Neumayer Returns After Two Years with Quadruple Win at 2026 CDI-W Pilisjaszfalu

Shows

2026 CDI Achleiten

After more than a two-year break from international competition Austrian Grand Prix rider Astrid Neumayer made her return to the CDI ring in Pilisjaszfalu on 19 - 21 June 2026. She made her come back count as she won four classes on two horses.

Four Trophies

At the CDI-W Pilisjaszfalu the 44-year old Neumayer saddled the 12-eyar old Oldenburg gelding Bamboo (by Beradini x Rubinstein x Freiherr), bred by Ulli Kasselmann, for the big tour and the 11-year old KWPN bred Knock-Out (by Expression x Ferro) for the for the medium tour.

With Bamboo she won the 3* Grand Prix with 70.109% and topped the Special with 69.830% in a field of five riders. Aboard Knock-Out she was the sole competitor in the medium tour but posted strong results of 73.039% in the Intermediaire A and 71.294% in the Intermediaire II.

"It feels very good to be back, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead with all my horses," Astrid told Eurodressage.

Two-Year Break

Neumayer attributed her long absence from the CDI ring to a personal injury.

"At the end of 2023 I broke my left wrist and, unfortunately, the healing process was quite complicated," she told Eurodressage. "A step formed in the joint, which could only be partially removed surgically in July. Because of that, I was unable to compete for quite a long time. Even now, the wrist is still somewhat restricted in its mobility, so coming back to sport has definitely taken time and patience."

Astrid runs her own Gestut Pramwaldhof in Austria. With no shortage in horse stock, Neumayer is spoilt for choice what to ride but took her time to return to the arena.

"Having a barn full of horses meant I was still fully involved every day, and during that time I was also able to establish my sales and training stable even more," she explained. "For me it was important not to rush the process and to come back only when I felt physically able to do the horses justice in the ring again."

Looking Ahead

Neumayer got help producing Bamboo and Knock-Out up the levels.

Bamboo was first competed in Germany by Manuel Bammel in 2020. He returned to the ring in 2022 with Sina Aringer, while as of 2023 Matthias Bouten, who rode at Pramwaldhof on a half-time basis, began showing the horse at small tour level and produced him to Grand Prix. In 2026 Kura Laura Soddemann showed the horse at one competitionin Mettmann at big tour level before Astrid took over the ride.

"Bamboo is a horse I’m really excited about," she said about the gelding she bought from Kasselmann as a 3-year old. "He is still relatively inexperienced, but he has already shown a huge amount of quality and talent for the higher levels. He is a big, elegant horse with a lot of natural ability. What I particularly like about him is that he combines quality with the feeling that there is still a lot more to come once he gains more experience and confidence in the ring. The plan with him is to keep developing him carefully, step by step, and to continue giving him the time he needs to grow into the sport and fulfil his potential."

Neumayer schooling at the CDI-W Pilisjaszfalu

Knock-Out was sourced at Helgstrand Dressage in the winter of 2021-2022. He was first competed by Neumayer nationally in September 2025 at small tour level.

"Knock-Out is a very special horse because he combines quality, rideability and a really lovely character," she said. "He has a great willingness to work and collect, and he is a very uncomplicated horse in daily training, which makes him a pleasure to ride and develop. The plan is to keep building him carefully to Grand Prix. At the same time, he is also a very exciting breeding stallion, so he is an important horse for us in more than one way."