Among other events, the World Cup Finals in show jumping and dressage were held in Leipzig this weekend – both featuring Holstein horses (representing Germany) and yielding outstanding results.
In the show jumping arena, in the first class on Thursday, C-Vier by Cardento-Concorde (W. Wolters, Groningen), line 8818, and David Will (GER) came fourth, whilst Monaco by Cassini II-Contender (Ralf Lütje, Haseldorf), line 429, and Harrie Smolders (NED) finished ninth. In the second round on Friday, Will and the strikingly marked bay horse had two knockdowns, whilst Monaco and Harrie Smolders confidently secured fourth place. In the final round of the competition, Will and C-Vier were one of only three pairs to remain clear in both rounds, securing them the day’s victory. With one knockdown in the second round, Monaco and Harrie Smolders finished in sixth place. In the overall rankings, this meant silver for Monaco and Harrie Smolders behind Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs. C-Vier and David Will finished in sixth place – as the best German pair.
And in the dressage arena, too, a representative from the country between the seas once again shone in her performances: European team champion Annabelle v. Conteur-Linaro (Günther Fielmann, Schierensee), Stallion No. 776, and her rider Helen Langehanenberg had the honour of competing for Germany as one of three pairs. Twice – in the Short Grand Prix and the Freestyle – they finished sixth. “It has always been my aim to be able to bring her incredible energy, combined with her lightness and elegance, into the arena. And that’s exactly how I felt at the World Cup Final,” enthused the proud rider. “It made me very proud to have earned her trust to such an extent.”
And there were also some promising young Holsteiner horses on show in the Youngster Tour: in the first qualifier on the Friday of the event, for eight-year-olds over 1.40 metres, a son of Casall won with an impressive round: Dark Chocolate (MV. Acodetto), bred by the Oldekop family (Schönwalde), line 3389, was ridden by Denis Lynch (IRL). Another Holsteiner followed in second place: Untouchable by Comme il faut-Contender (Stall Moorhof), line 2067, ridden by Kaya Lüthi (SUI) – he went on to win the second qualifier the following day, before Dark Chocolate claimed victory in the final on Sunday.
Eventing
Meanwhile, the season for eventing riders and horses is also gathering pace: in Strzegom, Poland, for example, competitors gathered for, amongst other things, a three- and four-star competition. A Holstein mare emerged as the winner of the CCI3*-S: Corminta vom Gwick by Cormint-Contendro I (Horst Schneider, Bröthen), line 2067, is stabled with Merel Blom (NED) and competed at the 2020 World Championships for Young Eventing Horses in Le Lion d’Angers (FRA), where she won the bronze medal. In the CCI4*-S, Timmo by Timolino xx-Carlos DZ (Ole Lehmann, Graasten), line 6042, enjoyed great success, finishing in second place.
Further successes by Holsteiners from around the world can be found here:
Photo by Stefan Lafrentz: Monaco and Harrie Smolders
