German Grand Prix rider Matthias Bouten made it to the big time at the 2015 CDI-W Brno in the Czech Republic as he managed to take out almost all of the small and big tour classes. After leaving Isabell Werth's yard in the summer of 2013, where he worked as an assistant trainer, Bouten is now finally claiming his own spot in the sunshine by moving himself into the winner's circle aboard Fraulein Auguste, Sohnlein Brilliant, and Ehrengold.
Bouten confirmed that Brno was a well organised show with a really friendly ground crew.
“The footing in the warm up and the main arena was good and the organisers were really trying to please every rider,” Matthias told Eurodressage. “We had good luck with the weather and it was mostly sunny and warm. While it did rain sometimes it was never when I was riding; lucky me!”
Matthias won the Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I with 73.210% and 71.737% aboard Fräulein Auguste MJ, a 9-year old mare by Florencio x Worldly. The rider describes as a real lady with very nice behaviour and a superb willingness to work every day. “She is always in a good mood and with no real weakness," he added.
Taking out the Grand Prix for Kur with 71.500% on the 13-year old Hanoverian gelding Sohnlein Brilliant (by Shakespeare in Love x Rabino), Matthias was well on his way to winning the Brno World Cup Qualifier, but landed a second place in the freestyle.
"Brilliant is a really big horse with a lovely character," said Matthias. "He has a really good canter with lovely changes."
On his third ride of the weekend, the 12-year old stallion Ehrengold MJ (by Ehrentusch x Rohdiamant) he won the Grand Prix Special with 71.392% after placing third in the Grand Prix. Matthias describes Ehrengold as a beautiful stallion, a real eye catcher with super trot extensions. “He has a really good walk and nice piaffe," he added.
Based in Alpen, Germany, which is close to Wesel, Matthias trains with Wolfram Wittig, with whom he has a perfect understanding.
“He comes twice a month to my home stable and helps me with all my horses and he also joins me at the bigger shows," said Bouten. "The training with him is really harmonious and he always tries to take pressure away from the rider and the horse. It's a lot of fine tuning work we are doing at home at the moment and Wolfram always searches for a really easy, light way of riding, with every horse. He always has a joke on his lips to make you laugh.”
Matthias hopes to be successful in international shows with Söhnlein Brilliant and Ehrengold and aims to get a place in the German B2 squad.
“This is a dream," Matthias admitted. "Fräulein Auguste is already qualified with 75% for the Nürnberger Burgpokal Final this year . This is her big goal, so we are just planning a few shows until the end of the year to keep her in the routine."
Bouten has two more horses that he wants to ride the Nürnberger Burgpokal qualifiers this year as well as some more really interesting youngsters coming up.
“I hope that the year goes on the same way it has started and I am really spoiled with my whole team, the Jerich and Werle families as the owners of the horses I am riding, Wolfram Wittig and my partner Vicente Arroyo, as well as my top groom Kathrin Thiemann," said a grateful Bouten. "It's a pleasure to work with all of them every day. I am more than happy where I am, as it was always my dream to have my own stable and have it running so well."
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Ivana Marsalkova - Barbara Schnell
Related Links
Scores 2015 CDI-W Brno
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What's Happening: August 2013 - Part 1
Isabell Werth's Flatley Sold and Winning with New Rider