Smidek, Cordt, Hofer, Brandtstätter, Spranz, Gmoser Win 2026 Austrian Dressage Championships

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2026 Austrian Dressage Championships

Pony rider Emma Smidek, children rider Nele Cordt, junior rider Fabian Hofer, young rider Emilia Brandstätter , Under 25 rider Fiona Spranz , and senior Grand Prix rider Peter Gmoser became the winners of the 2026 Austrian Dressage Championships in Fernitz on 4 - 6 September 2026. Julia Scancialepore successfully defended her title in the para division.

Third Grand Prix Title for Peter Gmoser

In the queen's class, the Grand Prix division, Austrian team rider Peter Gmoser secured his third senior big tour title in his career. After not finding the proper connection with his horse at the World Championship with his horse Dante's Daiquiri (by Dante Weltio x Avagon x Dream of Glory) Gmoser went back to the drawing board and was able to convince the black into producing a winning weekend in Fernitz. He previously won gold in 2022 and 2023.

Gmoser hadn't originally planned to compete Dante's Daiquiri but the rider changed his mind and felt he needed redemption.

“I wanted to know if she had taken anything away from our ride in Aachen, and how she would perform in a competition setting," he explained. "In the first part of the competition, I didn't ride with maximum expression. It was simply important to me that she felt relaxed and comfortable, and that worked out well. She was really chilled out – completely different from three weeks ago in Aachen. It was simply a pleasure to ride here in this dignified setting. And of course, winning is always more fun than losing."

In the Grand Prix the pair scored 69,920 % and stayed ahead of Astrid Neumayer on Bamboo ( 69,260 %). In the Kur Gmoser scored 73,050% for a winning total and gold medal. Neumayer had to retire from the freestyle as her horse had thrown the tongue over the bit. This left room for Martin Hauptmann to move into silver medal position with Quantum Glück (by Quantensprung) with 67,400% in the Grand Prix and 72,92% in the Kur. Bronze was for Julia Pucher on the 14-year old Sir Weinberg (by ). They scored 65,540 % and 70,650%. Franziska Fries and Sunny Time were fourth with 67,220 % and 64,905% after her horse made an extra turn in the double pirouette, which is not allowed. It affected her freestyle score tremendously.

Results - 2026 Austrian Dressage Championships - Fernitz

Pony Riders

1. Emma Smidek - Glückskind WE - 146.886%
2. Nina Lehner - Dwayne - 135.856%
3. Katharina Krestan - Nane H 3 - 133.033%

Children

1. Nele Cordt - Fauntleroy 6 - 147.418%
2. Josephina Baetge - Kvisgaards Lady Gaga - 146.891%
3. Emma Hödl - Falco 414 - 144.009%

Junior Riders

1. Fabian Hofer - Zahara - 141.516%
2. Sabrina Brötzner - Bernini VMT - 139.413%
3. Sophia Riedl - Man in Black 13 - 137.637%

Young Riders

1. Emilia Brandstätter - DSP Weena - 138.377%
2. Katharina Zajic - Fidelio 30 - 136.052%
3. Leonie Kerbl - Magic K - 132.851%

Under 25

1. Fiona Spranz - Santiago 16 - 136.284%
2. Corinna Gebhard - Chico 32 - 135.335%
3. Anna Schwarzlmüller-Kröpfel - Fürst Charmeur OLD - 131.172%

Seniors Small Tour

1. Belinda Weinbauer - Diamond of Eternity GV - 143.026%
2. Florian E. Zimmermann - Bonjour Majlund - 141.491%
3. Nina Wagner - Indigo ANW - 138.465%

Seniors Grand Prix

1. Peter Gmoser - Dante's Daiquiri - 69,920 % - 73,050% --- 142.970%
2. Martin Hauptmann- Quantum Glueck - 67,400% - 72,920% --- 140.320%
3. Julia Pucher - Sir Weinberg - 65,540 % - 70,650% --- 136.190%
4. Franziska Fries - Sunny Time - 67,220 % - 64,905% --- 131,125
5. Bernhard Affenberger - Valmarron - 65,000% - 66,890% --- 131,890
Astrid Neumayer - Bamboo - 69,260 - RET --- /

Para

1. Julia Sciancalepore - Heinrich IV - 145.308
2. Yvonne Isabel Spielhofer - Daisy 111 - 140.742
3. Julia Mitterhuemer - Showgirl 4 - 137.680

Complete scores here.