By Jean Llewellyn / press release
Photography: Björn Schröder
A Federal champion, a silver and bronze medal apiece, and several impressive final placings – that’s the successful record of the horses and ponies from Baden-Württemberg at the 2025 Federal Championships in Warendorf.
The new Federal Champion of three-year-old German Riding Ponies is Next Dancer C (Next Diamond x Geronimo B; breeder: Miriam Charar). The chestnut gelding was perfectly presented by Michele Schulmerig and was able to build on previous championship successes. In Warendorf, he won the qualification with an 8.3 and then improved to 8.6 in the final. His high consistency and rideability, coupled with three basic gaits that show no weaknesses, are always impressive.
The impressive New Flame of Love H (Next Diamond x D-Day; breeder: Lisa Hanser), also superbly ridden by Michele Schulmerig, placed fourth in the qualification, but then took second place in the final with a score of 8.4. Thus, two ponies from Baden-Württemberg, who received excellent training in Heidelberg with the Schumlerig family, celebrated a fantastic double success.
In the strong field of three-year-old mares and geldings, Fiene-Liene (Fineline x Quadrofino; bred by Anton Herre) was once again a mare who had already topped the State championships in Weilheim and the German Horse Show Championships in Darmstadt. In Warendorf, the highly appealing bay won the bronze medal with a score of 8.4. Excellently presented by Valentina Bronner, the breeder's niece, Fiene-Liene also impressed with outstanding rideability and three excellent gaits.
Regarding the discussion in Warendorf about the participation of three-year-olds in the Federal Championships, it should be mentioned that Fiene-Liene only competed in the three championship tournaments, each with two tests, and was under saddle for six weeks before her first competition in Weilheim. She and her sensitive rider prove that it is entirely possible to present three-year-old horses in championship competitions appropriate to their age and the animals they represent.
Uwe Schwanz and Datejust (Dreamboy x Fürstenball; breeder: Jutta Steidl; owner: Hildegard Riedmaier) also impressed with a strikingly harmonious performance. In the four-year-old stallion class, he demonstrated absolute composure, entering the arena at a walk on a long rein, with his ears pricked, and completing the test with ease. Compared to the at times tense performances of the medalists, one could have expected a few more points for Datejust. With a score of 8.4 and fourth place in the final, it was still a fantastic success...
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