Presse

Dorothee Schneider snatched two victories at the same time in the Alpenarena at Schindlhof at the prelude on Friday. After her victory in the Small Tour, the German Olympic Team Champion followed it up in the Grand Prix of the Special Tour. Schneider scored an impressive 75.413 percent with the 12-year-old gelding First Romance and thus took the victory.

“I am very proud of Roman (note: stable name of First Romance), he is a very special horse because he is just always fully on his game. It’s nice to see his development because now he is getting calmer and calmer in the arena and is not so overzealous anymore,” Dorothee Schneider explained in the winner’s interview.

Speaking of development. Austria’s current number 1 pair is developing almost explosively. Birkhof’s Topas and Victoria Max-Theurer have been a pair since August 2021 and the two have been riding from top ranking to top ranking ever since. This time the top-class jury awarded 74.739 percent for a ride full of highlights.

“I’m really very pleased,” Austria’s four-time Olympian said happily. “We are now slowly on the way to being able to risk even more together. The connection between us is great, with every test we grow even better together.” For the World Championships in Herning (DEN, August 6-14), the test has been more than successful in any case. “The Schindlhof is not a Danish soccer stadium, but it is the most beautiful setting you could wish for as a dressage rider. The conditions are amazing and the starting field is very well staffed. For us, an ideal preparation for the World Championships.”

Third and fourth place also went to Germany again: Nicole Wego-Engelmeyer lined up with Saphira Royal (72.369) ahead of under 25 European Champion Evelyn Eger on Westminster (71.043).

26th Manfred & Hilde Swarovski Memorial Tournament
Concours de Dressage International, CDI4* Schindlhof

#2 FEI Grand Prix – Qualification for Grand Prix Special
Honorary prizes from the company D. Swarovski KG for the Top-3
Honorary gift of the distillery Rochelt
1. Dorothee Schneider (GER), First Romance 2, 75.413
2. Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT), Birkhof’s Topas FBW, 74.739
3. Nicole Wego-Engelmeyer (GER), Saphira Royal 2, 72.369
4. Evelyn Eger (GER), Westminster 71, 71.043
5. Teia Hernandez Vila (ESP), Romero De Trujillo, 70.978
6. Anna Mierzwinska (POL), Dean Martin 69.739
7. Anna Merveldt (IRL), Esporim, 69.587
8. Augusti Elias Lara (ESP), Altaneiro, 69.043
9. Charlotte Lenherr (SUI), Sir Stanley W, 68.935
10. Borja Carrascosa (ESP), Laponia, 68.696
Other unplaced participants
13. Katharina Haas (AUT), Let it Be 11, 67.848
17. Amanda Hartung (AUT), Fürst Flipper, 66.761

Result in detail HERE