International exams, sophisticated ambience, side by side with top stars of the scene - Alexandra Maier is not impressed by such an atmosphere.
The dressage rider from Epfach is able to achieve very strong performances in such an environment.
Epfach / Kronberg - International exams, sophisticated ambience, side by side with top stars of the scene - Alexandra Maier is not impressed by such an atmosphere. On the contrary: The dressage rider from Epfach is able to achieve very strong performances in such an environment. After the successful start at the “Balve Optimum” on the edge of the German championship including winning a ribbon (we reported) the 29-year-old now put on a successful performance at the “Schafhofs Dressage Festival” in Kronberg (Hesse). At the stud owned by Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff (Olympic dressage champion 1988 from Seoul with the team), Alexandra Maier shone with a personal best.
The big plus of the Epfacherin: She got her two top horses, "Geronnimmo" and "Majestix W", in good shape within a short time after the end of the corona restrictions in Bavaria - and thus made alternatives available. While it was “Geronnimmo” in Balve, with whom she achieved her best result, “Majestix W” (nickname: “Max”) was there at the right time at the sheep farm. In the Intermediaire I test on the second day, Maier and the 15-year-old gelding took second place with a total of 69.167 percent. From a judge from Denmark she received 70.441 percent, from a judge from France 70.147 percent. With such results Maier had never left the arena in such a test. The woman from Epfach was correspondingly satisfied: After a corona pause lasting more than eight months,Mäxchen 'back to its old form ”, says the rider. “And hopefully me too.” The horse “ran like clockwork”, reported mother Manuela Maier. A judge even gave an 8.0 for the change of two.
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Award ceremony: Alexandra Maier and “Majestix W” are awarded by Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff (left), “Schafhof” landlady and Olympic champion.
© Carola Knoll
The day before, Alexandra Maier and “Majestix W” had had bad luck in the Prix St. Georges.
Everything went well up to the four-man substitutions, but then the gelding had a problem with the bridle.
To protect the horse, Maier raised his hand - for the judges the sign that the rider is breaking off the test.
With “Geronnimmo” the woman from Epfach landed in seventh place in the opening competition with 62.304 percent;
a loop was denied the duo.
The trip to the Taunus was definitely worth it for the Maiers. The atmosphere was "mega-moderate", said Manuela Maier. The entire Schafhof facility represents an “indescribable backdrop”. The large dressage arena is located in a kind of park, part of which is terraced. "It is a dream to be able to ride there." The Hohenpeißenberg-based animal nutrition company "iWest" was responsible for the Grand Prix Freestyle as the namesake and main sponsor. It was won by Olympic champion Isabell Werth (with “DSP Quantaz” / 85.9) ahead of Dorothee Schneider (with “Faustus” / 82.4) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl from Upper Bavaria (with “Zaire-E” / 81.1). In the Grand Prix Special, Werth (with “Bella Rose” / 85.6) was also ahead. For Bredow-Werndl, the second place (84.8) jumped out with “TSF Dalera”.
Before the performance in Hesse, Alexandra Maier was in Niederaichbach (Lower Bavaria) to qualify for the Bavarian championship of amateur riders. The project succeeded, with fifth place in the Prix St. Georges, which the Epfacherin achieved together with “Geronnimmo”. The duo came to 67.588 percent. “Majestix W” was “in a great mood” that day, as Alexandra Maier reported, but in one situation it was distracted from the traffic on a nearby street - that cost points. In eighth place (66.316 percent) there was ultimately no loop. The Bavarian title fights (dressage / jumping / vaulting) for all age groups and also parasport athletes will take place from Friday, 9th to Sunday 11th July inclusive, on the facility in Munich-Riem.
