Dressage Gala Heroldsberg, Bavaria, Germany

One of Germany's most outstanding and interesting Natinal Grand Prix turnaments is staged in the Bavarian city of Heroldsberg during the peak summer months each year. Here, the top classes, Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle, are held at night under floodlight. Traditionally, spectators are seated in the stands and the grass right next to the ring, the atmosühere is more than "electric" and this event, even though ir has great purses offered to the riders, attracts on the brave and seasoned riders due to its special setting and the nerve it requires of horse and rider.

In 2008, the big tour classes saw a number of Trakehners entered, among them the approved Insterburg TSF (by EH Hohenstein - Giorgio Armani), who was not only showing his very first Grand Prix ever, but he had certainly never seen a dressage ring like this one before. His long-time rider, Carola Koppelmann, is one of Germany's most talented and experienced younger riders and truly a joy to watch, as her horses exhibit natural elevation and joy in their work that are testimony to great horse"woman"ship on Carola's part. Her second horse in Heroldsberg 2008 was Hinnerk TSF (by EH Buddenbrock - EH Ravel), who is owned by Germany's Dressage Team Coach Holger Schmezer.

Seasoned "veteran" and former Heroldsberg champion EH Solero TSF (by EH Hyllos - Polargeist) and his long-time rider Anja Plönzke also came back this year, and more Trakehner blood was represented by the part-Trakehners Herzruf's Erbe (Rhineland, by EH Herzruf/Trak. - Caletto I), Highway (Bavarian, by Habicht/Trak.) and Clinten (Hanoverian, by EH Caprimond).

Typical for Heroldsberg: competition and show, hand in hand

Results

To say the Trakehners entered in the event did well is quite an understatement. At the end of the Gala, the big classes were dominated by Trakehner blood and that makes us very proud. Thanks to our long-time partner Jutta Bauernschmitt, we're able to bring you the following photos of Trakehners and part-Trakehners that competed and placed. Congratulations to everybody for a job well done - and especially to Carola for presenting her two Trakehners in such a lovely way!

The first round in the Grand Prix was won by Ulla Salzgeber with Herzruf's Erbe (70.458%). Second place in that class went to EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke (70.25%), and the 4th place was won by Grand Prix debuting Insterburg TSF with Carola Koppelmann.
The Inter II as first round of the "Stars of Tomorrow" event was won by Carola Koppelmann with Hinnerk TSF (66.667%). The two placed 3rd in the finals (64.650%). On top of that, Carola won the price for the youngest horse entered in the Grand Prix and took home a special award for the most relaxed and skillful warm- up!
The Grand Prix Freestyle under floodlight was won by crowd favorites EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke (74.95%) and third place in this class was won by Insterburg TSF/Carola Koppelmann. What a debut in the big tour for this beautiful stallion! 4th place in that class was won by Highway and Ukrainian rider Olga Klimko (70,10%).

The champions of the Grand Prix Special were once again Herzruf's Erbe and Ulla Salzgeber (74%), a pair that experts claim will have a big say in the future German team nominations. Herzruf's Erbe was acquired by Salzgeber at the CHIO Sales, the top riding horse auction held each year during the CHIO Aachen competition. Second place in the Special was won by Insterburg TSF and Carola Koppelmann, 5th place by EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke nnd 6th place by Highlight with Olga Klimko. Also placed (9th): Clinten by EH Caprimond and Nicole Glaser-Käppeler.

Insterburg TSF and Carola Koppelmann

Herzruf's Erbe and Ulla Salzgeber	Hinnerk TSF and Carola Koppelmann
Highway and Olga Klimko	EH Solero TSF and Anja Plönzke