The Medien Cup, a show circuit for upcoming Grand Prix-horses, is set to return during the 2009 show season in Germany.
In April this competition series heads into its second season and the will be the same as in in 2008. Horses and Dreams in Hagen will host the opening event for this Grand Prix-series for young horses. From April 23 – 26, top-class and approved competitors will meet top-class youngsters.
The series will continue at the Whitsun Tournament in Wiesbaden (May 29 - June 1), at the Palace Grounds Tournament in Mönchengladbach (July 9 - 12) and at the Dressage Festival in Heroldsberg (July 30 - August 2). From August 20 to 23, all champions will meet in Münster for the Finals. The twelve best duos of all four qualifying competitions will be competing against each other.
All qualifying events of the Medien Cup-series and of course the finals will be broadcast live on the Internet on www.cpm24.tv. Experts will comment on all rides and there will be interviews with the riders. Equestrian sport will become an emotional experience on www.mediencup.com: with thrilling transparency, exclusive background information and a direct contact with riders and judges.
In 2007, the German National Equestrian Federation started a pilot project for eight- to ten-year-old horses and the feedback from riders, judges and spectators was obvious: Such a series was still missing as a fixture on the calendar of events in Germany. In 2008, Medien Cup celebrated its debut with championship riders like Ellen Schulten-Baumer and Isabell Werth participating. “We have been waiting for such a series for a long time,” five-times Olympic champion Isabell Werth said.
The system of the first year was excellent and therefore, the same will apply for 2009: The three best duos of each of the four qualifying competitions are allowed to compete at the final. And the dressage test will be the same: The German National Equestrian Federation has developed a new test especially for the Grand Prix-series for young dressage horses. The movements are the same as in a normal Grand Prix, only the order and quantity of movements and the number of required steps in the piaffe are different.
Christoph Hess, head of the instruction department of the German National Equestrian Federation, is one of the initiators of the Grand Prix-series for young horses: “With this tour we have created a new highlight for young dressage horses on their way into international dressage sport.”
Last year’s champion, Carabas under Oliver Luze, is a perfect example: Shortly after his victory at the Medien Cup-final, Carabas was sold as a perfect championship horse to the Danish top rider Andreas Helgstrand.
Related Links
German Equestrian Federation Creates HKM Upcoming Grand Prix Horse Show Circuit
Twelve Horses to the 2007 HKM Upcoming Grand Prix Horse Finals in Paderborn
Photo Report CDI Hagen - 2008 Medien Cup Upcoming Grand Prix Horse Qualifier