The three for the grand finale
The finalists for the 65th Almased German Dressage Derby have been announced: The top three in the three-star Grand Prix, the Prize of the Schwiebert family's Helenenhof, have qualified for the Dressage Derby: Anna-Lena Kracht (Groß Steinrade), Felix Kneese (Appen) and Kristin Biermann (Osnabrück).
Anna-Lena Kracht won the Grand Prix with 68.174 per cent on the 15-year-old Florinio.
"I've had Florinio since he was four years old and have also trained him myself," she explains, "This is the first time I've competed with him in the 3* Tour and of course I didn't expect that we would be able to win the competition straight away. But he felt great in the arena." Looking ahead to the derby final on Sunday, Kracht admits: "On the one hand, it's really cool, but on the other, I'm a bit anxious to see how things will go on Sunday." The professional trainer is already familiar with the change of horses, having finished second in the U25 dressage derby here in Klein Flottbek in 2014. Her tactics for Sunday: "I'll watch one or two videos again to get an idea of how you might be able to ride something. Florinio is my only Grand Prix horse so far, so it will be exciting to ride other Grand Prix horses on Sunday."
Kneese and San Simeon qualified for the final with 68.065 per cent and second place. "I hope that San Simeon gets the best horse score on Sunday - he deserves it." Felix Kneese also already knows how the Derby final on Sunday works, as he was one of the finalists in 2023.
The change of horses is completely new for Kristin Biermann. "I've never been to Hamburg before.
Queensland was also very impressed by the atmosphere at first, but then she was great to ride." The two have been a couple for 8 years and have ridden their way up from the Piaff-Förderpreis Tour to the Grand Tour."
On Sunday, the final of the 65th Almased German Dressage Derby, the Almased Wellness GmbH Prize, starts at 11.00 am in the Anrecht-Investment Dressage Arena.
Historic birthday opportunity
He has the chance to write derby history at the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025: Marvin Jüngel. He could join the historic ranks of those who have earned the Blue Riband for winning the Derby three times in a row. So far, only seven-time Derby winner Nelson Pessoa has achieved this with Vivaldi from 1992 to 1994 and Toni Haßmann, who won with Collin from 2004 to 2006. Jüngel could become the third 'triple winner in a row' on his 24th birthday, which Jüngel celebrates on Derby Sunday.
How do you feel this year as the - so to speak - double defending champion?
Marvin Jüngel: We've felt very comfortable over the last few years, the horses are in a good mood, I'm in a good mood - there's not much that can go wrong. (laughs)
You have four horses with you this year - who do you have with you?
Marvin Jüngel: I have an eight-year-old youngster with me, Don Corleone, two horses for the five-star tour, DSP Kontendra S and Helene and of course Balou's Erbin for the derby tour. I am also very proud to be able to ride here in the five-star class. We are fully motivated.
You could cause a sensation with Balou's heiress - how would you describe your relationship
Marvin Jüngel: It's very close. She loves routine, she loves it when everyday life is very similar: First we feed her, then she goes to the paddock, then we ride her - this same routine is very important to her at home. We experience this together every day when I'm at home. And here in the stable tent, it's also very important to me that I have a lot of time for her. For me, she is not just a ‘horse’ that is brought out when she is needed. She is also a friend.
Derby Sunday is your birthday - could that be a good omen?
Marvin Jüngel: The last two times I won, it was always a special day - once it was my mother's birthday, once it was Mother's Day and now it's my birthday. That might mean something, but of course a bit of luck is also part of it on Sunday.
Stathagnio PS - the youngster grenade
Eight-year-old Stathagnio PS by Stakkatol won the final of the Theurer Trucks 2Go Youngster Tour in the Klein Flottbek Derby Park. The seven and eight-year-old young horses proved themselves over two qualifying rounds on the large grass arena, with the best 30 of them competing in the final. Stathagnio PS remained clear in both phases of the course under Zascha Nygaard Lill and galloped over the finish line in 26.32 seconds. Second place went to the seven-year-old Belgian mare Silhouet van de Rozenberg under Brazilian rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli. Third place went to the Holstein mare Kasuarina HHL under Philipp Battermann-Voss.
Holsteiner hopefuls
A dozen young Holsteiner hopefuls were presented at the Holsteiner Verband's foal auction as part of the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025. He came from Denmark and was the most expensive foal to go into German ownership for 16,500 euros: Unique by Uricas by/d Kattevennen-Cornet Obolensky. Auctioneer Hendrik Schulze Rückamp knocked down the filly Tummy Tuck by Casallco-United Way (Dr. Antonio Conde, Wöhrden) for 16,000 Euros. Günther Friemel secured this jewel of line 2472 from the direct dam line of the legendary Contender for regular customers from South Africa.
Ludger Beerbaum was also among the buyers: The hammer fell at 15,000 euros for the Zuccero son Zeus LM. “I am delighted that Ludger Beerbaum was so enthusiastic about this foal from the dam line of his former successful horse Chiara that he spontaneously bought it,” said auction manager Felix Flinzer.
On average, the foals cost 13,000 euros with a sales quota of 92 percent.
(KiK/pe&pa)