The CDI Wiesbaden is one of the most beautiful dressage competitions in the world, set in the delightful green park of the pink Biebrich castle in Wiesbaden, Germany, along the river Rhine. Unfortunately its 2017 edition was very lacklustre with the tiniest of international Grand Prix classes and the majority of top riders foregoing the event due to schedule complications.
The CDI Wiesbaden is annually hosted during Whitsun weekend and this year it was quite late, at the beginning of June. With the FEI calendar filling up with more dressage competitions than ever before and the schedule getting busiers, riders have more options to choose from (CDI Roosendaal and CDIO Uggerhalne the same weekend) and select events with the bigger purses (CDI Munich the weekend before). The fact that the German Dressage Championships will take place next weekend also drastically reduced the entry field for Wiesbaden.
Furthermore, while the setting is nothing short of magical, the conditions behind the scene are not optimal for horse and rider. Due to the park and environmental/nature restrictions from the local city community, there is hardly any space for the riders and their vehicles as well as for the horses. When it rains, the ground becomes difficult to maintain because the organizers have to follow very strict environmental regulations in that landmark park. Hosting the CDI Wiesbaden is certainly complicated, but it is regrettable that such a fantastic show does not get more support from the riders.
On a national level, Wiesbaden certainly had much to offer with a Louisdor Cup qualifier for German Developing Grand Prix horses (won by Ingrid Klimke on Franziskus). Furthermore, Wiesbaden is the first of two German team selection trials for the youth riders who strive for a team spot for the 2017 European Pony, Junior and Young Riders Championships.
The international classes were won by Sönke Rothenberger on Favourit (by Fidermark x Worldchamp) in the Special tour which had 9 combinations, while Isabell Werth and Don Johnson (by Don Frederico x Warkant) dominated the Kur tour which had just 6 riders.
Check out out a photo report from our German liaison Barbara Schnell
Photos © Barbara Schnell
Related Links
Scores: 2017 CDI Wiesbaden
German Team Candidates for 2017 European Youth Riders Championships Named
Werth and Lutkemeier Take Top Honour at 2016 CDI Wiesbaden
Werth and El Santo Win Kur under Floodlight at 2015 CDI Wiesbaden
Totilas Brings Out the Crowds and Magic at 2014 CDI Wiesbaden
Don Johnson Conserves His Good Form and Wins at 2013 CDI Wiesbaden
German Youth Riders Set the Bar at First E.C. Selection Trial at 2012 CDI Wiesbaden
Battle of the Titans Part I at the 2011 CDI Wiesbaden
A Stroll in the Park: A Day at the 2010 CDI Wiesbaden