Germany Notches Fifth Straight Nations Cup Victory in Wellington

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2025 CDIO Wellington

-- FEI press release, Eurodressage report coming on Saturday

- Photos © Eurodressage (this article expresses Eurodressage's' eye-witness account and opinion) - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED / NO SCREEN SHOTS for social media

The result was familiar for Germany as the 2025 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season began Thursday at Wellington's Global Dressage Festival (USA). For a fifth straight occasion, they stood atop the podium.

Germany has certainly backed up their statements when it comes to their prioritization of team competitions. They are the two-time defending series champions and kicked off the 2025 season with another impactful 10 points at the CDIO3* competition.

Germany finished on a team total of 207.022 points. The home nation United States finished second (201.565), followed by Sweden (190.761)—an identical podium to last year's event. The teams of Canada and Australia both got eliminated after one of their three team riders were rung out, one for going off course twice, the other for being out of her depth at this level.

Germany's Fifth Victory

Led by Chef d'Equipe Michael Klimke—who was also a competitor with Harmony's Fado— Team Germany was supported by teammates Evelyn Eger (Tabledance), Felicitas Hendricks (Drombusch OLD), and Lars Ligus (Santiago).

"I'm very proud. We've won the last five years, and I've competed [in the event] for five years and been the chef d'equipe for all five years," Klimke said. "Today my horse was not in the best form, but I was very lucky to have three very good teammates.

"When you ask me what the key to success is, it's teamwork," said Michael Klimke.

The U.S. held the top two places until Eger entered the arena in the third rotation. Leading the way for her nation, she ultimately posted the top score of the competition, receiving a 70.435% for her Grand Prix test with Tabledance, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare. It was a personal best for the combination in their first winter season in Wellington.

"For me personally, the canter work was very good, because I finally got where I wanted to be," Eger shared. "I got the one-tempis clean [after] I struggled with them at our last show. And of course, a highlight is always the pirouettes. This led us to the high score today."

Eger was the first and one of just two athletes to break the 70 percent threshold on the day, but Hendricks came close, despite some unexpected mistakes in her test with the accomplished Drombusch OLD. The pair finished third overall but contributed to the team score in a crucial way with their 69.522% mark.

"I think we were maybe having a couple mistakes here and there in the canter work, and in the first pirouette, we had a little bit of bad luck," Hendricks revealed. "There was a big noise, and he got spooked in the pirouette and wanted to move out of [it]. I was like, 'No, please stay with me! Please stay in the pirouette!' Of course, then finishing that line with a start like that was not easy.

"He's not a spooky horse, so that caught me a little off-guard, because it's not something that usually happens," she added. "But this life with horses—it's all a learning process, and I'm just enjoying every step of the journey. It was a great team experience again."

For Ligus, the Nations Cup marked his first week competing at the FEI Grand Prix level, and he delivered with a competitive test, scoring 67.065%. It was also his first international competition with the 14-year-old gelding, Santiago.

"We brought him over as a sales horse for us, but then I showed him in a national Grand Prix in the last couple of weeks, and he gave me a good feeling and had good results. Then the teammates and people at home asked me if I'd want to ride on the Nations Cup [team], so of course, [I was] really excited," Ligus shared. "You just learn, and I really enjoyed it with this horse today."

The Nation's Cup has remained a priority for Germany due to its emphasis on team planning. For Klimke, that process began with the start of the New Year.

"We watch each other riding from the time the season starts in January. It's about focusing on this [event] as the highlight of the season," he said. "Team spirit is very important, and I think we all have the feeling that we can rely on each other and trust each other."

Family ties

Devon Kane (Vamos) was the highest-scoring American, earning a 67.435%—just ahead of her teammate and husband, Kevin Kohmann (Giulietta, 67.304%). The event marked the first time the couple competed in a Nation's Cup event as teammates.

"It's such an honor to be able to represent the U.S. at any Nation's Cup, Kane said, "but to do so with your husband next to you and cheering for you and riding with you is extremely special."

Kane was the team newcomer after Kohmann, Jennifer Williams (Joppe K), and Erin Nichols (Elian Royale) all competed together at last year's event.

"I got my [new team] jacket about 45 minutes before I got on, and I asked Kevin to put it on me in the tack room when we were getting ready," Kane said. "Being able to ride on a Nation's Cup with my husband is a fantastic feeling and a real testament, I think to our commitment to the sport and to helping each other and helping our team do well."

Up next

Germany has assumed another early lead in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ standings with 10 points, followed by the United States with 8 points and Sweden with 7 points. The season picks up next at Compiegne (FRA) on 03 May 2025.