The traditional German Show Jumping and Dressage Derby in Hamburg will have to do without the Global Champions Tour in the future. Organizer Volker Wulff announced on Friday that the expiring contract with the most lucrative show jumping series had not been extended.
“We were very happy to have the tour as a guest in Klein Flottbek, but Hamburg has its own profile, which has been established for over 100 years. This profile must not be changed or diluted by a series guest,” says Wulff. That’s why it was agreed with the tour “not to extend the contract that is now expiring”.
“That has always been our priority and it should continue to be so: the traditional derby combined with modern, world-class show jumping.”
— Volker Wulff
Separate ways after 15 years
After 15 years it was time to go our separate ways. “It was a good time, the Global Champions Tour was good for Hamburg, especially in the first few years. We have achieved a lot in terms of acceptance. But now the Global Tour actually wanted more than we can give,” Wulff told NDR. Other venues would pay license fees, for example. “We can’t do that.” But it’s not the case that Hamburg no longer meets the Global Tour’s demands would suffice.
Wulff: No setback in terms of sport
In the Hanseatic city, however, the focus has always been on the prestigious derby, which is unique with its course. “We want to keep the derby and the top equestrian sport in Hamburg as a unit. That’s why this event is loved by millions of people,” said Wulff. In terms of sport, this is not a setback. The Hamburg Grand Prix, otherwise the stage of the Global Champions Tour, will continue to be one of the highlights of the traditional tournament. Only the team competition “Global Champions League” is cancelled.
Opportunity for new partners
Does the future absence of the tour pose economic problems? “We’re getting along. We’re now out of the constraints of the Global Champions Tour and want to develop the event. We’ll definitely need additional partners for that. We’re working on that,” said Wulff. Because the “dominance of the Global Champions Tour in the marketable area” was very large, there are now new opportunities for other partners. The exams would even be upgraded overall. “The Derby, the Hamburg Championships and the Grand Prix will be more lucrative for the riders,” says the tournament manager, who is still counting on the international top.
Next derby week in May 2023
The Global Champions Tour has stopped off in Hamburg 14 times since 2008. In 2020 there was no derby in the Hanseatic city because of the corona pandemic. The tournament classic was also canceled in 2021. Instead, a few months later, a smaller tournament was held with the jumping of the million series as the highlight. In 2023, the equestrian elite will be guests in Klein Flottbek from May 17th to 21st.
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Sports current | 10/14/2022 | 3:25 p.m
