First Xenophon Special Honorary Award 2026 awarded

The winners of the first Xenophon Special Prize for horse-friendly riding in 2026 were selected by master equestrian Alexandra Kappes, who works as a trainer at the Walldorf Riding and Racing Club, together with judges Heidi Liebherz and Kerstin Fuchs.

From the starting field for the Intermédiaire A, the selection panel was particularly impressed by Tina von Briel’s preparation with the once licensed but now laid Tallahassee. The rider had prepared the Tomahawk son extremely systematically for the test, reported Alexandra Kappes. After a calm solution phase, she introduced him to the difficult exercises step by step, always taking breaks in between and also allowing plenty of time for preparation.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite so well for Oldenburger and his rider in the test. After a few costly misunderstandings, but also some good moments, Tina von Briel decided not to score. However, it was only the third S*** test for the pair. They had made their debut at this level a few weeks ago in Sauerlach.

Nevertheless, the trip to Walldorf was well worth it. In the Intermédiaire A, the pair received the Xenophon special prize for horse-friendly riding in the form of a high-quality sweat rug. The following day, they placed third in the Intermédiaire II.

Award winner number two: Caroline Fuchs

Alexandra Kappes deliberately chose a dressage test at advanced level and an A-level dressage test to award the Xenophon Prize. “It is important to me to show that horse-friendly riding is necessary at every level and must be rewarded,” said Kappes.

In the novice class amateur dressage test, it was Caroline Fuchs (no relation to the judge) who prepared her 13-year-old Württemberg gelding Dublin by. Desiderius L particularly carefully for the test. Not only did she handle her horse with care, but as Alexandra Kappes noted particularly positively, she was also extremely fair and considerate towards her fellow riders. “In an advanced dressage test ridden by two riders, the warm-up arena is naturally fuller than in the advanced class,” said the trainer. “Although Caroline Fuchs focused on her horse, she always kept an eye on the other competitors and rode with great foresight.”

Fuchs and Dublin came eighth in the test with a score of 7.2. This put them outside the ribbon places, but they were delighted to receive the Xenophon sweat blanket.

Congratulations to the two prizewinners!