Hallo from Westphalia
This summer I've had the good fortune to be spending a bit more time in my native Germany. After visiting family and friends, I went to the CHIO in Aachen to get inspired. I watched the CDI 5* GP. Jessica Bredow-Werndl's Dalera was the first horse on that day who looked like she truly enjoyed the performance and showed off a bit on her own. Dorothee Schneider had Showtime on her seat and it showed in that extra bit of relaxation and lightness. And it is always, always, always a treat to see Charlotte Dujardin sit on a horse. Her seat is a class of its own (#lifegoals). We also saw Steffen Peters come over to visit with his mom in the audience after his ride. Having read the story behind his journey to Aachen this year made witnessing this special moment the more touching.
I went on to look for fancy dressage ponies and did I find them! I test rode a 3-yo and 4-yo still at the breeder's barn and was more than impressed. They were happy, well adjusted, age appropriately trained with a maturity and willingness beyond their years. They were lovely movers too and I would love to have either of them in my barn. They can definitely do the FEI with continued correct training. But mostly, they simply put a big smile on your face, whether you handle them on the ground or sit atop.
Next I made my way to Borken, Westphalia, to visit a good friend who is the head trainer and Pferdewirschaftsmeisterin at the Breeding, Riding, and Driving Club (ZRFV) Borken, also home club of the famous international jumper rider Markus Ehning. The facility has two gorgeous indoor arenas as well as an outdoor dressage and jumping arena along with large pastures, turnouts and a walker, all right by a lovely lake. (And for all the American readers: The board there is well under 300 EUR per month....). My beautiful apartment was located on a small farm about a mile from the barn amid corn fields and more small farms, pretty much all housing several horses. Apart from occasional visits of some very large and thirsty mosquitos, it was the most peaceful and relaxing setting imaginable. Downtown was just a couple of miles down the road the other direction, all easily reachable by bike via beautiful and safe bike lanes through the fields and on part of the sidewalks. Everyone here rides bikes and horses it seems.
I've had the privilege to work with some wonderful horses and ponies and also teach some very talented young ladies. It's been my pleasure to also hop on some of the sweet school horses to give them a few "PT" rides -- stretchy, forward, and over the back. As a side note: The school horses, as do all the other four-hooved residents at the barn, enjoy daily turnout with friends in large fields. I was welcomed incredibly warmly by everyone and can't thank the owners enough for their trust and hospitability.
We also went to see the final qualifier for the Bundeschampionat of 5 and 6 yo ponies in Munster-Hahndorf. The ponies receive marks for walk, trot, canter, submisison/throughness, and overall impression for a final mark. In order to qualify for the Bundeschampionat, they had to have achieved three scores of 7.5 or higher. Braving the heat (Germany beat its all time heat record with over 107 degrees during those days, but cooling stations with fans spraying water were everywhere along with ample shade) were some truly spectacular ponies and many cute ones who didn't stand a chance in this tough competition. I personally fancied a Totlias son. I found the judging tough but fair, and the bar to be high.
The horse, barn, and competition densitiy in this area of Germany is absolutely incredible. From the highest levels of international sport (the region is home to Helen Langenhanenberg, Markus Ehning, and Ingrid Klimke to name just a few) to kids enjoying lunge line lessons, horses are woven into the fabric and economy of the area, an infrastructure California (and the rest of the US) can only dream of.
Next I'll be headed to Vienna to visit the cradle of classical dressage: The SRS and Piber, as well as soak in some private training with a Bereiter form the SRS. That of course will warrant a separate article.
