Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, Louisdor Prize, Piaff-Förderpreis Get Underway at Schafhof After Coronavirus Forced Move from Frankfurt

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Austria’s Sandra Nuxoll warming up at Gestüt Schafhof that is hosting the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, Louisdor Prize and Piaff-Förderpreis that were moved from the traditional Frankfurt venue because of coronavirus. © www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de/Stefan Lafrentz

KRONBERG, Germany, Dec. 18, 2020–The German series of Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, Louisdor Prize and Piaff-Förderpreis gets underway Saturday at a private estate after the finals traditionally held in Frankfurt were forced by the coronavirus to move.

The Schafhof stepped in to host the finals of the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal at Prix St. Georges for horses age seven to nine years, Louisdor Prize developing Grand Prix for horses eight to 10 years and the Piaff-Förderpreis for Under-25 riders. Riders from six nations will be competing at the finals of the series of qualifiers over summer and fall.

The estate of the Linsenhoff/Rath family was also home for the past decade of Totilas, the charismatic black stallion who died three days ago of complications from colic at the age of 20.

A total of 35 combinations will perform.

“We were all worried about whether it would work,” said Hubertus Schmidt who has horses in both the Burg-Pokal and the Louisdor as well as students, “and we are really very happy that the finals can take place.”

Norway’s Isabel Freese, based in Germany and who has been one of the stars in recent years, said she was “really shaking” with concern that the finals would be canceled altogether as the country is beginning a new lockdown.

Total Hope ridden by Isabel Freese to the 2019 Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, the German championship for seven-to-nine year-old Prix St. Georges horses. © Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

Isabell, who won the 2019 Burg-Pokal on Total Hope, a Totilas son, this year is starting Fürsten-Look and Top Gear, also a son of Totilas.

Dorothee Schneider, who qualified three horses for the Burg-Pokal but can start only two, Villeneuve and Sisters Act OLD. She will also compete First Romance in the Louisdor Prize.