This week German rider Isabel Werth won the European Dressage Championships. She also had the highest score, a PB for Isabel and her horse Bella Rose, in the Team competition. So…..Isabel is the European Dressage Champion. And it is not for the first time. This is the sixth time she is Champion. What makes a Champion? I think there are three important things.
Longevity. Winning one race in a record time or scoring a winning goal in an important game, or winning a championship once are all the signs of a talented athlete. But it takes more than that to be classed as a Champion. Isabel Werth is the most decorated equestrian athlete in the world. She has won Olympic, and World Championship medals, as well as multiple Championships. She has three, yes three horses in the FEI top ten ranked horse/rider combinations in the world. She is currently in first place, second place and sixth place. Isabel keeps coming back, riding different horses, and she keeps on winning.

Consistency. To be able to do so well on so many different horses over several decades makes it clear she is not just lucky, or just has a great horse.I have watched Isabel over two decades and I have seen her ride different horses, not easy ones either, and she is a consummate professional rider.
Champions’ Attitude. Having a Champions attitude does not mean having a big head and being impressed with yourself. It means complete dedication to your sport, the hours of practice, and the not so glamorous hard work that make it possible to get to the top. It means sacrificing a lot of your personal life and your time. It means having the courage to go out onto that skinny limb and risk it when you compete. Complete focus, endless patience, and the mettle that means you never, ever, give up. Five years ago Isabel’s horse, Bella Rose, had a difficult injury and it took four years for the mare to come back . Isabel had other horses, top horses, to ride but she never gave up on Bella Rose. Now the mare gives her everything she can in the competition ring. It is a Champion’s partnership.

For me those are the things that make the real Champions. Congratulations Isabel and Bella Rose. Here is a video of her winning ride. It is edited to show just highlights but it really does not get better than this.
I would also add mental toughness, often called “grit” or “reboundability”. So much of what you write about corresponds to my world in figure skating! One of my favorite sayings is “a setback is a set-up for a comeback” and it is oh-so important:) Great article!
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I love that saying! Thanks for sharing it.
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The pingback did not make to my post site, maybe because you are not using wordpress. Could you send me your link of your framing post (in the comment section) if you don’t mind. I want our followers get to see your beautiful post.
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Hmmm not sure why that did not work. I am on WordPress and when I click on the pingback it takes me to your “frame” post page. I put a link on in comments.
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Sorry for the trouble. You can come to my comment section and see pingbacks showing there.
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Yes I did and looked as some of the others. So interesting to see other’s responses and their lovley photos.
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This is a wonderful conversation. The elements mentioned apply to so many walks of life. Thank so much for reminded us about these factors.
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You are most welcome. I’m glad you can relate!
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A beautiful tribute Anne, the video is amazing. What a fantastic team they are. And what a record she holds. Wow!
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She is truly a GOAT ( greatest of all time) in dressage and equestrian sport. Thanks for commenting and also for taking the time to look at the video!
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A GOAT – hah! That’s a new one on me Anne.
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Roger Federer is often referred to as the GOAT of tennis. That’s where I got it from.
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Thank you for the video link. The performance is amazing….
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Thank you for taking the time to look at the video. It is a masterclass in dressage really.
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So impressive! Thank you again!
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A beautiful horse
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This is some different and unknown world to me. I always love reading and knowing about this from this place it gives happiness also inspiring. It is wonderful for me to know the love, dedication and hope you people have in you and your horses . (I didn’t see the video)
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Thank you for reading and commenting Subbashini. It is a different world from yours perhaps but there are similarities in all of our worlds that speak of common human experience.
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I agree!
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And three key qualities that produce champions in life, as well!
Loved the video, Anne.
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I agree Sandy. There is much in life that needs the Champions Attitude. Glad you liked the video. It really is the best of the best of dressage.
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There are many comparisons I would make between being a championship rider and a championship coach…or having championship teams. I would add one…Love. Love for the sport but more importantly love for the animals (players?) you are training.
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Yes! Thank you for this comment. You are so right. The love of riding and the love of horses. It is a passion really and without it there could be no joy and no Championship wins. I’m so glad you mentioned this.
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