Sport & Results
Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD Victorious in Lyon World Cup Debut
Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD claimed victory in the Lyon Freestyle with a score of 87.890 percent. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus secured second place, with an impressive three Belgian pairs finishing in the top four.
Equidara editorial team · 10 November 2026 · 1 min read
Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD clinched victory in the World Cup Freestyle in Lyon, France. This marked the horse's debut in the FEI World Cup Dressage series. The pair earned an impressive 87.890 percent, triumphing over Belgium's Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus. The FEI reported on this exciting win on October 30, 2026.
Victory for the Grandson of Weihegold OLD
The ten-year-old stallion, Viva Gold OLD, made his inaugural appearance in an FEI World Cup Dressage class in Lyon. Werth performed her freestyle to the iconic music of Neil Diamond. Towards the end of their performance, the audience enthusiastically clapped along and sang "Sweet Caroline".
For Werth, this victory echoed a past triumph. Exactly five years earlier, she had won the World Cup class in Lyon with Weihegold OLD. Notably, Viva Gold OLD is the grandson of that very mare.
Three Belgian Pairs in the Top Four
Verboomen and Zonik Plus had previously clinched the Grand Prix. In the Freestyle, they achieved a score of 85.810 percent, securing second place. Belgium's Larissa Pauluis followed in third with the 16-year-old Flambeau, earning 80.530 percent.
Her compatriot, Wim Verwimp, secured fourth place with Jedai de Massa, achieving a new personal best of 80.455 percent. Marieke van der Putten from the Netherlands and Kuvasz RS2 rounded out the top five with 78.990 percent.
Sources
- Werth wins in Lyon on Viva Gold OLD’s World Cup debut (FEI) (30.10.2026)
- Titelfoto: 13-04-19-Horses-and-Dreams-2013_(50_von_114).jpg : Dieses Foto ist von Olaf Kosi, Wikimedia Commons
- Lizenz des Fotos: CC BY-SA 3.0
Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 10 November 2026.
- Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD Win World Cup Freestyle in Lyon — Isabell Werth and Viva Gold OLD claimed victory in the Lyon World Cup Freestyle with an impressive 87.89 percent. The stallion is a grandson of Weihegold OLD, with whom Werth also previously won in Lyon.
- Dressage: New Grand Prix Test Introduces Trot Stretch — A trot stretch circle has been added to the FEI's international Grand Prix test. This movement assesses the horse's ability to transition smoothly between collection and relaxation.
- Julien Epaillard Claims World Cup Jumping Victory in Lyon by Three-Hundredths of a Second — Julien Epaillard and Le Coultre de Muze narrowly clinch the win in Lyon, just ahead of Richard Vogel and Cloudio. Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof secure third place.
- Laudrup-Dufour and Freestyle Claim Third Straight Victory in Herning — Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle clinched the World Cup Freestyle in Herning with a score of 90.000 percent. Marieke van der Putten secured second place with a personal best.
Related
- Buy horses — Horses for sale from all over the world, with transport search.
- Auctions — Ongoing auctions and individual lots.
- Selling a horse — Post a listing for free, with transport search for the buyer.