Schindlhof Debutant Frederic Wandres Dances to Freestyle Victory, Takes Swarovski Challenge Trophy

There were full grandstands despite rainy weather on the final day of the 26th edition of the Manfred & Hilde Swarovski Memorial Tournament in Fritzens, Austria. 

Three days of the restart show after 2 years of pandemic break was a total success at the Schindlhof and everybody got their money's worth. After world-class rounds from Dorothee Schneider, Victoria Max-Theurer and company in the Grand Prix Special, the show came to a conclusion with the Grand Prix Kur to Music in which 13 pairs from 8 nations enchanted the Alpenarena audience with their musical freestyles at the foot of the Karwendel Mountains.

Wandres Hot to Trot

First and foremost Frederic Wandres with Hot Hit OLD who not only won the freestyle with a score of 78.64 percentage points, but also the overall ranking of the Manfred & Hilde Swarovski Challenge Prize (with 152.901 points from the GP and GP Freestyle, just ahead of Dorothee Schneider with 152.030 points from the GP and GP Special). The German Vice-Champion thus cleaned up big right at his first appearance at Schindlhof.

Wandres: "When I was an apprentice at the Kasselmann farm in 2007 and unloaded the horses that had come from the Schindlhof, I would never have dreamed of being able to win here myself. When I drove up the mountain road here for the first time this week, I could hardly take my eyes off the fantastic mountain scenery. I am just very, very happy that it went so well with our Hottie (note: stable name of Hot Hit OLD), who is still a bit green behind the ears with his 11 years. And since I can only take home this beautiful Swarovski crystal trophy after three overall victories, I definitely have to come back. That's a new goal of mine."

Voglsang in Pursuit

Second place in the music freestyle went, as in the Grand Prix, to Austria's Renate Voglsang and her one-eyed Fürst Ferdinand - this time with an impressive 77.84 percent. "He has never presented himself like he did here at Schindlhof. I knew he had it in him and that even more was possible. I am just very happy that we were finally able to show that," cheered the Olympic rider, who lives at Gut Fasanenhöhe on Lake Chiemsee.

Voglsang praises her 13-year-old sport partner, who had to undergo a tooth operation 2 years ago and now an eye operation in January: "He is a soul of a horse and he always wants to do everything right. In all gaits and lessons he is very strong, he actually has no weaknesses. That's why we composed a freestyle with a special music for him, where he can show everything he's got."

As far as the World Cup is concerned, Voglsang remains relaxed: "We are included in the World Cup squad as a reserve. If the Austrian team needs us, we will be there. Austria is currently in the fortunate position of having some very, very good rider-horse pairs. Ferdinand is only 13, we still have a lot of time and a lot of room to go."

Top Five

The German Stefanie Schatz-Weihermüller and C'est La Vie (3rd place with 76.5%) and the Swiss Gilles Ngovan with Zigzag (4th place, 75.36) also showed impressive musical freestyles.

Diana Porsche from Salzburg followed in 5th place with Douglas after a successful round that was scored with 74.635 percent. Stefan Lehfellner from Upper Austria was also on his way to a high score at the beginning of his freestyle before the hot-blooded Roberto Carlos MT lost his concentration but still managed to score 72.245 percent and 7th place in the world-class field.

Vaulting Entertainment

Also the intermission program between Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle with the five-time World Champion in Vaulting, the Tyrolean Jasmin Lindner, who retired in September 2021, was outstanding.

The trained physiotherapist showed the program with which she had won her last individual title in Budapest in August 2021. The 27-year-old then also received support from her vaulting group Pill, for which Lindner now acts as coach.

In the traditional hat competition, the participants once again showed a great deal of creativity in 2022. In the end, Steffanie Jesse from Nuremberg, the artist Patricia Karg from Thaur in Tyrol and Simone Marx from Wattens were allowed to take the honorary ride of the winners in the historic carriage of the Fröschl family.

Text by Daniel Winkler, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Max Schreiner

Related Links
Scores: 2022 CDI Fritzens
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2022 CDI Fritzens