In addition to the fight for the blue ribbon on Sunday, the focus of the traditional tournament is primarily on testing the million-dollar series Global Champions Tour. Hamburg is the sixth station of 16 stages of the most lucrative equestrian series, plus there is a final in Prague. The show jumping on Saturday is endowed with 300,000 euros and once again attracts international equestrian celebrities to the Hanseatic city.
Thieme: “Focus 100 percent on the derby”
European champion André Thieme (Plau am See) will tackle both highlights, but has clear preferences: “The focus is 100 percent on the derby. I’ll take the Global Champions Tour with me,” said the 47-year-old. For the jumping derby, the three-time winner saddles his gelding Contadur, who has already walked the course several times. “I don’t know if he still remembers the jumps, but I know that I have a fighter under me,” said Thieme.
The Mecklenburger brings his top horse Chakaria to the start in the Global Champions Tour. Hamburg is one of three tournaments that the chestnut mare will contest on the way to the hoped-for participation in the World Championships from August 6th to 14th in Herning, Denmark.