RT Inhalt 2017 web_Leseprobe

Top 3 in Paderborn: Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Marcus Ehning (GER) & Toni Haßman (GER)
The fifth stage of the DKB-Riders Tour is always the
last outdoor show of the season. The sky above the
showground in Paderborn was a bit overcast at
times, but the sun came out just in time for the DKB-
Riders Tour qualifier and points classes, much to the
relief of thousands of equestrian sport fans, horses
and riders. The course was tricky because it asked a
lot of questions that could be answered – but not
easily. One rider managed to make it look like a
breeze though. Markus Ehning – winner of the DKB-
Riders Tour points class with a round that would
have got him top scores for style. He’s the 2016 title
defender and number one again in Paderborn.
Paderborn showground is autumnal, welcoming
5 th stage Paderborn
Autumn, title defender, Paderborn – the countdown’s started…
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) & Calle
and a great place to relax after a long season. That’s
one of the reasons why it attracts so many riders
and spectators. Another is the top jumping programme.
Markus Ehning demonstrated all the qualities
of his horse, Comme Il Faut, and everyone was
rooting for them. He was competing against some
pretty big names: Christian Rhomberg (AUT) the
rider in the top spot on the DKB-Riders Tour leaderboard,
World Champion Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED),
Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Meredith
Michaels-Beerbaum, Markus Beerbaum and Ludger
Beerbaum.
Despite that, like last year, it was Ehning’s weekend.
The Westphalia-based rider and Funky Fred won the
Marcus Ehning (GER) & Comme Il Faut
Janne F. Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) & Büttner’s Minimax
DKB-Riders Tour qualifier class with an impressive
performance on the Saturday. Funky Fred is a big
chestnut with a wide blaze and an unconventional
jump by For Pleasure out of a mare called Panama,
Ehning’s former Grand Prix horse.
The results in Paderborn weren’t unusual, and it
often happens at this stage that the favourites either
don’t score any points at all or don’t score
enough to get a decisive lead – with one exception.
Philip Rüping, the rider who came third overall in
the 2016 series, moved up to second place in the
tour ranking. Rüping, who has his yard in Lower Saxony,
came seventh in the points class, which put him
in second place behind Austrian rider Rhomberg.
Only two points separate them now, which is practically
nothing, so the final stage in Munich looks
set to be an exciting one.
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Three questions, three answers – Marcus Ehning
Fotos: S. Lafrentz (3), T. Hellmann (1)
Comme il Faut is a top horse and he always
seems to be bursting with energy, yet he’s so
calm and quiet at the prize giving. How does that
work?
Ehning: “Commi’s a really well-behaved horse –
both under the saddle and in the stable. I think it’s
because he trusts me and because we’ve been together
for so long. It’s the result of years of work.“
Does he have any weaknesses – for carrots, sugar
cubes or whatever?
Ehning: “He loves eating, so we have to watch out
that he doesn’t put on too many pounds. But we
don’t really give him many treats. We don’t pamper
him because he can get a bit above himself at
times. But he’s a kind horse and we treat him
well.”
You bred Funky Fred yourself. Does that make a
win more special?
Ehning: “Yes, sure. And he’s often had to take a back
seat because he’s our own horse. The horses we ride
for other owners always have to come first. But he’s
shown how good he is in so many Nations Cups and
big Grand Prix classes. He was also nominated for
the Europeans, so he’s got nothing more to prove.”
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