Look Who's Back: Katharina Wünschek

Dressage

Austria

After a four year absence from the national competition ring Austrian dressage rider Katharina Wünschek has made her come back to the arena.

The 38-year old Katharina now competes under her married name, Max-Theurer, as she is married to Johannes Max-Theurer, the brother of Austrian Olympian Victoria Max-Theurer.

From Youth Classes to Grand Prix

Wünschek grew up in a horsey family with her mom Diana owning Gutenhof in Himberg, Austria.

Katharina first made her mark as was an Austrian Junior/young riders team member between 2005 and 2009 aboard the Hanoverian Atoutprix (by Aalborg x Grenadier). The pair competed at the 2005 and 2006 European Junior Riders Championships, finishing 21st in the individual test and 11th in the kur a year later. She then showed at three consecutive European Young Riders Championships between 2007 and 2009. In 2007 she finished 36th in the individual test with Atoutprix. In 2008 she rode Rubicell (by Rubinstein x Lord Liberty) and in 2009 Don Aurelio (by Don Larino x Aurel) was her partner. She was 30th and 26th at the Euros.

At the 2011 European Youth Championships as
part of the Austrian officials delegation

A three-year break from CDI showing followed and Katharina returned in 2012 at small tour level with Don Aurelio. In 2013 she showed Quandu (by Quando Quando x Corsar) at small tour.

Between 2014 and 2016 Wünschek began riding Max-Theurer horses: Salieri OLD (by Sandro Hit x Dakota II) and Amusant OLD (by Alabaster x Absatz) up to Grand Prix level. Her last CDI was in June 2016 in Achleiten with Amusant.

The Come Back

Wünschek has been absent from international showing for 10 years but continued nationally until 2022. On the weekend of 10 - 13 September 2026 she returned.

"I had almost forgotten how much fun it all is," said Katharina Max-Theurer. "After a career change, maternity leave, several fractures, and surgeries, everything finally fell into place for me again, and we were able to get started."

Katharina rode Victoria Max-Theurer's 12-year old hanoverian bred Sapperlot VMT (by Scuderia x Lauries Crusador xx) at a home show at Gutenhof in the Prix St Georges and finished second with 69,694%

Katharina studied graphic design and media management at New Design University and did a Master in cross-media management at the Leipzig School of Media. Since 2020 Katharina works as a consultant for the Chemical Manufacturing company Westfalen AG & Co. KG.