Fabienne Lutkemeier Wins the 2013 Hamburg Dressage Derby

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2013 CDI Hamburg

The youngest rider in the final of the 2013 Hamburg Dressage Derby became the winner of the coveted blue ribbon: Fabienne Lütkemeier, a 23 year-old student from Paderborn, triumphed in the final with horse change ahead of Olympic rider Anabel Balkenhol and two-time German Professional Riders Champion Bianca Kasselmann.

The young winner, who was competing for the first time in the German Dressage Derby, said: “I’ve been really jittery – even this morning.” However the nerves may have been even greater for her mother and trainer Gina Capellmann-Lütkemeier. “I really enjoyed it and as soon as you actually sit on the horse, all the fuss floats away,” said Fabienne, while her fellow competitors nodded in agreement.

Anabel Balkenhol's horse Diamonds Forever won the horse ranking in the German Dressage. “I am very proud," laughed Balkenhol who has only been riding “Diamond” for a year and a half. Owner Kathrin Gericke had good reason to be pleased.

Bianca Kasselmann also found the action in the dressage arena at this historic Hamburg event exciting and “simply great”. The grand presentation ceremony in the main arena was enjoyed by all the riders. “In this setting you really do get goose-bumps,” said Kasselmann.

The Hamburg Dressage Derby also featured a derby class for FEI pony riders. This year it was won by Isabeau Schartmann from Beesten, Germany. “I didn’t really believe it at first, it only became real when I wore the oak wreath in the grand arena,” gasped Isabeau Schartmann. The 16-year old was competing for the very first time in the Pony Derby in Hamburg and won the competition in the finals with pony change. “I was really flustered because I just wasn’t expecting it," said the rider who is in her last year as a pony rider.

Kathleen Keller, who won the Hamburg Dressage Derby in 2011, now dominated the Under 25 derby on her second horse, the 9-year old Lord. The 23-year old Kathleen topped the leader board and referred Anna Lena Kracht and Marie Theres Bahn to a second and third place. Keller's Grand Prix derby winner Wonder FRH is currently recovering from an injury sustained in the paddock last weekend. "All our horses regularly go into the field and rarely injure themselves," said Keller about Wonder's condition. "This is just bad luck.

Show organizer Volker Wulff was delighted to be able to tick off the always slightly problematic issue of horse hanges in the Derby, as many of the riders prefer to spare their top horses. Balkenhol, for instance, saved Dablino from it and chose to ride Diamonds Forever in the final, for instance. “We had a fantastic final with really super riders and horses. The issue of modus operandi was a small one. And when I watch the pony riders and the riders in the U25 final, then I am certain that in the future these riders will all comment on how exciting and rewarding the horse exchange is.”