Livaldo, Faveur EM, Skylight G, Saphir Win 2018 Austrian Warmblood Young Horse Championships

Shows

2018 Austrian Warmblood Young Horse Championships

The youngsters Livaldo, Faveur EM, Skylight G, and Saphir became the winners of the dressage classes at the 2018 Austrian Warmblood Young Horse Championships held in Stadl Paura, Austria, on 19 - 22 September 2018. This was the 35th time that the Austrian Bundeschampionate took place.

In Austria the National Championships for dressage bred horses are categorized slighly differently: two age groups are set up for the dressage horses. The 4 and 5 year olds are grouped together, as well as the 5 year olds with 6-year olds, despite differences in maturity and training in these ages. The Nationals also include two riding horse classes for 3 and 4 year olds.

Livaldo and Faveur EM Win Riding Horse Championship

In the riding horse championship for 3 and 4-year olds the four highest scoring in the preliminary round are test ridden by a guest judge rider. This year those test riders were German Sebastian Horler and Austrian Stefan Peter.

In the 3-year old division two horses placed first and the test rider decided on the actual winner. Stallion Livaldo (by Livaldon) topped the board in the end with a 9.5 and 9.0 from the test rider, after already scoring 8.5 for trot, walk and comformation and 8 for canter and general impression. Livaldo is bred by Johann Rainer and ridden by Stephanie Dearing. Heimo Kendlbacher and Broadmoar's Encore (by Eye Catcher x Londonderry) became the runners-up after receiving 9 for canter and 8.5 from the test rider and totaling 8,36 points. The same amount of points was achieved by the licensed stallion Fabergé EP (by For Romance), who is bred, owner and ridden by Giulia Schwab. The bay stallion got 9.0 and 9.5 from the test riders.

In the 4-year old division Ernst Mayr's stallion Faveur EM (by Foundation x Sandro Hit) aced the class after scoring best marks under the test rider. The stallion got 9.5 for trot, 9 for canter, 8 for walk and 8.5 for conformation. The test riders were thrilled about the rideability and potential of the stallion and rewarded Faveur EM with a 9.5 and 10. He totaled 8.93 points for the victory. Ulrike Prunthaller and Zefferelli van de Fils (by Zack x Literat) were the silver medalists with a total of 8.5 points. Last year's champion Broadmoar’s D’Artagnan (by Destano x Don Diamond) dropped to bronze in the 4-year old division. He was presented by Heimo Kendlbacher.

Skylight G and Saphir Win Dressage Horse Championships

In the group of 4 and 5-year olds, five horses were able to score 8.0 or higher. Skylight G (by Destano) reigned supreme under Barbara Bloderer. Bred by Maria and Franz Gutschy, the black mare scored 8,56 in the finals and earned the Champion's title. The runner up was Ulrike Prunthaller who had also entered Zefferelli van de Fils for this championship division. Bred by Josef Pumberger, Zefferelli achieved 8.38 for a second place. Martin Hauptmann and the liver chestnut Don Frederico’s Wolkentänzer (by Don Frederico) landed third place.

Hauptmann and Don Frederico's Wolkentänzer also competed in the group of five and 6-year olds and with a score of 7.84 in this division he was the reserve champion. The winners, however, were Stephanie Dearing and Saphir (by San Amour). They captured the title with a winning score of 7.90 points. Saphir is bred by Hans-Jorg Gassner. Sabine Panis and Torres GMS (by Tuschinski) finished third.