BASEL, Switzerland--Charlotte Fry of Great Britain on Glamourdale won the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday, April 5 after winning the Grand Prix on

Friday to win her first Dressage World Cup.

Charlotte Fry on Glamourdale (Photo by Kim MacMillan)Kevin Kohmann on Duenensee was the highest placed U.S. rider in the Freestyle, placing 10th overall with a 75.535%

Fry scored 88.195%, nearly four percentage points the best with unanimous first placings from all five judges.

The podium order from the Grand Prix remained the same, with Isabell Werth of Germany on DSP Quantaz placing second, and Isabel Freese of Norway on Total Hope OLD third.

Following a convincing Grand Prix win the day before, Fry and the black stallion Glamourdale sealed the deal in style.

The reigning World Champion and Olympic Freestyle bronze medalist can now add the Dressage World Cup Final title to her resume.

“This is very special," said Fry. "To win here today is absolutely amazing, and it felt like Glammie loved every second of it.”

“Yesterday, Glammie was definitely a little intimidated by the hall, but today he knew his job," she said. "He loves to have all eyes on him, and when the crowd joined in, he seemed to love it even more. This is all a team effort, with everyone at home at Van Olst Horses and all our supporters. Everything came together tonight, this is such a special feeling.”

 

WERTH scored 84.365% to get her third consecutive podium finish at a World Cup Final, having also placed third in Omaha and Riyadh.

Kevin Kohmann on Duenensee (Photo by Kim MacMillan)“Mission accomplished,” Werth said, having stated ahead of the Final that second place was her goal.

“Quantaz really improved from yesterday, so I’m completely happy," said Werth. "He was more open today; we had a good piaffe and passage tour. At the end, the crowd joined in. It’s great to feel the audience so into the competition.”

A second striking black stallion completed the top three: Total Hope OLD, ridden by Freese, made history by delivering Norway’s first-ever World Cup Final podium finish.

Scoring 81.850%, Freese was overjoyed: “I’m over the moon, this went beyond all my expectations!”

“Today everything came together," said Freese. "He was light to ride, I really enjoyed it. He was 100% with me and gave me an amazing feeling. This is what we work for every day. I had hoped for a top-five finish, but this is just incredible.”

Corentin Pottier of France on Gotilas du Feuillard, who had tied for fourth in the Grand Prix, had  a polished performance, with a hiccup in the extended canter being the only flaw, to finish fourth.

His 80.415% made him one of five combinations to break the 80% threshold.

While the top four remained unchanged, the rankings had notable shifts from fifth place down.

Defending champion Patrik Kittel of Sweden on Forever Young HRH, with a new Freestyle. was the first to break the 80% barrier, posting 80.115% and ultimately finishing fifth.

Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock of Germany on her chestnut mare Florine OLD scored 78.990% and a sixth place in her very first World Cup Final.

Sandra Sysojeva of Poland on Maxima Bella had a mistake in the one-tempi changes and pirouettes that cost her, and her score of 78.590% dropped her from fourth in the Grand Prix to seventh in the Freestyle.

Larissa Pauluis of Belgium on Flambeau had a mistake in the one-tempi changes that dropped her score to 77.470%, placing her eighth, and Pauline Basquin of France, on Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, scoring 77.055%, was ninth.

Kohmann on Duenensee had a very credible performance, showing improved piaffe and passage work compared to the Grand Prix.

His score of 75.535% earned a place in the top 10.

“It was amazing walking into the arena." said Kohmmann. "I had so many people here to support me, it meant a lot. Our relationship together has grown so much over the past few years. I’ve never had a horse that I thought could ever take me to the places Denzel has and it’s really an honor to be able to experience moments like this with my best friend in the ring. He’s given me everything, and while tonight may not have been our most perfect performance, I could still feel him enjoying every movement and feeding off the energy of the crowd.”

Kohmann energized the crowd with his fun-loving and high-paced choreography and music selection.

With a mix of Avicii, Kygo, and other famous DJs, the house music livened the arena, and both Kohmann and Duenensee clearly were enjoying every moment in the arena.

Genay Vaughn on Gino ended her first World Cup with a strong finish, scoring 73.765%, while Adrienne Lyle on Helix worked through some nerves and tension throughout their test, which resulted in a score much below their average mark.

Vaughn rode to a freestyle inspired by her African American roots and music that pays homage to her family and heritage.

Lyle worked hard to manage Helix, in the electric atmosphere of the arena, finishing in 16th place overall with a score of 71.225%.