-- Text Horses & Dreams press release, edited by Eurodressage
-- Photos © Eurodressage NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED / NO SCREEN SHOTS for social media
Horses & Dreams meets the Netherlands thrilled almost 48,000 equestrian fans over the past five days. Athletes from 27 nations presented almost 600 horses in national and international show jumping and dressage competitions up to four-star level. The evening show in particular ensured that the stands were almost sold out on Saturday evening.
Organiser Ulli Kasselmann drew a positive balance: "The tournament may have started off a little difficult with the weather. But we have built up a great young team who have brought in lots of new ideas on how to make things better and friendlier for the spectators and patrons of the event."
Saturday Evening Show Night
The well-known social media and show stars Lisa and Matthes Röckener, Hella Gabbert, Tom Stein, Emilia Schlotterbeck and Kristy Snepvangers from the Netherlands drew rapturous applause from the spectators.
‘Last night at the show, the atmosphere was just fantastic! It shows that we need to offer a successful mix of sport and entertainment. In the future, we should also focus more on lighter, horse-friendly activities - no circus, but entertaining and educational interludes, such as the performances by the Röckener siblings and their co-stars. This is sporty riding - jumping, eventing, driving and vaulting - but in a different way.
Gudrun Bauer, who shoulders the
Riding Against Hunger charity
The national dressage coach was also more than satisfied with the start to the outdoor season. "I can draw a very positive conclusion after this weekend. We have had various tours since Wednesday, starting with the international three-star Grand Prix, then the two national series and today the four-star Grand Prix Special. Many new combinations of young horses or new horses under experienced riders have made their debuts in the international Grand Prix, which opens up promising prospects for the future," said Monica Theodorescu.
World Champion Life Time Wins Nurnberger Burgpokal Qualifier
After winning the warm-up round on Saturday, Charlott-Maria Schürmann and the Luxembourg owned Hanoverian stallion Life Time (by Livaldon x Furstenball) persevered in the final round and won the Prix St Georges Special on Sunday with 75.805%.
"I had even hoped for a few more points, but thank God it was enough,’ joked a happy Charlott-Maria Schürmann, who was the first rider to win a ticket to the final in Frankfurt in December. This was also her goal, the rider confirmed, ‘now Life Time can concentrate on breeding and we can gather strength for the season."
The second-placed Kira Laura Soddemann and Borghese MT (by Baccardi x Laureus) was second in the warm-up and returned to that ranking in the qualifier on Sunday with 75.244%. Today's score gives the pair a good starting position among the contenders who will be allowed to enter the final in Frankfurt as the best runners-up. Soddemann took over the ride on the talented chestnut from Dorothee Schneider, who competed the chestnut up to September 2023.
Diamante Negro Wins Louisdor Cup Qualifier
Aboard the Swiss owned Dante's Pearl (by Dante Weltino x San Amour) Schürmann also won the warm-up round for the Louisdor Cup qualifier for developing Grand Prix horses on Friday, but on Sunday the fourth placed pair rose to the top of the leader bord.
Juliane Brunkhorst and Janna Alpers' 9-year old DSP registered Diamante Negro (by DeLorean x Furst Romancier) secured their place in the final of the Louisdor Cup in December with a commanding victory in the final qualifier. The pair won the short Grand Prix with 73.915 %. This test is ridden without a whip, while in the Intermediaire II warm-up round riders are still allowed to carry a whip.
"I couldn't be prouder of him," enthused Juliane Brunkhorst after the test. "He delivered this difficult task with such naturalness and ease, you get the feeling he's really enjoying it. I was really pleased with the whole trot tour, his piaffe-passage transitions are also very special." Last year, the Hamburg Grand Prix rider rode the DeLorean son to silver in the Burgpokal final, and today's victory marked another important milestone in the gelding's training.
"The pressure is off for now, qualifying for Frankfurt again was definitely our goal for the year. We will now take our time and continue with the long Grand Prix, which will then be tested in Frankfurt. I'm looking forward to it."
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