Third straight three-star victory for Lehfellner

Local favourite Stefan Lehfellner opened the second international dressage tournament of the year at the picturesque show arena in the park of Achleiten Castle with a home victory on Friday morning. Under perfect summer skies, the Upper Austrian narrowly won the CDI3* Grand Prix – sponsored by Sparkasse Neuhofen – against a strong German field, celebrating his third consecutive three-star victory in Achleiten within just a few weeks.

Seventeen combinations contested the Grand Prix, including Austrian championship and Olympic riders Stefan Lehfellner and Florian Bacher. In a thrilling competition, the 43-year-old claimed victory aboard L’Espoir with 69.522%, edging Germany’s Laura Strobel and Valparaiso NRW (69.478%) by the smallest of margins. Yara Reichert (GER) and Springbank II VH completed the podium with 68.370%.

The victory was another special milestone for Lehfellner. Having already won both CDI3* classes during the first CDI Achleiten in June, he remains unbeaten after three starts at three-star level in Achleiten.

“It is always an honour to ride ‘Leo’. He is an incredibly positive horse and I simply love working with him. We are improving from test to test, and many things are already much better. At the moment we are still making a few costly mistakes in the more demanding movements, and they are preventing us from achieving an even higher score. Once we eliminate those errors, I’m convinced there is much more potential in this horse. His attitude, his quality and his natural ability are exceptional,” said Lehfellner.

The emotional prize-giving ceremony in the arena provided a fitting conclusion to the opening competition. Event organiser and multiple Olympian Victoria Max-Theurer presented the awards before the Austrian national anthem was played in honour of the home winner.

“Vici and I made a conscious decision to hold the prize-giving ceremony with the horses. When it is carried out as calmly and professionally as it was today, it is simply part of our sport. Honouring both rider and horse together is a wonderful way of recognising the performance and creates a truly special atmosphere,” added the multiple championship rider.

Among the distinguished guests was eight-time Olympic champion Isabell Werth, who once again followed the competition from the sidelines in her role as mentor. Sparkasse Neuhofen CEO Mag. Martin Sutter also attended the prize-giving ceremony, representing the title sponsor of the Grand Prix. The successful opening day marked the beginning of another weekend of top-class international dressage sport in Achleiten.

RESULTS Friday, 24. July 2026 N°1 FEI Grand Prix (CDI3*) 1. Stefan Lehfellner (AUT), L’Espoir, 69,522 Percent 2. Laura Strobel (GER), Valparaiso NRW, 69,478 % 3. Yara Reichert (GER), Springbank II VH, 68,370 % 4. Lisa Müller (GER), Gut Wettlkam’s Raffinesse, 67,783 % 5. Julia de Ridder (GER), Birkhofs Diamantinos, 66,674 % Detailed results HERE!