Barbara Schnieper & Canice Conquer the €56,800 Sportland of Lower Austria Grand Prix CSI 3*

By Jumper News on 2024-10-08

Wiener Neustadt, Austria – October 06, 2024 – More than 30,000 visitors, 200 exhibitors and a total of 400 horses ensured from 3rd to 6th. October in Wiener Neustadt at the Apropos Horse for a unique atmosphere and full ranks, which spurred even more the 22 show jumpers from 11 nations in the CSI 3* final on Sunday afternoon.

A total of eight red-white-red pairs were represented in the traditional Sportland Lower Austria Grand Prix CSI 3*, worth 56,800 euros, over a maximum height of 150 cm. The decision in this world ranking competition was made in an exciting jump-off with six rider-horse pairs from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland.

The 42-year-old Swiss Barbara Schnieper (SUI), who was in the top ranks every day this weekend, was the first starter in the jump-off. She piloted her 11-year-old Westphalian mare Canice over the jump-off course flawlessly in 37.12 seconds. A time that – as it turned out – couldn’t be topped.

Only Austria’s hottest iron in the fire, Olympian Katharina Rhomberg (AUT), came dangerously close. The Vorarlberg native completed the grand prix with her top horse Cuma in an excellent second place in 37.73 seconds.

“I’m surprised that it was enough, actually my horse isn’t that fast,” said Barbara Schnieper, who was extremely happy after this success. The last Swiss Grand Prix victory at the Apropos Horse was more than 10 years ago, as Beat Mändli (SUI) and Philippüger (SUI) were able to enter the winners’ list for Switzerland in 2009 and 2010.

**Jur Vrieling** (NED) & **Helwell du Chabus**

Experienced Jur Vrieling (NED) completed the podium today: With Helwell du Chabus, he finished the Sportland Lower Austria Grand Prix without any mistakes in 39.30 seconds.

The Grand Prix winner from 1998 and 2007, Dieter Köfler (AUT), achieved another top-ten placement from an Austrian perspective in seventh place. Unfortunately, he finished the basic course with Coleur Blue with a time error and was therefore not represented in the jump-off.

*Ines Bejdl, Philippe Pirez, LAbg. Peter Gerstner, Sportstadtrat Philipp Gruper, Roland Pulsinger, Manuela Koch, Alexandra Strohmaier*

Peter Gerstner took part in the award ceremony for Sportland Lower Austria: “The Apropos Horse has enjoyed a very high status for over 30 years and offers a great platform for equestrian sports. With this diverse supporting program, everyone gets their money’s worth. It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in amateur or elite sports. The added value for the region is great and we are therefore happy to support this event as Sportland Lower Austria!”

“A lot of work, little sleep, but we offered the enthusiastic audience four days of great equestrian sport in the Arena Nova. It was definitely worth it!”, summed up tournament director Roland Pulsinger. “I would especially like to thank the Sportland Niederösterreich for the years of good cooperation and also the Arena Nova team, with whom we work so successfully to make this equestrian weekend a unique experience for all visitors. And of course I would also like to thank all the sponsors and partners who are just as passionate about equestrian sports as my entire team, because without them it would not be possible to successfully organize such a mega equestrian sports weekend.”

Arena Nova managing director Gerald Stangl also drew a positive conclusion: “We are overwhelmed by the great interest and popularity of the over 30,000 visitors. The concept of Apropos Horse – a trade fair, show and sport at the highest international level has once again proven its value as a leader for decades. Our claim to pass on horse knowledge at the most modern level coincides with society’s claim to integrate horses into their lives. This knowledge strengthens our ambition to bring together the best experts to talk about horses in Wiener Neustadt as part of a trade fair from October 2nd to 5th, 2025.”