German Dressage Star Isabell Werth Wins Freestyle at AGDF 7

Werth and Special Blend 3 score over 82% in their freestyle debut at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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German dressage rider Isabell Werth and her horse Special Blend 3 won the Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2026 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Werth and Special Blend 3 scored 82.66% in their freestyle debut, showcasing technical difficulty and seamless execution. Canadian rider Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu finished second with a new personal best of 79.25% on Jaccardo, while Ecuadorian Julio Mendoza Loor took third place with 78.165% on Jewel's Goldstrike.

Why it matters

Werth's victory highlights her continued dominance in the sport of dressage, as the seven-time Olympian continues to push the boundaries of technical difficulty and artistry. The strong international representation in the top placings also demonstrates the growing global reach and competitiveness of dressage.

The details

Werth and Special Blend 3, who was recently sold to one of Werth's students, performed a challenging freestyle routine originally designed for Werth's Olympic gold medal-winning horse Emilio. The pair showcased a full piaffe pirouette right after the entry halt and 22 one-time changes on a curving line between canter pirouettes. Fraser-Beaulieu's Britney Spears-themed freestyle included 16 one-time changes down the centerline and piaffe between the two walk sections, while Mendoza Loor's test on his Olympic mount Jewel's Goldstrike was an emotional performance for the Ecuadorian rider.

  • The Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle took place on February 20, 2026 during the 7th week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida.
  • Werth and Special Blend 3 were making their CDI freestyle debut at the event.

The players

Isabell Werth

A German dressage rider and seven-time Olympian who is considered one of the greatest dressage riders of all time.

Special Blend 3

Werth's horse that she rode to victory in the Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle.

Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu

A Canadian dressage rider who finished second in the freestyle with a new personal best score on her horse Jaccardo.

Julio Mendoza Loor

An Ecuadorian dressage rider who became the first dressage rider to represent Ecuador at the Olympics in 2024 and finished third in the freestyle on his horse Jewel's Goldstrike.

Jaccardo

The 12-year-old Desperado x Jazz gelding ridden by Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu to a second-place finish.

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What they’re saying

“This freestyle is really, really difficult and I was not sure what Special would do because he's not experienced in these kinds of atmospheres, but he was very focused.”

— Isabell Werth (dressagetoday.com)

“I couldn't leave anything hanging because I had a lot on the line. This was Jac's first Friday night, and he'd never been into an atmosphere like this, so I was a bit nervous because there were so many people, but he came into the arena and was like, 'Let's go!'.”

— Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (dressagetoday.com)

“Riding 'Goldie' is a joy every time. I paid $20 for this horse, and he's taken me to the Olympics, taken me here—and every time he gives me 100%. He never lets me down, and that's why I cry all the time because this horse has made me who I am. There aren't enough words to explain how good he is and how much I love him.”

— Julio Mendoza Loor (dressagetoday.com)

What’s next

The top riders will continue their quest to qualify for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Texas in April.

The takeaway

Isabell Werth's dominant performance showcases her unparalleled talent and technical mastery in dressage, while the strong international representation in the top placings highlights the growing global reach and competitiveness of the sport.