Louise Luttgen and Dornik B became the 2007 German Pony Champions. In pony dressage, you naturally see a lot of combinations come and go as the riders reach the age limit of sixteen. Sometimes, though, it is especially sad to see such a pair come to the end of its career, and Louisa and Dornik B were such a pair.
Starting with the European Youngster Classics in Bonn this year, these two really took off and perfected their act into a work of art, showing what "throughness" really means. They won whenever they competed, their victories were always undisputed, and even their competitors from all over Europe kept their fingers crossed when Louisa was on her way to her first individual European championship in Freudenberg three weeks ago. For all the bickering that constantly goes on around dressage arenas everywhere, these two are proved that the much talked-about goal of harmony is possible after all.
Sanneke Rothenberger & Konrad were the silver medallists. Even though she's only fourteen, Sanneke will continue in the Junior division next year -- in Steinfeld, she was the first rider ever to score medals in both the pony and the Junior camp, and to become double-vice-champion.
Victoria Michalke and Rubioso N were the junior rider gold medalists. In Steinfeld, Michalke finally got to show the freestyle she couldn't ride at the European Championships, and scored 76%!
Thea-Felicitas Müller and Highway (one of three horses by Trakehner stallion Hohenstein out of Weltmeyer dams in the Junior division, the others being Louisa Lüttgen's Habitus and Janna Oldekop's Helena,) have been competing successfully this year even though the horse turned blind last year.
2007 European individual test gold medal winning Christin Schütte also claimed gold in the German Young Riders division. Aboard Hohenstaufen (by Hohenstein), Schütte reigned supreme and ranked first in the overall standing.
European Championship German team members Verena van der Linde, Jill de Ridder and Tom Berg were among those whose horses couldn't compete due
to health problems (or the waiting time after medication), but who
wanted to be in Steinfeld to cheer on their team mates anyway.
All photos copyrighted Barbara Schnell
No Reproduction Allowed without Permission/Payment
Related Links
Scores 2007 German Youth Riders Championships
Louisa Luttgen and Team Germany Win the 2007 European Pony Championships
German Junior and Young Riders Team for 2007 European Championships Selected
Luttgen, Keller and Werndl Win 2005 German Dressage Championships
