The World Cup final in spring riding will take place in Basel until Sunday. Five Germans riding the victory, including Hans-Dieter Dreher. A dream fulfills for him.
For Hans-Dieter Dreher, this World Cup final is almost a home game: it is almost 15 kilometers from the home stable in Eimeldingen to the St. Jakobshalle in Basel. The path across the German-Swiss border is so short that it could almost have ride, he says with a smile. His top horses Elysium and Vestmalle des Cotis came with the van on Tuesday morning. Your rider commutes between the tournament grounds and your own bed until Sunday. “I’m at home faster than the other riders in the hotel.”
World Cup final for Dreher “Die World championship In the hall “
In conversation with SWR Sport, the 53-year-old looks easy and full of anticipation. It is noticeable to him what great importance the World Cup season has for him with the final final. “For me it is the World Cup in the hall,” he explains. The best riders in the world start this week in Basel. Since October they have been able to collect points at various World Cup stations to qualify for the final of the 2024/20225 season.
With the qualification for Basel, Hans-Dieter Dreher has achieved his first destination. Now the focus is on the next: a podium in the World Cup final. The high expectations are quite normal and with everyone who diversions, he says. “A place in the top three is realistic, but don’t forget: the others also want to win.” Full concentration is required in three exams. Each of the jumps up to 1.60 meters high is a hurdle on the way to the final victory.
The first exam on Thursday evening (8:15 p.m.) is a time jumping, for which Hans-Dieter Dieter Dreher will saddle his foxwallach vestmalle des Cotis. “He is a very fast horse. If we catch a good round, we can be there at the front.” Together, the two won the World Cup in Mechelen, Belgium in December, in retrospect the “highlight of the indoor season” for Hans-Dieter Dreher.
Knapped past the podium last year
On Friday evening (8:15 p.m.) there is a jumping test after mistakes and time with jump -off. Vestmalle’s stable colleague Elysium is to be used here, just like on the final Sunday. “He looks like a white giant, but is very sensitive,” says Dreher, who lovingly calls him “Eli”. At the World Cup final last year, lurer with him narrowly missed the podium and was the fifth best German in the end.
Hans-Dieter Dreher together with Wallach Elysium at the VET check on Tuesday evening. The Holsteiner-Wallach with the huge galloping always wants to do everything right, says his rider.
For Dreher, Basel is always a “dream tournament”. A World Cup stage only took place here in January, now the St. Jakobshalle is the first venue for the World Cup final. “I’ve been riding here for several years. They make so much effort and try to do something better.”
However, your own team also contributes to the good atmosphere, which includes, among other things, nursing officers Stefan, Ms. Marion and Dreiser children. “And of course we riders have a great team. We Germans here all get along great. One supports the other,” he says.
Five facts about the World Cup final in show jumping
- 44 World Cup finals have taken place since 1979. This year it will take place for the first time in Basel.
- For last year’s winner Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden) it is about the World Cup final Hattrick: In the past two years he has dominated with child Edward, this year he starts with Iliana.
- So far, four riders and one rider have won the World Cup final three times in show jumping. These include the German Marcus Ehning and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. Ehning competes in Basel and could crown the record winner.
- With eleven final victories, the United States leads the nation ranking in show jumping. Germany follows in second place with ten wins. Switzerland has won six times so far.
- In addition to the World Cup final in show jumping, the finals in dressage and vaulting are also held in Basel.
In addition to turning, Richard Vogel, Sophie Hinners, Marcus Ehning and Mario Stevens also start in Basel. “They are all in a good mood,” says Dreher. According to the 53-year-old, the favorites also include the Swiss Martin Fuchs, the Frenchman Julien Epaillard and the Swede Henrik von Eckermann, who was able to win the past two finals.
Full of focus on the World Cup final in Basel
Just like many other world-class riders, Hans-Dieter Dreher grew up with horses. His father ran a riding stable in which “Hansi” also learned riding as a child. At the age of seven he went to the tournament for the first time. In the meantime, he is part of the top of the world, also thanks to sponsors from Switzerland. With participation in the World Cup final in Basel, he now fulfills a dream and is aware of his certain home advantage: “I can drive home every day in a quarter of an hour. This is very pleasant for me.”
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