After the successful summer trilogy in 2020, Achleiten castle park is the venue of a pre-Olympic double in 2021. At the international dressage shows organized by Olympic champion Sissy Max-Theurer almost everything this year revolves around qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The 24th CDI4* Achleiten from May 28 to 30 is considered an international elective show for Austria’s Olympic candidates, the 25th CDI4* from June 11 to 13 is then the compulsory event for all Tokyo candidates.
Tokyo candidates in the castle park arena
“In any case, this year we can look forward to great sporting excitement and hopefully many successful rounds,“ said host Sissy Max-Theurer.
Austria’s Olympic team is almost completely represented. With Christian Schumach (with Te Quiero SF 72.348 percent in Ornago), Florian Bacher (with Fidertraum 72.26 percent in Ornago) and Astrid Neumayer (with Zip Zap 72.609 percent in Munich) there are 3 Tokyo candidates who have already exceeded the 72 percent required by the Austrian Equestrian Federation as Olympic limit.
Further Austrian top participants are Belinda Weinbauer, Timna Zach, Franziska Fries, Katharina Haas, Amanda Hartung, Isabella Willibald, Stefan Lehfellner and Oliver Valenta.
Show break for local heroine
Local heroine Victoria Max-Theurer, who had already shone at her first elective show in Hagen with Abegglen and 75.8 percent in the Grand Prix, is taking a break from competitions after the exertions of the last weeks, but will of course be present in the castle park arena in 3 weeks at the compulsory show.
Riders from a total of 13 nations will be competing, and a 7-person Japanese film team has traveled to the event, primarily to capture images of Japan's Olympic competitor Akane Kuroki and her compatriot Ryunosuke Kuroda.
The experienced organizing team at Achleiten Castle is facing the special challenge of the coronavirus pandemic again this year. Sissy Max-Theurer, “Last year we organized 3 shows within 6 weeks under the strictest hygiene regulations and experienced 9 days of great sport. As far as the Corona requirements are concerned, it has not become easier for us due to the 3G rule, but at least we have routine in dealing with the virus. This is not least thanks to the discipline of all participants and my entire team.“