Mate Garai Braves the Elements to Win Big on Sportpferde Galleria Horses at 2023 CDI Neu-Anspach

Shows

2023 CDI Neu-Anspach

Hungarian Mate Garai braved the elements at the "Winternationale" international dressage competition at Wintermühle equestrian center in Neu-Anspach on 27 -30 July 2023 to win big aboard three of Sporpferde Galleria's dressage horses.

The rainy weather and pond-like puddles on the dressage arena at the CDI Neu-Anspach did not dampen Maté's spirit and he put his best foot forward to post outstanding scores on the leader board.

"Even if the weather was not the best all the time i really enjoyed being here and the show was very well organised," he commented.

Principle Rider for Sportpferde Galleria

The 31-year old Garai entered familiar turf when he trailered three of Sportpferde Galleria's horses to Neu-Anspach. He has worked as a stable rider for Arnold Winter for years, so the Hungarian was well acquainted with the venue.

Garai, who competed at three European Pony Championships before heading to the 2007 and 2008 European Junior Riders Championships on Julie de Deken's Romero (by Ritual x Freiherr), knew a decade ago a life with horses would be his professional path.

After being as an assistant rider at Wintermühle in Neu-Anspach, the young man moved into the principle rider's role at Sportpferde Galleria, a company founded in 2022 and seeking top talented young horses. With 32 horses in development, the company purchased its own sales and training facility in Mönchengladbach of which the full renovation is almost completed.

Garai made his international show debut on the Galleria horses at the start of July in Deauville, France. The CDI Neu-Anspach was his second time out. "I'm so thankful for the great horses and the support of the team at Galleria Sporthorses," Maté stated.

Winning Mood

In Neu-Anspach Garai was in the winning mood, booking two victories, two second places, a third and a sixth spot on three horses.

Especially in the young horses classes, Maté was able to set his hand to dominating the competition. Aboard Galleria's Summerville (by Sezuan x Diamond Hit) he was third in the preliminary test on 80.60% and won the Finals test with a whopping 89.40%. The Oldenburg bred Summerville was competed last year by Spaniard Manuel Dominguez at the 2022 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo, where he finished 15th in the Finals.

With the developing Prix St Georges horse Galleria's DeLaurentis FRH (by DeLorean x Stedinger), Garai contested the 7-year old division. It was the horse's first international competition in his life and the pair placed second in the preliminary test with 80.361% and won the Finals test with 79.157%

Leap Forward

Riding for Sportpferde Galleria has opened many doors for Garai who after years in saddle of sales horses and national shows has now finally made his international debut at the highest level, Grand Prix.

Aboard Galleria's licensed Danish warmblood stallion Vincent Maranello (by Zack x Future Cup) he premiered at GP level in Deauville and made a huge leap forward in Neu-Anspach, finishing sixth in the Grand Prix with 66.652% and second in the Special with 67.255%.

"I had the best weekend at the Wintermühle," Garai explained. "All horses gave me super rides. It was our first show together with Delaurentis and first S-class for him. Summerville had a third place because he was at first a little bit shy with the water (in the arena), but then he produced an amazing 89,4% and first place. Vincent gives me from test to test a better feeling, we are improving together every time."

Bundeschampionate Qualifier

The 2023 CDI Neu-Anspach also featured several national level classes including an important Bundeschampionate qualifier on 29 July.

Garai's assistant rider Charlotte Tollhopf won the 6-year old dressage horse class aboard Galleria's Fabajo (by Fürst Belissaro x Wolkentanz) on a score of 8.2. The Hanoverian gelding got 8 for walk, canter, and submission and 8.5 for trot and general impression.

Tollhopf also piloted the green Oldenburg Fausto OLD (by Fürstenball x Totilas) to a 6th place in the 5-year old division, putting important mileage and experienced on this diamond in the rough.