05 May Pferdefestival Redefin – Completely International
(Redefin) The Pferdefestival Redefin celebrates a premiere from 13 – 15 May 2022. For the first time the dressage component has also been upgraded to an international three-star event and it means that participants from eleven nations will be competing in the dressage arena at Redefin. At least as important: the qualification for the prestigious NÜRNBERGER BURG-POKAL Final alone attracts 20 riders with 27 horses to the Landgestüt Redefin in Mecklenburg.
The Festival is one of the top addresses for equestrian sport in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and this year it once again resumes its tradition as a freely accessible meeting place for all horse sport fans. Both jumping and dressage are now at three-star level – another big step forward for the Pferdefestival Redefin that generates further attention and interest for the international show. This even reaches as far as Australia: With Mary Hanna and Calanta, an Olympic pair from the Tokyo Games 2021 will come to Redefin for the first time.
Olympic Flair
Mary Hanna is probably one of the most remarkable riders in dressage, having represented her home country at the Olympic Games six times, most recently with the now 15-year-old Dutch mare Calanta. The pair has just returned to the international circuit after the Olympic Games. Michael Klimke (Warendorf), a former German Champion, is coming to Redefin for the first time. Juliane Brunkhorst (Ganderkesee) and Kira Wulferding (Holzhausen) have been regulars to Redefin for many years and Ants Bredemeier (Trittau) was born and raised in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – the professional dressage rider is coming “back to his roots”, so to speak. Further entries were received from Thailand, Sweden, Portugal, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Korea, Japan, Finland and Cyprus.
Lüders and Mencke for MV
Ronald Lüders (Gatow) and Libuse Mencke (Ganschow) can celebrate a kind of “home game” at Redefin. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s top riders will saddle up five contenders for the NÜRNBERGER BURG-POKAL in Redefin. The multiple state champion Lüders is relying on DSP Black Belantis and Feengold. Libuse Mencke, active again after her baby break, has Bavalou, Silberglanz and Donauschall scheduled for the qualification for the renowned German dressage series. The NÜRNBERGER BURG-POKAL is the quintessential championship run for seven to nine-year-old dressage horses. The Pferdefestival Redefin is the only qualifier in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the series.
Jumping with 14 Nations
With participants from 14 nations the jumping competition also promises top entertainment for spectators. Two Olympic athletes will meet each other again in Redefin: Eiken Sato (Japan) and European Champion André Thieme (Plau am See) already competed in Tokyo last year. Riders descend on Redefin from literally all directions – from Sweden and Denmark to Argentina and the USA.
Good also for the MV riders like Thomas Kleis (Wendorf), the young Christin Wascher (Redefin), Holger Wulschner (Groß Viegeln) and European Champion André Thieme, who are always competitive in international sport. This is also picked up by NDR television: on Saturday and Sunday the sport will be broadcast live from the course in the “Sportclub live” show.
Welcome to the Pferdefestival Redefin
Visitors can look forward to exciting sport, great horses and free admission, as tickets are only required for the grandstand at the showjumping arena, which can be purchased on site (Friday 10 Euros, Saturday and Sunday 15 Euros each). Otherwise, access to the showjumping arena in front of the Riding House portal and to the dressage, which will be held for the first time on the arena in the stallion parade stadium, is free.
Photo: André Thieme and DSP Chakaria © Stefan Lafrentz