Showtime Is Back, Franziskus Makes CDI Big Tour Debut at 2017 CDI Munich Indoor

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2017 CDI Munich Indoor

Twenty combinations appeared at the starting line of the 2017 CDI Munich Indoor competition on 8 - 12 November 2017. While the event was not one of the biggest for dressage riders, it gained importance because of the come back of Dorothee Schneider's 2016 Rio Olympic team horse Showtime. In addition Ingrid Klimke made her CDI big tour debut aboard the 9-year old Franziskus.

The 2017 CDI Munich Indoor featured two big tour divisions, the special and freestyle tour. Dorothee Schneider and Gabriele Kippert's 11-year old Showtime FRH (by Sandro Hit x Rotspon) had their last show in Salzburg in December 2016 after which the bay gelding sustained an injury. Eleven months later, the Olympic team gold medal winner returned to outstanding form in Munich and scored a winning 79.280% in the Grand Prix and 81.137% in the Grand Prix Special.

Schneider edged out Ingrid Klimke on the 9-year old Rhinelander mare Geraldine (by Furst Grandios x Tolstoi) in the Grand Prix. Owned by Ulrich Zeising and Canadian Faith Berghuis, the highly talented Geraldine made her international senior Grand Prix debut in Munich and scored 72.520%. In the Grand Prix Special Catherine Hadded-Staller and Rowan O'Riley's 11-year old Oldenburg mare Semper Fidelis (by Sir Donnerhall x Welt Hit II) were second with 71.745%.

"I did not expect to score over 80% right at our first show," said Schneider who felt an obvious relief over the successful come back of Showtime. "Compared to the Grand Prix he was even more on my aids today in the Special and the two, three small mistakes which happened show that there is still room for improvement. The feeling this horse gives me is gigantic. It's total goosebumps. I'm so happy that he's healthy, that he works with me and that he felt well here. I've been riding him since he was a 3-year old and he's always so well on my side. We are simply good team together."

Ingrid Klimke on Franziskus

In the Freeestyle tour, Ingrid Klimke steered Wilhelm Holkenbrink's 9-year old Hanoverian stallion Franziskus (by Fidertanz x Alabaster) to victory in the Grand Prix with 71.620%. The pair certainly received a vote of confidence from the judges despite the horse's passage lacking collection and the piaffe being wide behind. Klimke and Franziskus went on to win the Kur to Music riding to music by Adele with 75.800%. Former German Under 25 champion Franziska Stieglmaier and her own 12-year old Bavarian bred Lukas (by Lagiatos x Wenckstern) scored 70.340% in the Grand Prix and 73.300% in the freestyle to finish second twice.

"Franziskus was top class and was super focused," said Klimke after the freestyle, the only dressage class able to fill seats in Munich. "His freestyle is very difficult and he really was on my side and give me a good feeling."