The derby with a new main sponsor
Melitta as new main sponsor, the entire Olympic show jumping team from Paris and eight-time Olympic champion Isabell Werth at the start
It's all about renovations, reorganisations, top-class sporting figureheads and a new main sponsor: the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025 is already generating exciting anticipation.
"I spoke to Matthias Rensch on the phone a fortnight ago and then everything happened very quickly: Melitta is the new main sponsor of the derby," says Matthias Alexander Rath, Managing Director of event agency Schafhof Connects. "On a personal level, it was an immediate fit, we are absolutely on the same wavelength and I am delighted to have Melitta Kaffee, a globally recognised brand, as a partner for the Derby."
Until now, Melitta Kaffee has not been known as a partner in equestrian sport. "The phone call was short and sweet," smiled Matthias Rensch, Melitta Managing Director Europe, Africa and Asia for the coffee division. "A door opened for us and we were delighted to walk through it. I knew how much attention the event would attract and it suited us. The Melitta Group, to which we belong with Melitta Kaffee, is involved in sport, so far more in ball sports. And for us as Melitta Kaffee, live events are a strategic pillar of our business, so the two fit together perfectly: With the Derby, we have sport and a live event - so the decision was made very quickly."
Rath is delighted about this new main sponsor and at the same time about many loyal partners. "We spoke to all of the derby's previous partners and, with the exception of two, all of them have actually stayed on and nine more have joined. We are delighted that the response has been so great."
City of Hamburg fully supports the derby
Active City stands for more sport and exercise in Hamburg - this is a strategy of the City of Hamburg that also includes the German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby. A strategy with which the city of Hamburg wants to inspire people through sport. "The Derby is one of Hamburg's most traditional events and has a reputation to match," emphasises Christoph Holstein, Hamburg State Councillor for Sport. "We always try to achieve added value for society with our sporting events and when I see what happens between children and horses at the riding stables in the surrounding area, I know that these are 'social skills' that are being developed - which is another reason why the show jumping and dressage derby has a special status for us, but of course also as a top ten event in Hamburg with great appeal."
The Derbypark is already a hive of activity six weeks before the event: in addition to the main stand, the 'face' of the entrance to the large derby pitch is also being renovated. "It was clear that something had to happen to the infrastructure," emphasises Rath. "It's all the better that this is now happening in the first year - at this point, a big thank you to the Norddeutscher und Flottbeker Reiterverein e.V. (NFR) for their outstanding commitment. The Einritthaus will have a completely new look and a new roof, and the entire façade of the grandstand will also be refurbished. I think that will make a big visual improvement." In addition, the parking situation for the large horse transporters will be equalised and all trucks will park on the nearby Polo Platz. This will give the lorries more space and there will be more room around the stable tents and the dressage area of the Derby. Kristina Anrecht from the Hamburg-based company Anrecht Investment is delighted about this, as well as the dressage competitions, which are being organised at five-star level for the first time. "Five-star top dressage in the Anrecht Investment Dressage Arena - that feels indescribable. We are very proud of it, we have arrived!"
The legend takes off
It's clear: the German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby is renovating and changing, but at the same time sticking to the tried and tested. For example, the exceptional equestrian sport event in Hamburg remains the only one where the Harmonie & Fairness Prize® from Anrecht Investment is awarded in two disciplines: In dressage and show jumping.
"I'm really looking forward to coming to Hamburg again," says Isabell Werth. The eight-time Olympic dressage champion, who was honoured as a 'Legend of Sport' last year, last competed in Hamburg 17 years ago and is now coming back. "The programme is very well designed, the Hamburg show has always fascinated me and my godchild lives here. He can also show me a bit of the city." From the Louisdor Prize for young Grand Prix horses to the five-star Grand Prix and the international Small Tour - the starting opportunities are great. "I don't know yet whether I'll come with two or even three horses, but I'll definitely be there in the Louisdor Prize and the five-star tour." Two of her colleagues from the Olympic squad have also already announced their attendance: Olympic team champion Frederic Wandres and Katharina Hemmer.
Entire Olympic team arrives
Rath has already been able to announce a bang in the show jumping: "The entire Olympic team from Paris is on the entry list with Richard Vogel, Philipp Weishaupt and Olympic champion Christian Kukuk signed up last night." This means that the two-time winner of the Grand Prix of Hamburg, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, will face enormous competition. "I've been coming to the Derby for more than 20 years. When I still lived in Sweden, the Derby was incredibly far away and I didn't have the level to even think about competing here," Bengtsson looks back. "The fact that I can actually experience it now and almost every year is simply wonderful. The former Swedish pony eventing champion also competed in the derby once and delivered an ad hoc clear round. "But that year, of all years, there were two others with clear rounds, so I ended up third in the jump-off."
The Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025 - dressage at five-star level for the first time and the proven show jumping program with one more competition for the youngsters - these are changes that will also affect the prize money and the total budget: “We are slightly higher in both than last year,” explains Rath. “The prize money amounts to 1.3 million euros, the total budget to 4.1 million.” And with anticipation in his voice, the tournament director explains: “We've already stepped on the gas a lot over the past few months, but we'll also be stepping on the gas a lot over the next six weeks. We are delighted that after months of planning, things are about to get underway.”
Special tip: As part of the press conference for the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025, ARD has recorded an interview with Isabell Werth, which will be broadcast on Sunday, April 27, on the Sportschau from 7.00 pm.