Last Minute Changes to German Field for 2026 CDI-W Stuttgart, Vayron and Richter Out

Dressage

Germany

Some last minute changes to the German starters' field at the 2026 CDI-W Stuttgart have been carried. Ingrid Klimke's come back with Vayron has been postponed.

Vayron's Come Back Postponed

Klimke and Vayron, a pair that won team gold at the 2025 European Championships in Crozet but which dropped out of the running for team selection for the 2026 World Championships due to an injury, were scheduled to return to the arena in Stuttgart.

Ingrid and Rudolf Spiekermann's 15-year old Westfalian stallion (by Vitalis x Gloster) competed in only two CDI's in 2026: in Lier in February and in Hagen in April, where they finished second ith 75.087% in the Grand Prix and 74.915% in the Special. They missed the first team selection trial in Balve and were not fit for Aachen.

Klimke's spot in Stuttgart has been taken by Lena Hassmann on the 9-year old Chere Celine (by Governor x San Amour). After placing 7th in the 2025 Louisdor Cup Finals, they made their Grand Prix debut in 2026. They most recently scored 67.326% in the Grand Prix at the CDI Troidorf and got 68.723% in the Special.

Lord Europe Out, Richter Injured

Leonie Richter and Mira Disco's 10-year old Rhinelander stallion Lord Europe (by Lord Leatherdale x Boston) had planned on competing in Stuttgart but the combination has been withdrawn.

"Sadly I had an accident with a horse last week," Leonie told Eurodressage. "I need a break of 2 weeks before I am allowed to ride again."

Richter and Lord Europe have been climbing the ladder this year after posting 70.109% (GP) and 71.915% (GPS) at the CDI Herning, a 72.261% at the CDI Hagen and in July a 71.152% in the CDIO Falsterbo Grand Prix.

Their spot has been taken by Juliane Brunkhorst on the 10-year old Brandenburg bred Diamante Negro (by DeLorean x Furst Romancier). This pair only competed at one international this year, in Tolbert, for a 68.913% Grand Prix score. Their last show was the national in Munster, where they got 71.980% in the Grand Prix.

German Affair

The CDI-W Stuttgart is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The event has been a staple on the German show calendar but is no longer the prime venue where world records were ridden in the 2000s and it no longer hosts the Piaff Forderpreis finals.

The show continues to be a German observation trial, though, with team trainer Monica Theodorescu present. Updated German squads are usually announced after Stuttgart. The annual recipients of the Otto Lörke prize are celebrated in Stuttgart.

This year's World Cup qualifier includes German top riders Isabell Werth (Viva Gold), Frederic Wandres (Verrenberg), Katharina Hemmer (Slaide), Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Times Kismet), Benjamin Werndl (Quick Decision), amongst others. Werth will also compete Quantaz in the 4*. H

Traditionally one "local" Baden Wurttemberger rider gets invited to compete in the big tour. This year that is Carina Harnisch on her 11-year old Thuringian bred Sheldon Cooper (by Sezuan x Rosenstein). After winning the 2024 Louisdor Cup finals, the pair has been trying to break through in international Grand Prix sport. Their Grand Prix high score so far is 71.435% achieved in Stuttgart a year ago. At the CDIO Hagen last July they posted 69.565%.