{"id":48581,"date":"2026-04-10T10:44:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T08:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/?p=48581"},"modified":"2026-04-10T11:08:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T09:08:58","slug":"becky-moody-gp-finale-coupe-du-monde-dressage-fort-worth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/en\/news\/2026\/04\/10\/becky-moody-gp-finale-coupe-du-monde-dressage-fort-worth\/","title":{"rendered":"Moody in front, Simonson surprises: the Grand Prix kicks off the battle for the World Cup Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In an electric atmosphere in Fort Worth, Becky Moody<\/strong> took the lead of the FEI Dressage World Cup Final from day one. With her trusted Jagerbomb<\/strong>, the Brit edges ahead of young American Christian Simonson<\/strong> and Patrik Kittel<\/strong>. But nothing is decided yet: Saturday\u2019s K\u00fcr resets the scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Jagerbomb, a homebred on display<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Holding her nerve was essential. Becky Moody did just that, and in style. Last to go in this opening Grand Prix in Fort Worth, the Brit delivered a solid, clean, almost clinical test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Result: 76.761%. Enough to take the lead and send a clear message to the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Her partner? Jagerbomb, a KWPN gelding born\u2026 at home. A homebred shaped with patience and partnership. And it shows. Combining power and elasticity, the pair displays a rare harmony at this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my baby,\u201d she says. A relationship that weighs heavily when the pressure rises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Simonson, 23 and already among the elite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The sensation of the day comes from the United States.
At just 23, Christian Simonson secured second place with 75.413% in his first final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Riding Indian Rock, former star mount of Emmelie Scholtens, the American long believed he had the win in hand. An impressive piaffe, an engaged test, and above all remarkable composure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurreal,\u201d he said after his performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The youngster is no longer an outsider. He is already a serious threat for the K\u00fcr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Kittel solid, but not sharp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The 2024 World Cup winner, Sweden\u2019s Patrik Kittel, completes the podium with 72.869% on Touchdown<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve seen him more incisive. Notably due to a flawed halt at entry, \u201cvery costly,\u201d in his own words. What followed was clean, with no major mistakes, but lacked the brilliance needed to trouble the two leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No panic, however: Kittel is waiting for the K\u00fcr, his favorite playground. And he says it plainly\u2014he still has cards to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The Grand Prix, a no-frills benchmark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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No music. No choreography.
The Grand Prix is the raw test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same test for everyone. Same demands. Judges scrutinize everything: accuracy, transitions, attitude, connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some pitfalls always take their toll\u2014halt and rein-back at the top of the list. In a packed Dickies Arena, every detail matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mendoza Loor, the fairytale for $20<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Impossible to ignore Julio Mendoza Loor.
The Ecuadorian opened the competition with 72.000% on Jewel\u2019s Goldstrike\u2026 a horse bought for $20 from a friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, $20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"FEI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Leading for a good part of the class, the Pan American champion eventually finished fourth, but with palpable emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a fairytale,\u201d he says. Hard to argue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The rest: Sysojeva, Treffinger, Fairchild, Barban\u00e7on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Behind the leading quartet, the hierarchy is taking shape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n