Enlarge image
Jesscia Bredow-Werndl at the Fei Dressage World Cup Final at the Leipzig Trade Fair – after that she went on maternity leave for six months
Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa
Dressage rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl celebrated a victory on her return to the World Cup.
The 36-year-old double Olympic champion from Tuntenhausen won the Grand Prix in Lyon, France, after the birth of her second child in August and a break of half a year.
In the saddle of her 15-year-old mare Dalera, von Bredow-Werndl prevailed on Thursday with a lead of almost five percentage points ahead of her brother Benjamin Werndl with Famoso and the Swede Patrik Kittel with a touchdown.
Isabell Werth on Emilio took fifth place.
Bredow-Werndl had applied to the International Riding Federation (FEI) for a baby break from April 18th to October 18th.
Under the Maternity Leave Rule, 50 percent of her World Cup points that would have been forfeited during this break were protected.
Serving up six months despite feeling fit
Because the 36-year-old felt fit early on, she had asked the association to be allowed to start at a tournament in Ludwigsburg before the six months were up.
Your participation has not been approved.
This caused a lack of understanding in the German camp.
She found this interpretation of the regulations "simply unfair" because the FEI made it impossible for her to come back quickly after her baby break, she wrote on Instagram at the time.
"I was really looking forward to my comeback after the baby break in Ludwigsburg, but my participation was not approved." The German association also agreed with her.
On Friday (4:00 p.m.) the dressage freestyle is on the program in Lyon.
The next stop of the World Cup is in Stuttgart from November 9th to 13th.
From February 16th to 19th, 2023, the dressage elite will meet in Neumünster.
see/dpa
