When is the Pentecost tournament?
As the name suggests: at Pentecost. To be more precise: it starts on Friday morning and ends on Monday evening. In between there are 30 tests, hopefully lots of sunshine (it’s looking good at the moment), top riding in three disciplines and of course the Wiesbaden Horse Night.
What competitions are there?
The triumvirate of riding fun consists of elegance, bounce and daredevilry. In technical terms: dressage, show jumping and eventing. Not participating this year due to lack of space: the vaulters. “After our tournament had to be canceled for two years, I’m all the more looking forward to the Wiesbaden Whitsun tournament 2022,” said organizer and WRFC President Kristina Dyckerhoff.
When does it get particularly exciting?
The eventing tests take place on Friday and Saturday. What is probably the most impressive of the four dressage tests at Grand Prix level takes place under floodlights on Sunday evening from 9 p.m. The highlight will then be the Grand Prix of the state capital Wiesbaden in show jumping on Monday from 4 p.m. (HR television broadcasts live from 5 p.m.)
How much prize money is there to win?
In short: a total of 434,000 euros.
What are the most prominent names in the field of participants?
The starting list for the Whitsun tournament is quite impressive. In eventing, alongside three-time Olympic champion Michael Jung, current Olympic champion Julia Krajewski will be the center of attention. Olympic participant and local hero Daniel Deußer as well as the Nations Cup winners David Will, Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel have announced their participation in show jumping. In the dressage arena, the grand dame of equestrian sport, Isabell Werth, is chasing her 14th title in Wiesbaden.
Are there also stars and starlets?
Absolutely. In addition to the numerous regional greats in the audience, Jessica Springsteen in particular exudes a touch of rock’n’roll. The American not only has the same surname as a famous rock singer, Jessica is actually the daughter of Bruce Springsteen and competes in show jumping. Good omen for her: The last time winner of the Grand Prix was named Chloe Reed and is exactly like Jessica Springsteen: Born in the USA.
And what about the parrots?
The focus of the riding tournament, that’s in the nature of things, is of course the horses. A lot of parrots will contribute their part to the show, especially acoustically. Living in the Biebricher Schlosspark, and that could be very good information, especially for the small talk on the Pentecost weekend, a total of 2,500 collared parakeets and 500 Alexander parakeets.
Source: HR