(mps) He had already convinced the judges in the final of the Piaff-Förderpreis at the 22nd international STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS show 2006 – and also in the 23rd edition of the indoor equestrian classic, the winner’s ribbon of the class of the Liselott Schindling foundation was received by Matthias Alexander Rath from Kronenberg. After he had already shown his ambitions with his success at the second qualifier in Lingen in June, the 23-year old started relatively calmly in the opening class on Thursday, where he ended up in the fifth position.
However, in the final on Friday morning, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff’s step-son and Renoir-Unicef, his 16-year old Oldenburg gelding – who was world champion under Linsenhoff in 2002 – were in top form exactly at the right time. The pair received 1.645 points or 68.543 per cent for their performance in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle. A result which could not be beaten by their competitors and also meant the nicest possible farewell for Renoir-Unicef from the sports. “Actually, we have already decided some time ago that Stuttgart will be his last show. Here, he was in the spotlight for the first time in 2001, when he received the Lörke-Preis. Therefore, it is very nice for us that he finishes his career here”, explained Klaus-Martin Rath, the father, who received the trophy for the trainer of the winning pair like last year. The fact that the gelding finishes his career with another victory in the long series of victories, is the cherry on the cake of a worthy career end.
“I am really happy, that everything went so well. However, after yesterday’s result, I did not really expect it. That’s why I am much happier now“, said the economies student, who relegated Jessica Werndl (Aubenhausen) on Duke (67.833 per cent) and Falk Stankus (Altenkrempe) in the saddle of Lancelot (67 per cent) to the places. “I also would like to thank Klaus Rheinberger, who makes this series possible for us“, addressed Rath to the chairman of the Liselott Schindling foundation which supports the dressage sport.
