Raphael Netz and Glamourdoc from Schäftlarn have qualified for the finals of the Nuremberg Burg Cup

It was still dry when the first pair entered the arena at the Fichtenhof in Schäftlarn to compete in the sixth of eight qualifying rounds for the 2026 Nuremberg Burg Cup. But then the heavens opened and a steady downpour set in, putting an end to the drought that had plagued southern Germany in recent weeks. Raphael Netz and Glamourdoc were the first pair to compete after the break.

“Dancing in the Rain” would have been the perfect background music. Despite the conditions, the pair put on a magnificent performance with carefully crafted highlights, led by team world champion Netz, who earned every point he could—from the very first to the very last salute. The eight-year-old Westphalian Glamourdoc—son of four-time world champion Glamourdale out of a dam by Millennium—didn’t always make it easy for him. He repeatedly whinnied after his friends in the warm-up arena and eyed every corner. But Netz, with his calm, precise handling, gave the black horse all the confidence and consistency he needed. As a result, the pair delivered a ride full of highlights and free of mistakes. Heike Kemmer, riding H, gave Netz a 9.5 for seat and aids. She was right. The way Netz guided Glamourdoc through the test was, once again, a spectacular display. They received 73.950 percent for it. That meant victory today.

To make it to Frankfurt, however, the two would also have to win tomorrow or finish second with a high score. Netz would certainly deserve it.

Aringer on the Attack

Another rider who would also like to go to Frankfurt is Sina Aringer. Just last weekend, she won the Bundeschampionat title with Bonds in Gold in the four-year-old stallion class in Warendorf; today, she placed second in the Burg-Pokal qualifier riding the eight-year-old Oldenburg mare Dalma Sia Bellante by Secret. The pair delivered a relaxed, natural ride, characterized by rhythmically steady suppleness and good balance. One might have imagined some moments carried even more beautifully on the hind leg, but the mare seemed thoroughly content at every moment and was full of enthusiasm for the work. The pirouettes, especially the one to the right, were already well-developed; the transitions into the double half-traversals were smooth; and the flying changes were executed cleanly. The one to the right isn’t quite as fluid as the one to the left yet. But 73.20 percent speaks for itself—it was a successful round.

One for the Future

Lena Haßmann secured third place with Vitafina Amour PS von Bellin OLD, an eight-year-old Oldenburg mare who is incredibly lively at a trot and incredibly hardworking at a canter. The suffixes in her name say it all: PS stands for Paul Schockemöhle, at whose Lewitz Stud the Vitalis daughter was born, and “von Bellin” refers to the owners, the von Bellin Stud. Despite all the dynamic movement the mare brings to the arena, Lena Haßmann had to be careful time and again to maintain a relaxed, forward flow. She succeeded in doing so in most cases. At a walk, however, the mare held back. This was likely the reason why the four-beat rhythm wasn’t as clear as it should have been. Haßmann also had her work cut out for her in the right-hand pirouette, keeping the mare in front of her—something she had managed excellently on the left. Once all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, there’s likely to be significantly more potential than today’s 72.780 percent.

Four-time Olympic champion in constant action

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl had to switch from one saddle to another today. She had already brought two horses with her just for the Nuremberg Burg Cup. First up was the seven-year-old Hanoverian Singleton by Secret-Damsey, who has been based in Aubenhausen for about two years. Singleton, too, audibly missed his companions, but remained focused and delivered a rather nice performance, though his pirouettes to the right—both at a walk and a gallop—still had room for improvement. In addition, his flying changes weren’t quite there yet. With a score of 70 percent, the pair did not place in the end. But there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

Jessi’s second horse in the competition is also only seven years old and comes from a Hanoverian breeding line: the mare Feliciana BB by Follow Him’s Schönweide out of a Benicio dam. The mare is a close relative of Ferdinand BB, whom Jessica von Bredow-Werndl trained from his days as a young horse all the way up to the Grand Prix. Feliciana’s dam is a half-sister to Ferdinand. Both were bred by Bernhard Sieverding, and like her half-uncle, Feliciana also came to Aubenhausen at a very young age. Today she showed her talent, but also had some moments where she was still very “green.” The entire canter sequence was not very collected and was ridden very cautiously by Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. The mare did not make any major mistakes in the dressage movements, but she did not really have to carry her weight in the pirouettes, barely bent in the half-passes, and was able to tackle the flying changes practically at a medium canter. With a score of 72.220 percent, the pair placed fourth.

Stars of Tomorrow

Just in time for Saturday’s second highlight at the Fichtenhof—the Intermédiaire II for the Derby “Stars of Tomorrow”—the sun was shining once again on the arena. Here, Ann-Cathrin Rieg—who placed sixth in the 2025 Piaff Promotion Prize—and her magnificent riding pony stallion Steendiek’s Derrick prevailed over the competition with a score of 72.410 percent. Rudolf Widmann, riding Romantic Prinz—a son of Rock Forever—took second place with a score of 72.110 percent. Carina Scholz and the 11-year-old Hanoverian Fideleo, a son of Finest, rounded out the top three.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl rode her third horse of the day, the Hanoverian stallion Dancier Gold. Although he is a son of Dancier and thus a half-brother to her tragically deceased Diallo, he otherwise has little in common with the lively gelding. Where Diallo almost had too much drive, Dancier Gold tends to need a bit of coaxing. The trot sequence, however, went really well for the pair, with beautiful extensions, expressive moments of passage, and piaffes that are on the right track. At a walk, however, Dancier Gold didn’t quite manage to achieve a relaxed stride, and he was similarly hesitant at a canter. As a result, during the left pirouette, he fell well behind the driving aid and lost his balance. That cost them dearly. The right pirouette was somewhat better, and the flying changes were also successful. All in all, they scored 70.220 percent today and finished in fourth place.

Grand Prix Special

Saturday’s events at the Fichtenhof concluded with Part II of the Grand Tour, the Grand Prix Special. Here, the two fourth-place finishers from the U25 German Championships, Fiona Serafina Lukas and Aragorn, managed to finish ahead of the Grand Prix winners, Raphael Netz and Vita di Lusso. Fiona and her Oldenburg stallion, a son of Antango, performed particularly well in the first half of the Special, with its many transitions between strong trot and passages. The same was true for the final movements. All in all, the pair scored 71.80 percent.

Netz and Vita di Lusso—which he is currently riding as a substitute for his girlfriend Selina Söder and may eventually take over permanently (that’s still unclear, as he explained yesterday)—were nonetheless clearly ahead in terms of scores for nearly the entire test. But a few major mistakes—in the left-side half-pass at a canter, in the single changes, and in the piaffe on the finish line—proved costly. With a score of 71.330 percent, they took second place today.

You can find all the results from Schäftlarn here.