Blue skies, bright sunshine and almost summer temperatures: the conditions in Mannheim are reminiscent of those in Florida. André Thieme only came back from there four weeks ago. His horses and rider stayed in the US even longer. “It was just too cold in Germany because of the temperatures,” says André Thieme in an interview with SWR Sport. The horses were able to regenerate a bit in the warmth, go to the paddock a lot and Thieme himself was able to enjoy time with his family. He had been in the USA for training and tournaments for ten weeks.
Now in Mannheim he feels quite at home, he says. The 47-year-old laughs a lot, seems relaxed and is especially looking forward to the Nations Cup on Sunday. “I fought a bit to be allowed to ride here,” he says. Because a Nations Cup in front of a home crowd is something very special for him. “I’m incredibly happy that Mannheim managed to have a second Nations Cup in Germany.” Until now, a country was only allowed to host one Nations Cup, but the World Equestrian Federation FEI changed that this year.
Thieme’s greatest success: Individual European Champion in Riesenbeck
In Mannheim, André Thieme is one of the stars. After the rather disappointing Olympic Games in Tokyo, he trumped at the European Championships in Riesenbeck. As a debutant at the European Championships, he was crowned individual European Champion and could hardly believe it. “I don’t know either, all of a sudden it happened and we didn’t really get it,” he said afterwards in disbelief in the interview. Smiling, he shook his head. But that’s not all: He won the silver medal with the German team – Thieme and Chakaria delivered two clear rounds.
André Thieme and mare DSP Chakaria most successful Nations Cup pair 2021
Nations Cups suit the 47-year-old anyway. Last year, André Thieme managed a total of seven rounds without any errors, just like the Belgian Jérôme Guery – they shared the title “Mr. Nations Cup”. That’s what the Swiss horse magazine “PferdeWoche” found out. Every year it creates a Nations Cup ranking with various statistics. Another says: Thiemes mare DSP Chakaria was the most successful Nations Cup horse in 2021. Thieme did six of his seven clear laps with her.
At the Nations Cup in Mannheim Thieme saddles his 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Conacco. “He just deserved it. He jumps constantly and is such a loyal soul,” he enthuses and wishes for two clear rounds on Sunday, but above all a top placement with the team. Thieme will be the bottom rider of the German team. Kendra Brinkop, the German Champion of 2021, will start. The “Rider of the Year” Patrick Stühlmeyer starts second, the third team rider is Sophie Hinners. Team boss Marcus Döring hopes “that in the end all four will be zero and that we will end up at the top”.
Second highlight: Badenia as a qualification for the World Cup and European Championship
The Nations Cup is not the only highlight for the show jumpers in Mannheim. The second will follow on Tuesday with the “Badenia”. The international jumping competition traditionally marks the end of the Maimarkt tournament. This year it is a qualifying test for the World Championships in Herning 2022 and the European Championships in Milan 2023. An important test – André Thieme is probably planning with Chakaria here.
After the time in the USA, he wants to build up the mare carefully. “But she’s definitely bursting with energy,” he says. The big goal for this year is clear: “The World Cup! But we also know that a lot has to go right until then.”
Source: SWR