08 Oct Hansi Dreher wins in Austria and takes the lead in the BEMER Riders Tour
(Wiener-Neustadt) “He jumped brilliantly again today and made it easy for me,” Hans-Dieter Dreher praised his sporting partner Vestmalle des Cotis, who provided him with his second stage victory this year. Dreher and the experienced chestnut gelding, who has already won many Grand Prix, finished the second round of the seventh rating competition clear and in 34.67 seconds and relegated the winner of the qualification, the Dutch rider Jur Vrieling on Griffin van de Heffinck, very narrowly to second place (35.94). Third place also went to Germany: Sophie Hinners and Thelma Hastak remained clear in 36.60 seconds. Dreher takes over the overall lead from Patrick Stühlmeyer, who slips to second place, with only two points difference.
Goal achieved
The German top trio of the Riders Tour – Patrick Stühlmeyer, Michael Viehweg and Hans-Dieter Dreher – had travelled to Wiener-Neustadt with a firm goal: To defend or improve their position in the current ranking. All three had already conceved this plan after the fifth stage in Münster, but only Dreher was able to realise it one hundred percent: “I came here especially to add to my points. My horse has been jumping really well all year. I only rode two classes in Barcelona last week so that he would be fresh for this weekend, and at this show I only rode one event before the Grand Prix. It was just ideal planning!” Seven pairs qualified for the winning round, including the second and third placed riders in the Tour Ranking up to that point, Michael Viehweg and Hans-Dieter Dreher. “I looked at the screen with one eye and knew what I had to do. Jur is a very fast rider, but I got a really good round. Now we’ll have a bit of a break and then we’ll continue,” Dreher said.
Nothing’s been decided yet
The tour continues with the eighth and final stage at the VR CLASSICS from 15 – 18 February 2024 in Neumünster. The race for the title of ‘Rider of the Year 2023/24’ will only be decided then, as participation in the last rating competition is essential for the overall classification and Tour victory. Patrick Stühlmeyer finished in eighth place after a mistake in the first round, but was able to add eight points to his account. This makes 43 points in total and keeps him in second place in the Riders Tour Ranking. Michael Viehweg qualified first for the second round on the Austrian warmblood stallion Contario. However, four penalty points meant sixth place, which improved his points account by 10 points to 36 and lead to third place in the ranking. So everything is still open until the final stage in Neumünster.
First Tour points for Hinners
Jur Vrieling will have to wait another year for his first victory in the Grand Prix of Sportland Niederösterreich. “Griffin jumped really well, but it wasn’t enough against Hansi Dreher. He should actually pay a fine, he rides so fast,” he teased his competitor from Germany. Behind the two experienced riders there was a young Amazon: Sophie Hinners, last year’s Vice Champion of the BEMER Riders Tour, was visibly pleased to be able to wear the familiar sash again. After two confident, clear rounds in the saddle of the Heartbeat daughter Thelma Hastak, she took third place and 15 points. “When the spectators really get into it, it adds the icing on the cake. I decided to ride here a while ago because I tried to attend the BEMER Riders Tour stages. A Nations Cup and the Bundeschampionat came in between, so unfortunately I haven’t been able to collect any points yet. I will be there in Neumünster. The event holds fond memories for me and is not so far away from home,” said Hinners, who grew up in Sittensen in Northern Germany.
Top quality sport
Winner Hansi Dreher also paid tribute to the audience: ” What a great audience, you managed to squeeze out a few more seconds!” Around 30,000 enthusiastic equestrian fans visited the CSI Arena Nova, which took place during the fair ‘Apropos Pferd’, and saw really good sport. Organiser Roland Pulsinger underlined the enthusiasm of his compatriots: “When we can welcome such great riders and see such great performances, we are even more pleased.” Conclusion of the weekend: The BEMER Riders Tour has lost none of its excitement in its 22nd year.
Result BEMER Riders Tour Rating Competition, Grand Prix of Sportland Niederösterreich, Int. jumping competition over two rounds (1.55 m)
- Hans Dieter Dreher (GER) & Vestmalle des Cotis, 0/34.67
- Jur Vrieling (NED) & Griffin van de Heffinck, 0/35.94
- Sophie Hinners (GER) & Thelma Hastak, 0/36.60
- Karin Martinsen (SWE) & Tailormade Concha Balou, 0/39.24
- Angelos Touloupis (GRE) & Lord Mexx, 4/36.06
- Michael Viehweg (GER) & Contario, 4/37.74
- Sabrina Berger (GER) & Quidams Star Melloni, 4/42.18
All results: https://results.hippodata.de/2023/2347/html/en/hippodata/resultlist_03.html?style=hippo
Dreher takes the lead in the BEMER Riders Tour. Dorothee Hahn from the Riders Tour and Alina Luisa Büchler, Equestrian Marketing Manager of BEMER Int. AG, congratulate on the victory
Stages of the BEMER Riders Tour 2023/24
Horses & Dreams meets Sweden, Hagen a.T.W. / GER, 19. – 23. April 2023
Pferd International, München-Riem / GER, 18. – 21. Mai 2023
CSI Ommen, Ommen / NED, 06. – 09. Juli 2023
Fest der Pferde, Donaueschingen-Immenhöfe / GER, 27. – 30. Juli 2023
Turnier der Sieger, Münster / GER, 24. – 27. August 2023
CSI Lier Azelhof Horse Events, Lier / BEL, 31. August – 03. September 2023
CSI Arena Nova, Wiener Neustadt / AUT, 05. – 08. Oktober 2023
VR CLASSICS, Neumünster / GER, 15. – 18. Februar 2024