The 2021 CDI Ludwigswburg set in front of the gorgeous castle Mon Repos kicked off on Thursday 23 September 2021 with an international Prix St Georges class, followed by the Under 25 Intermediaire II. Hubertus Schmidt and Anna Christina Abbelen won those two classes.
Hubertus Schmidt rode Gut Neuenhof's 7-year old Westfalian mare Estelle (by Escolar x Weltmeyer) to victory in the Prix St Georges, scoring 72.500% for the trophy. They edged out Linda Knoll on the former WCYH finalist FBW Fairplay, now a 12-year old (by Furst Hohenstein x Disco Tanzer). The pair placed second with 70.353% and referred Indian Anush Agarwalla on the 14-year old Loro Piano (by Lord Loxley x Rohdiamant) to a third place with 69.412%.
In the Under 25 Intermediaire II, former European Junior Riders' Champion Anna Christina Abbelen booked her second international victory on Susanne Tovek's 14-year old Oldenburg gelding Sam Donnerhall (by Samarant x Donnerhall). The pair posted a winning 70.412%. Brand new European Under 25 champion Raphael Netz brought a new Grand prix horse to Ludwigsburg, Beatrice Burchler-Keller's 11-year old Hanoverian gelding Exclusive BB (by Edward x Donnerschwee) and finished second with 70.147%
Praise for Brand New CDI Ludwigsburg
The International Ludwigsburg Dressage Festival generates joy, curiosity and enthusiasm all around. The dressage arena in front of Monrepos Palace, the white pagodas of the exhibition, the view of the extensive park and the nearby stable tents, green areas and riding arenas are really well received.
A full 25 degrees Celsius and the unique backdrop attracted quite a few onlookers already on Thursday, who could simply sit down on the spectator terrace and admire piaffes, pirouettes and flying changes. This is exactly what organisers Ullrich and Francois Kasselmann, together with the RV Ludwigsburg-Monrepos, had wanted. "It is our goal to keep the location and to organise the Dressage Festival again every year," says Ullrich Kasselmann.
On Birthdays, Conversations and Visions that come true
The commitment came about through a conversation at Hans-Werner Aufrecht's 80th birthday party. There, Dr. Werner Hildenbrandt, Chairman of the RV Ludwigsburg-Monrepos, talked to Ullrich Kasselmann. The topic: to expand the existing dressage event, to make "something bigger". After all, Ludwigsburg was the site of a CHI until 1970.
Kasselmann is always enthusiastic about good ideas, visited the castle and the grounds, and now the club and Horses and Dreams Entertainment GmbH are making a "joint effort". Remarkable: The whole riding club is behind the project and 121 volunteers are involved, coordinated by Harry Blum. He also had to turn down some help. "I did point out to some very young enthusiasts that it makes a lot of sense to attend school on Thursdays and Fridays," Blum laughs at the eagerness to work, which Ullrich Kasselmann roundly admires.
Schneider and Flashback Win Nurnberger Burgpokal Warm Up Class
"I am already very happy with the result," Dorothee Schneider stated with a smile, however: "As a trainer, you must never be satisfied, but always look at how it can be even better."
She will be able to do so on Saturday, when she competes in the International Ludwigsburg Dressage Festival for a place in the NÜRNBERGER BURG-POKAL Final. Then Schneider will also meet the eleven best pairs of the qualification on Thursday, i.e. also Nicole Wego-Engelmeyer (Hagen a.T.W.) and Hubertus Schmidt (Borchen), who took second and third place with Facility (by Furstenball x Diamond Hit) and D'Alessandro (by Don Frederic x Stedinger).
Live streaming is available on www.clipmyhorse.tv.
Photos © Thomas Hellmann
Related Links
Scores: 2021 CDI Ludwigsburg