Last weekend, the entire equestrian world had its eyes on Basel. The world’s top riders gathered at the St. Jakobshalle to compete in the World Cup Final. From a Holsteiner perspective, a number of horses caught the eye, although in the end it was other horses that took the top spots this time.
Hans-Dieter Dreher and his tried-and-tested Elysium by Zirocco Blue-Coronado (Manfred Tummes, Mühlheim a.d. Ruhr), line 4539, finished 13th in the overall rankings. In the second qualifier, the pair finished fourth. In Basel on Saturday, alongside the World Cup, a Grand Prix and a U25 competition (both 1.55 metres) took place as part of the supporting programme. Here, the former Bundeschampion Con Quality by Chin Champ-Quality (Hartmut Knop, Gilde), line 1298, successfully represented the Holstein colours, taking second place in the U25 competition with Adrian Schmid (SUI), whilst in the Grand Prix, two Casalito sons made it onto the list of placings: Castiel (dam’s sire: Clearway/Hobe Magens, Ottenbüttel), line 8769, and Bryan Balsiger (SUI) came second, and Chicharito (MV: Quo Vados I/Karl Heinz Knudsen, Pellworm), line 741, came eleventh under Adrian Schmid (SUI).
At the same time, a CSI4* competition was taking place in Arezzo, Italy. Here, Lorenz v. Livello-Clarimo (breeders Thorsten and Andrea Andresen), line 1907, secured second place in the 1.55-metre Grand Prix. Jens Baackmann was in the saddle of the bay, who had previously taken third place in another 1.50-metre show jumping class.
Photo: Stefan Lafrentz (Hans-Dieter Dreher and Elysium)
