Thiago GS and Kjaerholm's Fendi Win 2023 Otto Lörke Prize

Dressage

Germany

Young Grand Prix horses Thiago GS and (Kjaerholm's) Fendi became the recipients of the 2023 Otto Lörke prize at the 2023 CDI-W Stuttgart on 19 November 2023.

The Otto Lörke prize is annually bestowed upon the most successful rising Grand Prix horses in Germany of the year. The prize is awarded to Grand Prix horses between the ages of 8 - 10. The horse, trainer and owner receive special recognition from the German Olympic Equestrian Committee (DOKR) and Liselott Schindling Foundation.

This year the Otto Lörke Prize was awarded for the 376th time. Previous winners of the prize are Satchmo, Bonaparte, Elvis VA, Chacomo, Farbenfroh, Rusty, Grunox, Gigolo, Goldstern, Rembrandt, Bella Rose, Showtime FRH, and Quantaz.

Thiago GS

Thiago GS is a 10-year old Oldenburg stallion by Totilas out of Wahajama (by Warkant). He is bred by Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff.

Under Matthias Rath, the black stallion won team silver at the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck and picked up sixteen international placings at Grand Prix level.

"For us, the whole year with Thiago was of course very emotional. Totilas and Wahajama combined in one horse - that's just absolutely special," said Rath" Especially when I think about the European Championships, he threw his heart into the arena for me. He really is a family horse. And now for the second time in a row, after last year with Destacado, to win the Otto Lörke Prize here. That's really special."

Together with his father, Linsenhoff's husband Klaus Martin Rath, Matthias is responsible for training the stallion.

Kjaelholm's Fendi

(Kjaerholm's) Fendi is a 9-year old Danish warmblood gelding by Franklin out of Kjaerholm's Dublet (by Diamond). He is bred by

Under Sönke Rothenberger he has competed in six international Grand Prix classes between 2022 and 2023. He won three of them. He is also the 2022 Louisdor Cup winner and won silver at the 2023 German Dressage Championships

“When I climb into Fendi’s saddle, I just feel good,” said Rothenberger. "Sometimes I get goosebumps during the ride when I realize how much this horse gives. This award has a higher significance for me than most tests or successes. This is a very special award, even when you see which horses have already received the Otto Lörke Prize, and I am really proud of Fendi and the whole team who have already contributed to its successes."

Rothenberger trains the horse with the help of his parents, Sven and Gonnelien Rothenberger. In 2015 Sönke's semi-retired Cosmo won the Otto Lörke prize.