The VWB Summer Show that was held last week in Kreuth, Germany, is always a highlight of the European show season. This show does not only consists of two AQHA shows with two judges each and VWB classes, but features the finals of the prestigious Golden Series classes as well as the NSBA European Championship. Needless to say, many people from all European countries made their way to Bavaria to compete against Europe’s most talented all-around riders.

The first NSBA European Champion was crowned on Wednesday: Youth rider Cora Kümmerling from Sweden won the LimitedOpen Western Pleasure with Dont Dress Me. This team was also the bronze medalist in the Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure, only beaten by Marie-Paule Majerus and Clearly Open Range who won the class and silver medalist Katerina Bastova and A Dynamic Loper. In the Non Pro Pleasure, Cora and Dont Dress Me were Reserve Champions and shared the podium with their barn mates from KRP Quarter Horses, Alan Vincent and Only Because Im Cool from France, who won this class for the second year in a row, as Alan happily stated.

In the NSBA Hunter Under Saddle classes, the industry saw two very emotional wins: After a break of two years, former FEQHA European Champion Krymsuns Affair had a great comeback to the show pen and won the NSBA Hunter Under Saddle Open with Franca Bartke in the irons. Krymsuns Affair aka Jason is owned by Dunja Klein and trained by Arne Kühn. In the Non Pro division, Alina Märker and Krymsun Rider were crowned European Champions and Alina was able to share the podium with two friends: Franziska Hampf and Time For A New Page who took Reserve and Laura Pfeifer and Potentializing was the bronze medalists. Alina who is usually competing in Western Pleasure classes with her big black gelding told us: “It was a very spontaneous decision to put a hunter saddle on ‘Rider’ and I did not have that much time to practice. That we still won that class shows once again what a unique horse he is – he is a true jackpot!” Despite their enormous success in the Hunter Under Saddle, Alina and Rider also managed to excel in what they know best: The team won the prestigious Golden Series Western Pleasure final on Saturday evening as well.

At the last show, the Bavarian Championship, German Amateur rider Peer Kraack won the Limited Golden Series Pleasure together with his wife Laura Kraack – the tie for first place could not be broken. At the Summer Show, however, he and The Fire Starter were the last ones standing and could receive the title Golden Series Champion Limited Pleasure – what a great success with a home-bred horse!

This evening was one of the most emotional evenings during the whole show and started off with the Limited Golden Series Trail. Austrian native Sophie Muhr and Huntin For A Honey set the high score which was announced via speakers after each run and were anxiously watching six other competitors when it was clear: They had won this prestigious class in which some of the best trail riders in Europe were competing – what a great success for a young and aspiring trainer! Not only Sophie herself but her whole team was close to tears when she rode down the arena to receive her title.

“It is an amazing feeling to see that all the hard work has paid off – I could really enjoy the ride, ‘Miley’ gave 100 percent. I would really like to thank Miley’s owner Andrea Pauss as well as my former trainer Nina Leiner, Mark Shaffer and Robin Frid – I would not have come that far without you,” Sophie said.

Carolin Lenz can quite rightly be called the most successful rider of this evening: She defended her title in the Golden Series trail with A Western Melody and also showed the mare to a win in the Golden Series Showmanship which is open to riders of all divisions. Katerina Bastova and A Dynamic Loper were Reserve Champions in that class and mastered the long and complicated Showmanship pattern flawlessly.

Equally tough was the pattern of the Golden Series Horsemanship. In the end, it was Philipp Roos from Switzerland who took home the title with Technical Nat Image, followed by Pia Lipps and Investin Thewildcard. This team had another reason to celebrate at this show: Pia and “Boo” were named All-Around champions in the AQHA shows 1,2 and 3 and have thereby won their 50th All-Around title which makes them earners of the AQHA Amateur Superior All-Around. So far, only one European rider managed to achieve this title. Pia who has completed her Superior within a little more than three years and a limited number of shows stated: “I would like to thank my Dad, my trainer Hannah Friedl and Alina Märker for all the help. I am really proud of Boo – he is quite a character, but he is also very cute and an amazing horse!”

The last NSBA class was held on Sunday and once again, everyone could witness a great comeback: Just like her barn mate Krymsuns Affair, Promise Me Krymsun aka Emmi returned to the show pen after a two-year break and managed to win the NSBA Western Pleasure Open with trainer Arne Kühn. This mare has won every Western Pleasure class she showed in with Arne Kühn and was only defeated in the Youth Pleasure in which Czech rider Sára Studničková showed her to a second place finish, beaten out by Laura Weber and RR Suddenly Moonlite.

Congratulations to all NSBA European Champions, Golden Series Champions and all class winners! We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the European Championship in four weeks and to compete under the eyes of accomplished judges against the best of the best!