Isabell Werth of Germany riding Wendy competes during the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Outside the limelight of international majors' dressage riding is hard work. Isabelle Werth has been through that since her early childhood.
"To train and develop dressage horse has ever been my desire, day for day," the daughter of a farmer says when asked about what she loves most in sports.
In the small town of Rheinberg, located near the Dutch border in Germany's far west, days begin early as the 55-year-old is meanwhile running a stable with up to 100 horses.
Considering her lifetime-desire it might not be a surprise that Werth won her eighth gold in the dressage team and single events at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Added with five silver medals, she turned into the most successful female German Olympian athlete.
Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the enchanting park of the Versailles castle, the mother of a 15-year-old son continued what had started at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona 32 years ago.
Nine World Championships aside from 21 European titles might tell the story of the former lawyer; not to speak of several silver and bronze medals.
From the cozy framing compound set up by her parents, Werth started a career turning her into the most successful riding athlete.
She undoubtedly has her share in making Germany win their 15th equestrian gold at Olympic Games, seven times Werth was one of the team's cornerstones.
Together with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Frederic Wandres, the Germans secured their lead in advance of Denmark and Britain. "We are overwhelmed. It was one of the closest competitions I can remember," the German icon said.
The tight race in Versailles is giving proof of how exciting dressage riding can be, Werth outlined. "To always try to get near perfection is what makes me invest every day," she added.
The athlete's performances on international stages in the limelight of international attention, especially at the Olympics, indicate, that lightness comes naturally. But behind the perfect performance stands obsessed detail work which is inevitable in hundreds of training sessions.
Rider and horse must merge into a well-oiled couple getting over their individual daily mood. "As in every job, you are not entirely happy every day. It takes persistence and a long breath to get to what you want," Werth said. Dressage riding seems a combination of art and craftsmanship.
Guide the horse and trigger its ambitions to perform seems the key to success. Werth always seems to find a way to develop joy for her horses including pleasing them with what they like most.
Riding in her perspective is a lifetime issue "as I can't imagine not being on a horse on the day," she said, adding: "I miss riding every hour I am not on a horse." ■
Isabell Werth of Germany riding Wendy competes during the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
Isabell Werth of Germany riding Wendy reacts during the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
Gold medalists Team Germany attend the victory ceremony for the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
Gold medalists Team Germany greet the spectators after the victory ceremony for the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
Gold medalists Team Germany attend the victory ceremony for the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
Medalists attend the victory ceremony for the dressage team grand prix special of equestrian at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
