Elisabeth Max-Theurer Moves Focus to Germany - To Sponsor German Youth Riders

Dressage

Austria

Austrian Olympian Elisabeth "Sissy" Max-Theurer has moved her attention from Austria to Germany and signed with the German equestrian federation to sponsor the German Children, Junior and Young Riders squads.

Max-Theurer was the president of Austrian Equestrian Federation for 23 years and supported Austrian youth sport by supplying horses to different riders. In April 2026 she lost the vote for the OEPS presidency to Herbert Gugganig, which ended her reign as head honcho in her home country.

Elisabeth was European Champion in 1979, won Olympic gold in 1980, and reached the finals at two more Olympic Games. She is a passionate breeder of numerous championship horses, a 5* judge, and organizes top-level international competitions at her home stable in Achleiten.

As owner of the historic German brood farm and stallion station Gestüt Vorwerk in Cappeln, Germany, and with many of her horses in training with German riders, such as Laura Strobel, Dorothee Schneider, (as well as Belgian Justin Verboomen and Danish Daniel Bachmann Andersen), Max-Theurer has been supporting dressage sport across Europe.

Sissy will now tighten her collaboration with the German equestrian federation to support the youth riders.

"This partnership will provide targeted support for the junior squads during their international competitions," the German FN posted. Max-Theurer added, "the fascination of equestrian sport lies in the partnership with a living being for whom we bear a great deal of responsibility. Rider and horse must develop a special relationship. This is only possible on the basis of sound training for both the horses and, of course, the riders. My team and I at Vorwerk Stud Farm place the utmost importance on this – and this is also what the internationally recognized training system of German Equestrian Federation teaches. I am very pleased to be able to support the German junior dressage teams."