The highly successful German show circuit for upcoming Grand Prix Horses is set to start with its first qualifier at the CDI Hagen at the end of April. For the 2012 edition there has been a new sponsor, yet again!
The circuit has been struggling to find support from sponsors and to keep a consistent name. It started out as the HKM circuit, then it was sponsored for a few years by CP Medien, during which period the series had all the glitz and glam to attrack major interest from riders. Last year it was sponsored by Tesch Inkasso when the company CP Medien went bankrupt.
For 2012 the Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation has decided to shoulder the circuit and they have baptised it the "Louisdor Prize" named after Rheinberger's last Grand Prix horse Louisdor. The Foundation has committed to supporting the "Louisdor Prize - Upcoming Grand Prix Horse" circuit for the next three years.
This wonderful competition series is for 8 to 10-year old Grand Prix horses which compete in an Intermediaire II class and Short Grand Prix. Renowned international horses such as Dablino, Damon Hill and El Santo all competed in this circuit in Germany before making it to the big league.
The 2012 Louisdor Prize circuit includes the following events:
- Hagen - 26 - 29 April 2012
- Hamburg - 17 - 20 May 2012
- Balve - 31 May - 3 June 2012
- Heroldsberg - 20 - 22 July 2012
- Donaueschingen - 13 - 16 September 2012
- Finals: Frankfurt - 13 - 16 December 2012
Dr. Evi Eisenhardt, board member of the Rheinberger Foundation and international dressage judge, said that "the Christmas decorations in the Frankfurter Festhalle create a beautiful setting. We also have the perfect combination of two dressage show circuit finals there: the Nurnberger Burgpokal for the best small tour horses and the Louisdor Prize to see how young horses take on Grand Prix level."
Source: ST.GEORG
Photo © Barbara Schnell
Related Links
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