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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Isabell Werth of Team Germany riding Bella Rose 2 competes in the Dressage Team Grand Prix Special Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Equestrian Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Isabell Werth of Team Germany riding Bella Rose 2 competes in the Dressage Team Grand Prix Special Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Equestrian Park on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
After a stunning performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the world’s most talked about horse will retire. Isabell Werth has retired her horse, Bella Rose 2. The 17-year-old mare has danced her last dance in Tokyo, and led Werth to individual silver and team gold.
Gold medal-winning horse has an epic last dance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020
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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 28: Silver medalist Isabell Werth of Team Germany poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Equestrian Park on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Isabell Werth would’ve liked to have Bella Rose 2’s last medal to be an Olympic gold. While she has a team gold to her name, the individual gold eludes her. However, this is still a sparkling way to bid adieu to one of the greatest dressage horses of all time.
Bella Rose 2 has been beside the German equestrian legend for eight years. In those eight years, she’s led her to numerous Grand Prix victories all across the world. But in Tokyo, she displayed her dominance and clinched a gold and silver medal. Her performances drew a staggering 89.66%, remarkably close to the gold medal winning score.
Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl topped Werth’s performance with a 91.732%, an astounding score even for the world #2. As for Werth, the world #1, her spot has never looked more under threat, but for now she shall focus on finding a brand new horse. If it’s one who matches the caliber of Bella Rose 2, she could hold on to the #1 position for longer.
Werth and Bella Rose 2’s penultimate performance came to a medley of classical music. From Beethoven’s 9th to the Moonlight Sonata and Verdi?s Rigoletto. Needless to say, it seemed the perfect to close out the career of one of the best mares in the equestrian business. Her owners will solely use her for breeding purposes.
Werth praises Bella Rose 2 after her last dance
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PARIS, FRANCE – APRIL 14: Isabell Werth of Germany (riding Weihegold OLD) celebrates winning the FEI World Cup Dressage Final during the FEI World Cup Paris Finals 2018 at Accorhotels Arena on April 14, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
“Bella felt fantastic tonight. When you are able to show what you wanted to show, and there is nothing better to present, then I’m satisfied. She was close but not close enough.” These were Isabell Werth’s words after her silver medal-winning performance. This is a testament to just how much of a legend she is, to want a better performance even after clinching silver.
The individual gold medal has eluded Werth since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Although she’s held team gold, there’s perhaps none greater achievement for a dressage rider than an individual Olympic gold.
To claim gold in Paris 2024, Werth will require a ‘pocket rocket’, like her rival Charlotte Dujardin’s Gio. If not, there might be no individual gold for the world #1.
