The past week the triple series of VWB/AQHA/NRHA/NSBA shows that are held each year at Gut Matheshof, Kreuth, Germany, reached its peak: After the Bavarian Spring Classics and the Bavarian Championships riders from all over Europe traveled to Bavaria to compete at the Bavarian Summer Show from June 28th to July 3rd. Not only were the prestigious finals of the Golden Series classes on the schedule, the show also included the NSBA European Championships.

The first NSBA class took place on Wednesday, June 29th: Youth competitor Cora Kümmerling from Sweden and Dont Skip It Up won the NSBA Pleasure Ltd. Open. The team is under the guidance of Karin Prevedel, Italy. One day later it was time for the Non-Pros to show their skills: Leonie Fischer rode her parents’ stallion Disavowed to the title NSBA European Champion Ltd. Pleasure Non Pro and beat out competitors from six other European nations.

It was late at night, around 11 p.m., when 15 riders and horses dressed up in English attire trotted through the middle of the arena in reach of the title European Champion Hunter under Saddle Non Pro. In the end it was Francesca Casetti Brach’s gelding Blaze N Asset who wore the blue and gold ribbon around his neck and the arena was filled with the sounds of the national anthem of Italy. Another medal went to an Italian competitor Saturday: Horse show fashion designer Anna Omodeo received the silver medal in the NSBA Non Pro Pleasure, only beaten out by Alan Vincent and Only Because Im Cool from France.

But the silver medal would not be the only award for Anna Omodeo and Asset Machine at that day: A few hours later they came back to the pen and claimed the title of Golden Series Western Pleasure champion in the finals of this class. In all Golden Series finals the competitors who accumulated the most points at the Bavarian Spring Classics and the Bavarian Championships were invited to the finals at the Bavarian Summer Show. The crowd went wild as Anna and her bay gelding “Biggie” loped their bridleless victory lap!

Eleven competitors made it to the finals of the Golden Series Trail that was the first Golden Series class to be held on saturday night. After each ride the scores were announced and the excitement rose as the announcer shout out the score for German trainer Carolin Lenz and a Western Melody who were draw five or six: 228, 5! – no one else was able to beat that.

“When the score for the first competitor who had an amazing ride was announced, I decided to take the risk and show my horse on a very loose rein. Western Melody aka Melli has never been shown with that much slack. Thank god this plan worked out well – I had a great feeling during the ride and was therefore very happy when they announced my score,” Golden Series Trail Champion Carolin Lenz states. On second place was former Highpoint Performance Horses intern Hannah Friedl from Austria with Disavowed who took home his second title of the show – so far.

By that time the excitement in the Ostbayernhalle was almost visible – the next class to start was the Golden Series Showmanship, a class in which some of the best youth, open and amateur all-around competitors participate each year: Franca Bartke, last years Reserve Champion and Champion of 2014 and 2013, was able to claim the title Reserve Champion Golden Series Showmanship once again. Amateur competitor Lea Henzgen and Under The Influence mastered the VWB-shaped pattern that included numerous turns, set-ups and extended trot and left behind eleven other competitors to end up as the 2016 Golden Series Showmanship champions. This successful team is under the guidance of Jadasa Jablonowksi.

Lea told us about her run in the Golden Series Showmanship with Under The Influence aka Madonna: “I honestly could not believe that Madonna and I should be the last one standing. I had a good feeling about our run and was so satisfied with her, but it was a competitive field with a lot of good riders. The feeling when I was announced this years Golden Series Showmanship Champion was incredible. Not only because it is always great when your hard work pays off, but also because the whole arena seemed to be so happy for me as well. It was an absolutely incredible atmosphere. I am so thankful that I can share such moments with my family and friends!”

Afterwards it was time for a “back to the roots” event: Joseph Gotthardt piloted his horse Cash R Cielo trough a complicated Ranch Riding pattern. The Ranch Riding is one of the latest Golden Series events and was introduced last year.
New this year was the Golden Series Horsemanship in which riders from all divisions could compete. Jadasa Jablonowski did not only train her clients to success, she managed to end up on 3rd place of the Golden Series Horsemanship aboard RR Making Moonshine. On second place were Hannah Friedl and Disavowed – the 2005 bay stallion claimed his second Reserve Champion title during that evening. The winner of this class came all the way from Switzerland: Sophie Gillioz and Power In The Canyon completed the pattern perfectly and took home the well-deserved win in this very deep class.

The class held afterwards, Golden Series Reining, was open to youth and amateur competitors only. Timo Reichhart and JP Elwhiz were crowned champions in this class.
Last class of the evening was the Golden Series Pleasure and after Anna Omodeo’s victory lap it was time to celebrate all the winners.

On Sunday two final NSBA classes were held: Anna Omodeo’s gelding Asset Machine won another title with trainer Mark Shaffer and completed a very successful show. Another Italian competitor was able to celebrate a few hours earlier: Lara Maiocchi and OHHH Tay I Overslept earned the medal and ribbon in the NSBA Open Hunter under Saddle.

Congratulations to all winners on your success and we hope to see you in four weeks at the FEQHA European Championships! 

Check out our candids from the show courtesy of Leonie Küthmann and Caro Behnke