Ullrich Kasselmann seems quite relaxed about "Horses & Dreams meets Germany” being over: “It's a shame that it will all be over this evening, but I believe we can be satisfied with the running of the event, the visitor numbers and with the sport we have seen here.” The organiser of the 10th Horses & Dreams in Hagen a.T.W., for whom Horses & Dreams “is always like a wonderful holiday”, mentioned with pride to visitor numbers of around 63,000 spectators over five tournament days.
Guests from all over the world, an excellent turnout in the lifestyle exhibition, and smooth organisation pleased Kasselmann as well. “I don't think we can build any bigger”, explained the founder of Horses & Dreams, and noted that there could always be the problem of poor weather.
Hof Kasselmann was once again able to underline its competence in organising international competitions. The question quickly arose as to whether they might consider organising international championships or even the German Championships. Ullrich Kasselmann's replied that "this is an issue that has come up before – but it's difficult. If the FEI asked us, we would look into whether it could work, but championships are always allocated well in advance.” 2005 was an exception – following a last-minute cancellation by Moscow, Hof Kasselmann organised the European Championships in just 14 days – and that cannot have gone unnoticed by the FEI.
British dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer followed up on her victory in the Grand Prix with Mistral Hojris. She also won the Grand Prix Special and, as a result, qualified for the final of the Meggle Champions series. With over 81 percent the three-time World Championship silver medal winner left team-mate Carl Hester and his horse Uthopia behind her.
“I'm really pleased with how it's gone here with Mistral Hojris”, says Bechtolsheimer, who last competed the gelding at the World Cup qualifier in London in December and whose eyes are now set firmly on the European Championships in Rotterdam in the summer. Second place went to team-mate Carl Hester with Uthopia, ahead of Anabel Balkenhol (Münster) on Dablino – both riders achieved over 77 percent.
“I have only ridden in two small shows with Dablino this year,” says Balkenhol, “he is very fresh now, but also a bit more settled and mature.”
The great appeal for the dressage classes and happy participants resulted into a satisfied dressage show manager Dr. Ulf Möller. For Möller and his team, there were compliments galore. Bechtolsheimer and Balkenhol: “We are very spoilt here.”
Photo report by Barbara Schnell - SEE IMAGE GALLERY BELOW
The next few days tons of extra articles and photos are coming from the CDI Hagen. Please be patient as we process over 6,000 photos and write out in depth reports from this wonderful show
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