Austrian Victoria Max-Theurer reclaimed the Manfred Swarovski Trophy after winning the Grand Prix Kur to Music at the 2015 CDI Fritzens on Sunday 28 June 2015. Max-Theurer made her long-awaited show come back on Augustin OLD and captured two trophies on the weekend at the beautifully organized 4* international dressage show at Evelyn and Klaus Haim-Swarovski's Schindlhof in the Austrian Alps.
The 29-year old Max-Theurer and her number one Grand Prix horse Augustin OLD (by August der Starke x Rohdiamant) returned to the show ring after 302 days away from competition. Their last show together was the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France in August 2014. Max-Theurer returned to win the Grand Prix Kur to Music with a whopping 80.825%, referring Isabell Werth and El Santo to a second place with 78.75%.
Max-Theurer also won the Grand Prix with 75.8% on Saturday but according to the Achleiten based rider she rode with the handbrake on. Riding to Italian music, Victoria and Augustin upped the bar in the freestyle. With her GP and Kur score combined, Victoria totalled 156.625 points to reclaim the Manfred Swarovski Trophy, which she also won in 2014. Dorothee Schneider and Showtime were a close second for the trophy with a combined score of 148.107 points.
"I'm extremely happy about my results in such a high class starters' field with riders such as Isabell Werth and Dorothee Schneider," said the 12-time Austrian dressage champion. "I especially want to think all those people who work days, weeks and months here behind the scenes to create the perfect show. When Evelyn and Klaus call on you, all want to come with pleasure. It's no surprise that so many enthusiastic people are here. To ride in front of such an audience is incredibly fun!"
Dorothee Schneider and the 9-year old Hanoverian Showtime (by Sandro Hit x Rotspon) won the Grand Prix Special on Sunday morning. The duo made their Special duo and scored a winning 74.627%.
British WEG team rider Carl Hester was supposed to compete in Fritzens but right before the vet check his new Grand Prix horse Wanadoo developed a hoof abscess and had to return home early. Hester stayed at the competition to be the commentator for the live streaming on Clip My Horse. He described Schneider and Showtime as "an interesting pair with much ambition."
Schneider, who also coaches show host Evelyn Haim-Swarovski, received a special prize for being the most successful rider of the show on several horses.
For more information, visit www.schindlhof.at
Photos © Max Schreiner
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2015 CDI Fritzens
Scores 2015 CDI Fritzens