumping Amsterdam, also in the Netherlands. I was very pleased with how focused he was, and we could immediately ride a harmonious test."

First CHIO in 1988

Isabell had anticipated our next question; of course, we are eager to know when she made her first appearance in Rotterdam. Isabell responds, "Honestly, I thought about this when your request for this interview came in. I know it was with Weingard, and it must have been in 1988. Rotterdam is always particularly beautiful because it takes place in a forest by the water. At that time, dressage was still held in the small stadium in the woods. I also remember from back then that the pancake house was already there. It's still there now and has passed through several generations. The kind, older lady who was there back then is still there. I have a lot of feelings for Rotterdam. Your competition was one of my first major events. I believe I even rode one of my first Nations Cups there with Weingard. In 1988, I was there with Weingard and Tanzmusik, and in 1989 with Weingard and Fabienne. Riding through the forest from the stables to the competition area, those are such experiences that I will never forget. Rotterdam was special and still is. My son is also a fan of Rotterdam these days. Thanks to the pancake house I mentioned earlier. So, we are both fans; it's really fantastic there, delicious food in a small, 'an old witch's house'."

Forest, pancakes and lots of open space

"I've just mentioned what is typical for me at CHIO Rotterdam. The path through the forest and the pancake house. But also, the stables in the meadow by the water and the large main arena. The spaciousness, that's also Rotterdam. Lastly, the restaurant by the water, we always dine there too."

Isabell speaks enthusiastically, and we can see from her expression that she means it. We are proud. While we have heard this before, hearing it from the world's greatest dressage rider makes it extra special. We ask Isabelle about her fondest memory of our event. Isabell says, "I have several. Of course, the most recent one is my memory of the European Championships in 2019 where Bella Rose won everything; that was truly beautiful. But also, one of my first Nations Cups with Weingard in 1988, that's been a while ago."

Rotterdam this year when it fits in the schedule

"I don't know yet if I'll be participating in Rotterdam this year. It depends on the schedule, how the competitions go, and when I'll be starting which horse. Between April and July, the competitions are very close together. The first leg is the German Championships, which we use as an observation event for Paris in early June. After that, it's only two weeks until Rotterdam. If everything aligns, I'll come; I really enjoy riding in Rotterdam."

"When I'm in Rotterdam, I don't just stay at the showgrounds. We also like to explore the city. Grabbing a meal in the city center, and during the European Championships, for example, we did a very enjoyable boat tour with Spido."

As we mentioned, it's wonderful to hear from such a great figure. However, we know that Isabell is critical and strives for perfection. That's why we ask her if she sees any areas for improvement for CHIO Rotterdam. Isabell responds, "Your event has become very good. It was always good, but it has become much more professional. This includes expanding the warming-up arenas. It can happen to anyone that it rains day and night, as it has sometimes happened in Rotterdam, but there's nothing you can do about that. Honestly, I can't think of anything that could be better."

Isabell and Anky

We can't ignore it. In the early years, there was fierce competition between Isabell and our Dutch rider, Anky van Grunsven. Both were favorites at major competitions like Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Den Bosch. We ask her how things are now and how she looks back on that time. Isabell says, "The Dutch competitions are almost like home games for me. I live 40 kilometers from the Dutch border and am only two hours away from Rotterdam and Amsterdam. I only need an hour and a half to get to Den Bosch. I've also competed in The Hague and enjoy participating in competitions in the Netherlands because they are very well-organized and stylish, and I feel welcome here. In the beginning, there was indeed a rivalry between Anky and me because the Dutch wanted to beat the Germans. Sometimes it felt like a football match, and it wasn't pleasant because a lot of external emotions were involved. I'll never forget, for example, that at the World Equestrian Games in Rome in 1998, there was a grandstand where everything was orange. Dutch fans are very enthusiastic and present. There were less pleasant situations, but everything resolved itself in a sportsmanlike manner, and in the meantime, I have a very good relationship with Anky. She is no longer active as a dressage rider. I see her occasionally, for example, in Den Bosch, but not much elsewhere. I also hardly see Sjef anymore. That situation is over."

Freestyle Weihegold

In April 2022, the elegant mare Weihegold bid farewell during the FEI World Cup Final in Leipzig after an impressive career under Isabell. The previous summer, we had seen her in the Rotterdam arena with, coincidentally or not, the canter part of Isabell's freestyle music, which we recognize from the Corona period as a humorous song by the well-known Rotterdam comedian Richard Groenendijk. The music unconsciously added even more atmosphere to the already enchanting Saturday evening at CHIO. Isabell says, "I didn't know that. It's actually originally Italian music. In Germany, it was also covered by Roland Kaizer. But a nice coincidence."

Another 75 years CHIO Rotterdam

Everything comes to an end, including this pleasant conversation with the German dressage Queen. We ask Isabell to conclude the conversation herself. Isabell says, "I probably won't experience the next 75 years of CHIO Rotterdam. However, I do wish for the equestrian sport and all of us that there will be a 150th anniversary of CHIO. That would be fantastic. I believe the greatest challenge in the near future is that we need to make our sport understandable to the general public and keep it relevant for us. Our sport needs to become more understandable and acceptable for everyone."

Well said, Isabell. Thank you for your time and kind words. It was an honor to talk to you, and we hope to welcome you again in the Kralingse Bos in June.