Blue Hors Veneziano Wins 2018 Louisdor Cup Finals for Developing Grand Prix Horses

Danish Daniel Bachmann Andersen and the 8-year old Blue Hors Veneziano became the winners of the 2018 Louisdor Cup Finals, the German Developing Grand Prix Horse Championship, at the CDI Frankfurt on Sunday 16 December 2017.

Twelve combinations qualified for this German Developing Grand Prix Horse Championships this spring and summer show season, but only ten competed in the Finals in Frankfurt, of which two were not original finalists. 

Four qualified combinations combinations were a no-show in Frankfurt: Hubertus Schmidt/Chrysler (because the horse sold), Emma Hindle/Diesel, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on Ferdinand BB, and Isabell Werth/Quintus. Two of these combinations were substituted by Juliane Brunkhorst-Burfeind (Devanto) and Matthias Kempkes (Stella), even though combinations such as Becks/Damon's Satelite, Waldmann/Fiderdance, Oelrich/Desario, and Schmidt/Escorial had higher qualification scores than Burfeind or Kempkes. 

At the Finals in Frankfurt it was a Danish duo that wrote history by winning the German Championships (which are contested in Germany but open to riders from all nations). Bachmann Andersen and the Blue Hors stud bred and owned Oldenburg stallion Veneziano (by Vivaldi x Donnerhall) topped the board with a 75.140% score.  The class was judged by a 5*-panel including Ghislain Fouarge, Peter Holler, Evi Eisenhardt,  Christof Umbach, and Katrina Wüst. Two of them ranked Bachmann first, the others had him in second place. The big score discrepancy made the difference for the victory as the pair had scores ranging from 73.300% to a whopping 78.400%.

"Veneziano is a very special horse for me. I have been riding him since he was four and I know him very well," said Bachmann Andersen. "He always fights for me, even when he still lacks a bit of strength and relaxation." It was Daniel's first time competing in Frankfurt and he liked the show very much, as he also won the Grand Prix on Blue Hors Zepter. "I have to say that this show is simply fun. The win in the Grand Prix on Friday was already a highlight. The atmosphere is simply superb."

Benjamin Werndl and Flora Keller's 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Famoso OLD (by Farewell III x Welt Hit II) were the runners-up. The pair won the warm-up round with  76.581%, and in the Finals they scored 74.600%. Three judges had them first and two second with marks well within range: 73.000 - 75.200%. Werndl has been riding Famoso little over two years. In June 2016 Keller bought the gelding from Jochen Arl.

"I probably lacked that last bit of sovereignty and Famoso that bit of experience to bring it home," said Werndl about his second place. "Still I'm incredibly proud of our development the last few months and I'm looking forward to our future. I'm grateful to Mrs Keller to give me the ride on this incredible horse."

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe and her 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Destiny OLD (by Desperados x Sandro Hit) landed third place on 73.120%. The pair has been together little over a year. The Sprehe family acquired Destiny from Austrian Sandra Nuxoll in March 2017.

Photos © LL-foto

Related Links
Louisdor Cup Qualifiers for 2018 Announced

Previous Winners
TSF Dalera BB Wins 2017 Louisdor Cup Finals for Developing Grand Prix Horses
Sammy Davis Jr Wins the 2016 Louisdor Cup Finals for German Developing Grand Prix Horses
Rothenberger and Cosmo Win 2015 Louisdor Cup Finals' Warm Up Class at 2015 CDI Frankfurt
Brigitte Wittig and Balmoral W Win 2013 Louisdor Cup
Thomas Wagner and Very Keen Win 2012 Louisdor Cup Finals
Diva Royal Wins 2011 Tesch Inkasso Cup for Upcoming Grand Prix Horses
Werth's El Santo NRW Wins 2010 Medien Cup Finals
Dablino Wins  2009 Medien Cup Finals
Carabas Wins 2008 Medien Cup Finals
Floresco Wins 2007 HKM Upcoming Grand Prix Horse Finals