Wiener Neustadt, Austria – October 08, 2023 – The German top trio of the Bemer Riders Tour, Patrick Stühlmeyer (GER), Michael Viehweg (GER) and Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) traveled to Wiener-Neustadt with one fixed goal: to defend or improve their position in the current ranking. All three made this plan on the fifth stage of the Winners’ Tournament in Münster, but only Dreher did it work 100 percent
Dreher and the experienced chestnut gelding, who have already won many major prizes, completed the second round of the seventh special test without any mistakes and in 34.67 seconds for the win in the €52,600 Bemer Riders Tour Grand Prix of Sportland Lower Austria CSI 3*.
“I came here specifically to increase my points. My horse has been jumping really well all year round. I only rode two jumps in Barcelona last week so that he was fresh for here and at this tournament I only rode one test before the Grand Prix. It was simply ideal planning!” Seven couples qualified for the second round, including Michael Viehweg and Hans-Dieter Dreher, who had previously been second and third in the tour ranking.
“I looked at the screen with one eye and knew what I had to do in the victory lap. Jur is a very fast rider, but I got a really good lap. Now we’ll take a little break and then we’ll continue,” said Dreher. “He jumped brilliantly again today and made it easy for me as a rider,” said Hans-Dieter Dreher, praising his sports partner Vestmalle des Cotis, who gave him his second stage win this year.
This meant that they narrowly relegated the winner of the qualification, the Dutchman Jur Vrieling (NED) on Griffin van de Heffinck, to second place (35.94).
Third place also went to Germany as Sophie Hinners (GER) and Thelma Hastak were clean in 36.60 seconds.
Really Good Sport
“A great audience, you got a few more seconds out of it,” the winner “Hansi” Dreher also paid tribute to the visitors. Around 30,000 enthusiastic equestrian sports fans visited the CSI Arena Nova, which took place as part of the ‘Speaking of Horses’ trade fair, and saw some really good sport. Organizer Roland Pulsinger emphasized the enthusiasm of his compatriots: “If we can welcome such great riders and see such great performances, then that makes us even happier.” Conclusion on the weekend: The Bemer Riders Tour has lost none of its excitement in its 22nd year.
Final Results – €52,600 Bemer Riders Tour Grand Prix of Sportland Lower Austria CSI 3* – 1.55m over Two Rounds
1) Hans Dieter Dreher (GER) & Vestmalle des Cotis – 0 / 0 – 34.67
2) Jur Vrieling (NED) & Griffin van de Heffinck – 0 / 0 – 35.94
3) Sophie Hinners (GER) & Thelma Hastak – 0 / 0 – 36.60
Source: Press Release (edited) from Bemer Riders Tour
Photos: © Bemer Riders Tour / Horsic.com
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
