GCT Vienna: In addition to show jumping, there will also be a foal auction and dressage competitions in front of Schönbrunn Palace

The Global Champions Tour is usually a pretty run-of-the-mill event. The team show jumping events take place on one day as part of the Global Champions League, with the Grand Prix serving as the highlight—which is then called the LGCT Grand Prix of wherever the competition is being held at the time. The supporting program includes CSI2* show jumping and classes for younger horses.

GCT Stage in Vienna-Schönbrunn

This weekend, the stage will take place in the Ehrenhof of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The palace, with its 1,441 rooms, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the epitome of the Habsburg Monarchy, provides a backdrop that’s also perfect for dressage. It’s not just the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School who are coming to Schönbrunn for exhibition performances. A Grand Prix (Friday, September 25, 12:00 p.m.) and a freestyle competition on Saturday evening under floodlights starting at 8:30 p.m. have also been scheduled.

Vienna, Werth, Weihegold—and Hemmer

Six nations have been invited to the CDI4* event at Schönbrunn Palace: in addition to Austria, these are Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada. Representing Germany, Isabell Werth will ride Viva Gold OLD and Katharina Hemmer will ride Special Gold PCH OLD to the Danube. Thus, two descendants of Weihegold will take to the arena in front of the palace where Empress Elisabeth—“Sisi”—once had her riding outfit made from deerskin.

“

Westfalen goes Vienna

”

There will also be a foal auction. The Westphalian Horse Stud Book is traveling to Vienna for this event. The collection includes foals with show jumping pedigrees, including one bred by the Krehl stable in Lenzke, Brandenburg. The sire is J-Nius V.V. Z., whose coat color is currently extremely popular. The dam, Kasamona by Kasanova de la Pomme, was herself successful in competition.

Click here for the program at Schönbrunn