Alexandra Vodermaier Declares for Australia

Dressage

Germany

German dressage rider Alexandra Vodermair has obtained dual citizenship and declared to ride for Australia. She will make her first international start under the Australian flag at the CDI Wiesbaden.

The Pull between Germany and Australia

The 39-year old Vodermaier has held ties with Australia since the age of 18 when a working experience down under in 2003 sparked her love for the country.

Alexandra is sister to German professional dressage rider Andrea Petit (née Vodermair). Alexandra began her professional career as a rider in 2014, first as a show groom and assistant rider for Ferdinand Csaki at Sara Marburg's yard near Munich.

Vodermair moved to Australia in 2016 and got married to Jonathan Scharrer. In the autumn of 2020 she made a brief return to Germany when she was offered a position at Helgstrand Germany, but in July 2021 the couple returned to Australia. As of the spring 2022 she has been building her own business at Sutton Farm in Bowral, New South Wales.

Declare for Australia

In February 2025 Alexandra became an Australian citizen and hold dual citizenship. She now also declared to ride for Australia.

"I have been living and working in Australia all together for more then 12 years," Alexandra told Eurodressage. "I love this country and especially the people. I got so many great opportunities, I was able to grow and became the rider I am today with the help and support of amazing clients, friends and family. The decision to represent Australia wasn’t difficult."

Alexandra is back in Germany at the moment and hopes to qualify for the 2025 World Young Horse Championships in Verden.

She will make her international show debut, not only as an Australian but as a rider, at the CDI Wiesbaden with the 6-year old Hanoverian gelding Exact (by Escamillo x Hohenstein) with whom she became Champion of Champions at the 2025 Australian Young Horse Championship. With this horse she won silver in 2023 and in 2024.