Xenophon Special Honorary Awards for Horse-Friendly Warm-Up Techniques Presented in Bad Segeberg and Bartringen

In late September, the state competition in Bad Segeberg, Schleswig-Holstein, provided an opportunity to honor a rider with the Xenophon Special Award for horse-centered warm-up: Sophie Ludewig. She presented the seven-year-old Westphalian stallion El Dorado by Escamillo-Floriscount (breeder: Frank Moormann, owner: Hans Peter Mohr) in the Prix St. Georges. They were “one spot short” of the top three in the class. But thanks to her methodical preparation for the test, which prioritized the horse’s well-being, Sophie Ludewig was delighted to receive the Xenophon Special Honorary Award for horse-centered warm-up, a high-quality new cooling blanket with the Xenophon logo, which was presented by Xenophon Vice Chair Karin Lührs, who also helped decide on the award.

Incidentally, the fact that horse-centered training pays off even in the competition arena was evident the next day in the Intermédiaire I. The pair won that class with a score of over 71 percent.

Great Riding in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, Xenophon board member Dani Noesen ensured that riders who stood out particularly positively in both show jumping and dressage at the national championships were duly recognized. Together with Supervisory Board member Wolfgang Kutting and the state coaches Markus Wenz (show jumping) and Sascha Schulz (dressage), she selected two very deserving award recipients.

In the show jumping competition, it was Julie Thull who not only rode her mare Kansai du Gibet calmly and thoughtfully, but also stood out for her very sensitive riding. “Julie Thull exemplified that a good competition doesn’t begin when you enter the course, but rather right there in the warm-up arena,” said Dani Noesen.

In dressage, Téo Rouyr had his hands full, as he was presenting two horses: Chester Noble M and D’Ultimo M. Nevertheless, he, too, took the time each horse needed to loosen up and prepare for the work. As Dani Noesen described:

“Both horses showed signs of careful preparation. Rouyr structured his training program with great care, taking into account the specific needs of each of his horses. Particularly striking were his subtle aids and the calm, focused manner in which he worked with his horses. In the best sense of the word, he stood out for nothing other than his excellent riding. And that is precisely the message Xenophon wishes to convey with the Special Honorary Award.”

About the Xenophon Special Honor Award

Should good riding be recognized? Shouldn’t it be a given? These are the questions critics of special honor awards ask. Xenophon believes that, yes, particularly good riding should be recognized. Because reality shows that it is not a given. Conversely, riders who prepare their horses exceptionally well always deserve recognition, even if they might not win a ribbon in the competition because, for example, the horse is still too nervous. The Xenophon Special Honor Award is intended to bring them into the spotlight.

As Dani Noesen puts it: “The Xenophon Special Honorary Award is intended to deliberately highlight positive examples and thereby demonstrate what horse-friendly sports can look like. After all, the relationship between horse and rider is most immediately apparent on the warm-up arena. It’s not just about technique and performance, but also about trust, connection, and mutual respect.”

With that in mind, congratulations to the three award winners from Bad Segeberg and Bartringen!