Road2LA eventing initiative with a prominent supporter: real estate company Engel & Völkers Schleswig-Holstein is committed to bush riders
“A matter of the heart”: Road2LA versatility initiative with a prominent supporter
from Jan Tönjes 
Zuccini and Ben Leuwer are among the pairs supported by Road2LA. Here at their first Nations Cup outing in Marbach 2026. photo: Jan Frohne The real estate company Engel & Völkers is the new official partner of the Road2LA initiative, which is supporting German versatility on the way to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
That is the goal of Road2LA
Road2LA was launched together with the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (DOKR) and focuses specifically on supporting selected rider-horse combinations with good prospects. The core of the initiative is a high-potential group of up to eight pairs who are supported both structurally and financially on their way to the Olympics.
“Olympic Hopefuls”
Currently, these include Olympic champion Julia Krajewski with Uelzener’s Nickel and three-time Olympic champion Michael Jung with fischerSolution II, as well as Arne Bergendahl, Ben Leuwer, Pia Leuwer and Brandon Schäfer-Gehrau. The sponsored pairs receive a fixed amount that can be used freely – for example for trips to major international tournaments such as the CCI5*-L in Kentucky. The performances are continuously evaluated so that sponsorship can expire if necessary and other “Olympic Hopefuls” with greater potential can move up.
The official launch of Road2LA is planned as part of the 4* and 5* event in Luhmühlen in June 2026.
Engel & Völkers Schleswig-Holstein and Road2LA: From the paddocks in the land between the seas to L.A.
“For us, Road2LA is an affair of the heart with a home advantage,” said Christian v. Gottberg, Managing Director of Engel & Völkers Schleswig-Holstein. “Schleswig-Holstein is horse country, the Holsteiner has been one of the world’s best for generations. Part of the road to Los Angeles therefore begins here with us, in the paddocks on our doorstep.”
The aim of the collaboration is to improve the framework conditions for the athletes so that they can concentrate on their sporting preparation. Engel & Völkers sees its own corporate values – precision, trust and a high-performance environment – as a connecting element with top-class sport.
Hendrik von Paepcke, co-initiator of Road2LA, explained: “Together we are creating the conditions to prepare our athletes in the best possible way for the challenges of the coming years.”
National coach Peter Thomsen welcomes initiative
National coach Peter Thomsen sees the project as a useful addition: a broad and at the same time powerful top level is crucial – if several combinations can work at the top level, this significantly increases the chances in international comparison. Dr. Dennis Peiler, CEO of Equestrian Sport Germany, emphasized that the initiative shows how modern top-class sport promotion can work and creates additional opportunities that should strengthen the path to Los Angeles.
Road2LA sees itself as a privately supported additional format for the promotion of German eventing with a clear international perspective. Networking and the opportunity to inspire new people for the sport of eventing are further approaches of the initiative.
