Two starts, two wins. Austria's four-time Olympic participant Victoria Max-Theurer enjoyed riding at home at the international dressage tournament at Achleiten Castle with her horses Abegglen FH NRW and Birkhof's Topas FBW. In the Grand Prix of the Special Tour, Max-Theurer and Olympic candidate Abegglen won with 73.283 percentage points after a confident round. “I am very happy with how Abegglen showed today. We're still a bit lacking in routine, but it was a very safe and good round, so we can certainly take more risks. We had a little stumble before the first piaffe, but overall it was really fun to ride him today, he listened to me very well, was with me, concentrated well despite the unusual distractions in his own arena in front of an audience," she said 38-year-old Upper Austrian after the first award ceremony. There on the podium was Lisa Müller, who took third place with her new addition Gut Wettlkam's Zonik Hit OLD with 68.543 percent. “I haven't been riding with Zonik for a whole year yet, but we're getting more and more together. We still lack a bit of composure,” explained the German. The two of them didn't allow themselves to be irritated by the suddenly loud winner's fanfare during their lap. “At least on the outside,” laughed Lisa Müller, who is visiting Achleiten Castle for the third time. “We always enjoy being here, the last time we were allowed to be here was in 2019.” At that time, husband Thomas Müller was also there. The German national soccer team star, who called the coach to find out about his wife's result, is unable to attend the European Championships in his own country this year. Lisa Müller's tip before the opening game against Scotland: “We win 3-0. A quick goal would be important!”
Things didn't go as planned for Austria's Olympic candidate Stefan Lehfellner with the hot-blooded Roberto Carlos MT in the Grand Prix: fifth place with 65.544 percent. “During the Passage Tour, Roberto suddenly galloped and then the entire line and four notes were broken. That cost five to six percent. The rest was very solid as always. The fact that this is happening to us in front of our home audience is bitter. But luckily Roberto showed in advance that he can deliver. What is important now is that we get fit horses in top shape to Paris,” said the Upper Austrian Olympic candidate, who was visibly suffering along with his teammates Florian Bacher and Christian Schumach, who had to withdraw their horses for health reasons. The 30th Olympics from Tokyo, Florian Bacher, as is well known, had to forego his appearance in Achleiten with the coughing Fidertraum OLD. He cheered with Team Austria at the Schlossparkviereck and gave an update on his sports partner's health: “Fidi is on the road to recovery. I'm glad he got a break this weekend, even if the timing isn't ideal, of course. If everything goes according to plan, we will start training again at the end of next week and focus on the final preparation for Paris. Even though I didn't ride in Achleiten, it was important to me to be here. We are a team and we are facing important weeks, so that goes without saying for me!” There was no good news for the Olympia 21 either. from Tokyo, Christian Schumach. His Olympic partner Te Quiero SF is literally pinched by the shoe, pardon the hoof: “Luckily we discovered a pressure point in the hoof quickly. It's a shame that we can't show ourselves here in Achleiten because it will simply take a few more days until the hoof is resilient again. Luckily we have enough time to cure this before Paris.” In the Grand Prix of the Freestyle Tour, Victoria Max-Theurer and second horse Birkhof's Topas FBW prevailed with 71.282 percent: “I was very happy with Topas today, there were a few misunderstandings, but he responded to them well, he listened well, got help, we really enjoyed riding. We have already been able to implement a few things that we planned to do in training and with Topas we have been able to implement everything we had planned.”
CDI4* Grand Prix (Qualification for GP Special)
1. Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT), Abegglen FH NRW 73,283
2. Francesco Zaza (ITA), High Hopes W 69,109
3. Lisa Müller (GER), Gut Wettlkam’s Zonik Hit OLD 68,543
4. Charlotte Lenherr (SUI), Sir Stanley W; 68,391
5. Stefan Lehfellner (AUT), Roberto Carlos MT; 65,544
6. Delia Eggenberger (SUI), Fairtrade; 65,065
7. Jacqueline Toniutti (AUT), Stradivari; 64,152
CDI4* Grand Prix (Qualification for GP Kür)
1. Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT), Birkhof’s Topas FBW; 71,282
2. Laura Strobel (GER), Valparaiso 2; 70,717
3. Lisa Müller (GER), Gut Wettlkam’s D’Avie FRH 70,435
4. Charlotte Lenherr (SUI), Gentlemen; 68,391
5. Charlotta Rogerson (SUI), Famora; 67,609
6. Andrina Suter (SUI), Fibonacci; 67,457
13. Peter Gmoser (AUT), Foreman MJ; 64,413
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