Veuve Clicquot Secured as L.A. Olympic Hopeful for Frederic Wandres

Dressage

Germany

Veuve Clicquot, the winner of the warm-up round of the Louisdor Cup qualifier in Hagen, has been secured as an L.A.Olympic hopeful for German Olympian Frederic Wandres.

Veuve Clicquot is an 8-year old Hanoverian gelding by Vitalis out of Felies (by Furst Heinrich x Weltmeyer). He is bred by Josef Bramlage.

PSI Auction Horse

Discovered by Hof Kasselmann as a youngster, the chestnut was first competed by Lars Ligus in an A-level test during the Aachen Dressage Days held in Hagen in May 2022.

In December 2022 Veuve Clicquot sold for 510,000 euro to Taiwanese investor Terry Lan at the PSI Auction in Ankum. The horse remained in training with Ligus at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen.

In 2023 Lars and Veuve Clicquot finished 12th in the 5-year old finals at the 2023 Bundeschapionate in Warendorf after having won their first CDI in the young horse classes in Redefin in May. In 2024 the pair returned to the Bundeschampionate to finish with silver in the 6-year old finals.

In 2025 Ligus moved the gelding up to small tour level and rode him in the Nurnberger Burgpokal qualifiers in Hagen and Elmlohe. They won and were second in the 7-year old tests at the CDI Hagen in June 2025.

Taiwanese Horse for Germany

In the winter of 2025-206 Frederic Wandres took over the ride on Veuve Clicquot while Lars was working at Hof Kasselmann U.S.A. during the Wellington season.

Frederic debuted Veuve in an Intermediaire II in March 2026 to a winning score of 72.281%. At last weekend's CDI Hagen the pair competed in the warm-up round of the Louisdor Cup qualifier and won the class with 72.947%.

In Hagen Taiwanese owner Terry Lan reached an agreement with Taiwanese investor Joseph Chu, both long-time Hof Kasselmann clients, to share the ownership and secure the ride for Wandres as his 2028 L.A. Olympic Games hopeful.

L.A. Olympic Hopeful

Terry Lan, Joseph Chu, and German chef d'equipe
Klaus Roeser

Frederic Wandres has been a member of the German dressage team since 2022. He first rode at the 2022 World Championships in Herning with Duke of Britain, claiming team silver, after which Bluetooth OLD became his principal ride. The pair represented Germany at the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck, where they won team silver, and at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris, where they secured the team gold medal.

Wandres is now aiming for the 2022 World Championships with 16-year old Bluetooth, while Veuve Clicquot can slowly be prepared to take over the baton with Los Angeles in sight.

"Now that Terry and Joseph are co-owners it gives us security for the future without the pressure of sales. I can now educate the horse in all quietness," said Frederic. "We already have strong connections to Taiwan with Connie Kang. Joe and Terry are also long-time clients here with many other horses in ownership. I'm super thrilled that they are happy with the collaboration and to have a Taiwanese owned horse with Olympic perspective. I'm very happy that they have fun and enjoy doing this."

Wandres continued," I'd like to now take my time to slowly prepare him for Grand Prix and stay a little under the radar to see how it goes. Talking about "Olympics" are always big words, but I can understand it because this horse has the quality. We have spoken that Veuve could be "the horse" after Bluetooth with his potential, his willingness and charm. He's an eye catcher. Of course we have to try it with him."

Frederic clearly added that, "I'm so grateful to Lars as well who has done all the main, daily work on this horse. We train all our horses together, but Veuve Clicquot was really his project, dedication and work. Lars loves this horse and we will continue working as a team in co-operation with German team trainer Monica Theodorescu. Lars and I will do it together and we'll see what the journey will bring."