09 Jun Para-dressage and top performances: a look back at the Covalliero Dressage Days
(Hagen a.T.W.) The Covalliero Dressage Days once again offered a fantastic programme for disabled and non-disabled riders from a total of 16 nations. Not even the changeable weather could curb the energy and motivation of the participants. The four-day tournament ended yesterday with the CPEDI and CDI U25 freestyle competitions. The Grand Prix at three-star level was dominated by US riders: Kevin Kohmann won the Grand Prix and the Special, while Susan Dutta took the lead in the freestyle. The competitions in Hagen a.T.W. served as a trial for the US team for the Dressage Nations Cup in Aachen. Kohmann, who competed under the German flag until 2021, should have secured a place in the Nations Cup team after his solid performances last weekend. In the Small Tour, there was an intriguing duel between the Young Horse World Champions Life Time FRH and Charlott Maria Schürmann as well as the new combination of the Lusitano stallion Mantovani’s Nuelo das Lezirias and Maxi Kira von Platen. Both pairs managed to secure one victory each.
The CPEDI competitions at Hof Kasselmann were very well received for the second year in a row. For para-dressage riders, the competitions in the show jumping stadium provide a rare opportunity to ride in a championship atmosphere. This was a decisive advantage, especially for the German contingent, explained Silke Fütterer-Sommer, national coach for German para-dressage: “The tournament offered the best conditions for our riders and horses. Everything was taken care of at Hof Kasselmann – everything is easily accessible and the entire grounds are completely barrier-free. The tournament was also good preparation for the upcoming German Championships in Balve and enabled the riders to practise the competition atmosphere in the stadium. We have a lot of new combinations in the German team, and these pairs in particular are taking advantage of the opportunity to get together under competition conditions. We would like to thank the organisers and look forward to the next time!‘ Organiser Francois Kasselmann hinted that a para tournament could also be held in Hagen a.T.W. next year: ’The plans are moving towards a “last chance” for the 2026 World Equestrian Games.”
Next up: Future Champions
The Horses and Dreams Entertainment GmbH team does not have much time to tidy up the tournament grounds: tomorrow, the next trucks and transporters will already be rolling into Hagen’s Borgberg. On Wednesday, 11 June, the “Future Champions” Youth Nations Cup tournament will begin. 308 riders with 433 horses from a total of 24 nations are expected to participate. The young riders will compete in eight Nations Cups in show jumping and dressage, divided into the age groups Children (U14), Pony (U16), Juniors (U18) and Young Riders (U21). A special highlight of the week is the “Welcome Night” on Thursday evening with the parade of nations. Admission for spectators is free on all days.
All results of the Covalliero Dressage Days: https://equestrian-hub.com/show/254809
Future Champions: https://future-champions.de/
Photo (c) Foto Rüchel