The harder the work week turned out to be before the weekend of the 2011 CDI Stuttgart, the lesser my thrill of anticipation became at the thought of visiting this indoor version of Aachen which features international competitions in 5 FEI disciplines and a comparable sparkling atmosphere. I was wondering whether it wouldn't be nicer to stay at home and recover from the week's strains with another similar busy one lurking on Monday?
Because my old pony sustained a severe knee bruise on Thursday, I thought that he had made the decision for me: Stay home, nurse my gelding and myself. I should have known better! On Friday afternoon my pony got a bit better and I started to be restless. I packed the equipment in my car and set the alarm clock for 4.30 o'clock in the morning, but still couldn't believe I was going to get up that early on a Saturday morning to be in Baden-Württemberg's capital in time for the Grand Prix.
I shouldn't have worried! 15 minutes before the alarm went off I was fully awake, jumping out of my bed, had a small breakfast and hurried downwards to my car. Here we go again! I had all forgotten about the little hours of sleep over the past week, the many working hours which left my body feeling drained as well as my negative attitude towards more stress and work on the weekend. Once again my heart had beaten my mind. Outside it's not as freezing cold as the past days, but a thick impenetrable fog surrounded everything and made the drive no fun.
However, my spirits were high, my mood on a wave of anticipation, and I listened to my favourite radio station (SWR 3) so that the 125 km to Stuttgart through the fog flew by. I felt an eager and unnerving feeling inside of not reaching the location soon enough. Unfortunately I got caught in a speed trap, but it didn't 't annoy me too long as the „Porsche Arena“ with the attached „Schleyerhalle“ got in sight.
I hurried from the nearby huge parking area to the small bridge which crossed the main street to the entrance. The trade stands were still closed and there were no visitors in sight an hour before the first action was going to start. I savoured this moment of calmness before the storm, exactly knowing that all was soon to change.
Watching the Grand Prix Warm Up
In the Porsche Arena, which is a huge hall with high tribunes, the first rider of the Grand Prix, Canadian Pia Fortmüller on Leslie Reid's 2008 Olympic dressage horse Orion, was warming-up under the supervision of her trainer Heike Kemmer. Isabell Werth's groom walked a saddled Warum Nicht in hand, though he won't have a start at this show. „Hannes“ looked as innocent as can be or just a bit tired early in the morning? I say „hello“ to photographer Barbara Schnell who already worked diligently taking photos of Brigitte Wittig's young mare Blind Date. This chestnut mare was so successful at small tour level and now faces international Grand Prix competitions.
I confess I have a weak spot for most of Breitling's dressage offspring and love their type which might not be mainstream breeding. I am pleased to see this mare progressing. Soon after an acquaintance bumped into me, looking as sleepy eyed as I was. The adrenaline which started flowing increasingly towards the start of the class, helped to feel us awake again.
A bit unwilling I left the Porsche Arena for the start of the Grand Prix which I want to cover for Eurodressage. It's not that I don't like watching so many good horses gathered in one class, but in general the warm-ups are more interesting as you can observe different styles and approaches, admittedly not all delighting me.
The Schleyerhalle with its big tribunes on all sides was still quite empty. Arriving at 8 o'clock on a Saturday morning is something for hard-core dressage lovers. When I entered the tribune next to the horses' entrance a Swiss journalist joined me and we watched the class together. Also she, a long time visitor of this show, which had its debut in 1986, had no idea why dressage had to start at 8 followed by the vaulting class at 11 am. I would very much prefer switching both classes in future.
The Grand Prix was a good class and as soon as it was over I wandered off to the nearby press centre to fetch me a cappuccino.
Stuttgart with its high class field in many disciplines and its various trade stands and remarkable crowd is only a smaller version of Aachen. I love to go to Aachen, but I have no problems admitting that Stuttgart is equally fabulous because it is very convenient for the press. You just have to walk one minute from the press centre to the tribune, so it's even possible to quickly pick up a cappuccino or some really nice food (which is not for granted in all press centres!) in between.
News was leaking to us that Victoria Max- Theurer’s stallion Augustin OLD had been naughty in the warm-up, rearing and throwing off his rider. Their nice ride in the Grand Prix, which earned them 2nd place, had shown no signs of the frightening incident as Max-Theurer had her big bay stallion back on the ball and attentive to her aids.
Trade Fair Delight
After a nice lunch I wandered off to the trade stand of “Reiterjournal”, Baden- Württemberg’s equestrian magazine. It offers a wide range of books, but I was looking for an art print by famous horse painter Klaus Philipps which would be perfect above my new sofa. How lucky am I? There the print is offered in the right size showing legendary eventer Lucinda Green jumping a brush oxer at Luhmühlen. Happily I paid the price and decided to bring it to my car as I had still lots of time and the parking wasn’t far.
However, easier said than done because even 100 m can be impossible to cover if the entrances are unbelievably crowded with people who all want to go inside! There was no chance for me to squeeze myself through and go outside. So I had to use the exit on the backside which meant I had to walk around the whole Porsche Arena complex, walk the stairs up to the bridge over the busy street again and go over. I took the same way back to avoid the waiting masses in front of the entrance.
Oh well, the pleasures of a big show and at least I got some exercise done.
Back in the Schleyerhalle the arena was visibly more crowded than in the morning. I sat down next to the horse entrance again and dozed a bit, as the arena was still half dark with jumpers walking a course for a looming speed class. The peace was soon gone with bright flood lights immediately switched on. Right in front of my nose German TV commentator Carsten Sostmeier appeared and tried to imitate US boxing announcer Michael Buffer who had become a cult figure to the Germans when Henry Maske’s boxing was in its prime.
While I am not the type of person that likes such playschool stuff the crowds were raging in delight. Two identical courses were built in the arena, one to the left and one to the right where two jumpers raced against each other, one from the native Baden- Württemberg and one international jumper. Although I watch jumping at international championships and try staying up-to-date in this discipline I never liked it like dressage or eventing, but this speed class did absolutely nothing for me. It’s not about not having fun at a show and delighting the crowds who have paid for seeing some entertainment, but the way some of these jumper riders attack the fences at full speed, pulling the reins to turn around, the loud music and the raving crowds; I ask myself if this is the sense of the sport…Old Rome is greeting!
The same could theoretically be said about the indoor driving which followed, but somehow the situation (I watched it for the first time!) appeared completely different to me.
These horses managed to deeply impress me and despite the shouting, clapping, the loud music etc. it definitely was high class sport with horses who seemed to love it.
Apart from some eventing horses I had never seen four legged athletes more eager and engaged than these driving horses, mainly warmbloods, but also some Lipizzan-Kladruber-crosses and a Guelderlander.
The way they react in fractions of a second, they pull and push against each other to squeeze through tiny corridors and how they fight for their drivers were a delight to watch. Inwardly I had to think of my Swiss friend’s father, a passionate driver, international judge and FEI steward in this discipline and for the first time in all those years I began to understand what he finds so fascinating about this sport.
Back to Duty
For hours I desperately tried to get German Grand Prix rider Sabine Becker on her mobile to make an appointment for an interview on the come back of her horse Lamarc, which had been out for half a year and returned to the show ring this summer. As I failed permanently I decided to catch her in the warm-up arena where she prepared Lamarc for the freestyle. When I entered the Porsche Arena several of the show’s volunteers and Isabell Werth were striking a pose with her old campaigner Satchmo, who was performing in his retirement ceremony later the day. As an old pro the Hanoverian pricks his ears for the photographers and seemed to enjoy the patting from a woman who stood next to him, when out of the blue Satchie swung round, obviously having enough of standing quietly.
In the meantime Lamarc had entered the warm–up and before I could talk to his rider he purposefully wandered off with given reins, to the packed crowds, curiously putting his silky chestnut nose in between them. Laughters all around and the horse saying hello got some pats from the people he had pushed aside. Next round in walk the dark brown gelding repeated his game, again stretching his neck over the board to sniff the spectators. What a difference with some other horses which suspiciously look at all the visitors. Phew, I managed to get an appointment for after the class.
Freestyle Fun
Soon it was time to prepare for the freestyle. I decided to watch it with a befriended Grand Prix rider who had already done her part in the morning. We were a bit late and almost the whole rider tribune was crowded so we had to be content with impractical seats in the first row where the Rolex watch was always in the way. There were many equestrian VIP sitting around, among them show jumping legend Hans-Günther Winkler, who talked to Rainer Korsch aka “Hacki”, as well as Isabell Werth’s former long time groom who had already groomed for Winkler’s teammate, the late Hartwig Steenken. He had travelled to Stuttgart for Satchmo’s retirement ceremony.
Despite our seats the freestyle was fun to watch as always in the merry Stuttgart atmosphere. Girasol, Nadine Capellmann's gorgeous chestnut mare, was at her best. Ears pricked almost entirely during her display the Württemberger mare showed a world class trot tour to Udo Jürgens' music and left the impression she was having fun as much as we had.
One thing I noticed and which bothered my about the overall lovely Stuttgart Kur to Music class was why on earth so many international riders use the same music over and over again. And what’s the intention behind a choreography where the onlookers think several times that the freestyle’s end had come and then it still went on?
After being on my feet for more than 13 hours my eyes started to burn and I immediately became very tired. I stumbled off to the coffee vendor in the press centre and headed to the Porsche Arena to meet Sabine Becker for the interview. I fought a little bit with my weaker self contemplating if I should have diner with my friend and the owners of her horse and see Satchmo’s retirement ceremony afterwards or if I should give in to my increasing tiredness and drive home.
I chose the latter and as soon as I was back on the motorway to Heidelberg, after having survived an awful jam in inner Stuttgart, I had to try desperately not to fall asleep behind the steering wheel. While my car trundled at a mere 100 km / h on the right traffic lane I knew that sometimes it’s good not to act heart over mind, even though it was the passion in my heart that led me to Stuttgart that day.
Text and Photos © Silke Rottermann
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI Stuttgart
Photo Report: Barbara Schnell at the 2011 CDI Stuttgart
Satchmo Retired from Competition
Don Johnson and Desperados Win 2011 Otto Lorke Prize
Klaus Balkenhol Proclaimed Riding Master