Vanessa Bölting, a 43-year-old rider from Münster, Germany, made history at the 2024 Karpatia Horse Show, riding her horses to victory in all three categories of the International Eventing Competition – CCI*, CCI 2*, and CCI 4* on the same day. Held at the Cantacuzino Estate in Florești, Prahova, between September 27th and 29th, Karpatia Horse Show gathered riders from around the world, equestrian enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
Vanessa Bölting has astounded international equestrian experts with an almost unprecedented feat: she is the first woman in the history of the sport to triumph in an Eventing Competition with dressage, cross-country, and show jumping tests, at the CCI*, CCI 2*, and CCI 4* levels, with her horses: Lady Ciacomo, Daily Spirit, and Ready to Go W. This is an extraordinary achievement, previously accomplished only once in the history of an international competition by the legendary British rider William Fox-Pitt (now retired) at a competition in Ireland. He sent his congratulations to the sportswoman through the event commentator Spencer Sturmey.
Vanessa Bölting a uimit experți internaționali ai călăriei printr-o performanță aproape unică: este prima femeie din istoria acestui sport care a triumfat în Concursul Complet cu probele dresaj, cross-country, sărituri peste obstacole, la categoriile CCI*, CCI 2* și CCI 4* la care a participat cu caii săi: Lady Ciacomo, Daily Spirit, Ready to Go W. Este o performanța extraordinară, reușită doar o singură dată în istoria unei competiții internaționale de către legendarul călăreț britanic William Fox-Pitt (acum retras din activitate) la un concurs din Irlanda. Acesta i-a transmis felicitări sportivei prin intermediul comentatorului evenimentului Spencer Sturmey .
“I traveled 2,000 kilometers from Germany to Romania without any expectations, simply with the desire to enjoy this competition. It was a huge surprise for me to achieve such equestrian success with my horses, whom I have raised and trained myself,” said Vanessa Bölting.
From Romania, Călin Nemeș (U Cluj) with Aiwan is the big winner of of the Romanian National Championship Final. Medals were also won by Viorel Bubău on Korsinaa, Adrian Gândilă on Helen and Alexandru Mălușel on Jolion Rose.
Catalina Sfetea cu calul Fortuna (clubul Frații Jderi) a fost câștigătoarea de la categoria debutanți; Dara Kabai cu calul Tara (clubul HippoHouse) a câștigat proba prenovici amatori, iar Brunet Olivia cu calul Cezar (CE Transilvania) a câștigat la categoria Ponei.
Catalina Sfetea on her horse Fortuna (Frații Jderi Club) was the winner in the novice category; Dara Kabai on her horse Tara (HippoHouse Club) won the prenovice amateur class, and Brunet Olivia on her horse Cezar (CE Transilvania) won the pony category.
Over a hundred riders from 14 equestrian clubs, aged 3 to 30, registered for the Working Equitation competition. Over the three days dedicated to dressage, speed, and maneuverability/style tests, there were 25 starts per day in various categories: from mini-workers to medium. Due to the large number of registered competitors, the competitions took place on two arenas.
Driving demonstrations have become a tradition at the Karpatia Horse Show, and drivers specially invited from Transylvania once again delivered an extraordinary performance in the
marathon and cones Two- in-Hand and Four-in-Hand Demonstrative Driving Competition.
Mihnea Vîrgolici, the Event Director, stated: “Karpatia Horse Show is making history in equestrian sports. It’s the only competition in Romania in recent decades that continues to attract 4* riders, even in years when the event is not an Olympic qualifier. As organizers, we feel like pioneers building something unique in Romania around a niche discipline within a niche sport. Vanessa Bölting, the first rider from Germany to participate in an International Eventing Competition in our country, achieved an incredible victory: winning the Eventing Competition in all three categories with her horses! Such a victory has only been achieved once before in the history of eventing, by the legendary William Fox-Pitt (now retired) at a competition in Ireland.
This historic moment amazed representatives of the International Equestrian Federation and the Romanian Equestrian Federation alike, as well as equestrian enthusiasts from all over the world and the large number of spectators. We were delighted by the massive turnout of the public, who stayed in the stands under umbrellas or raincoats to not miss the end of the event. We are happy to see that, from one edition to the next, we have managed to build a community around this sport and have a loyal audience that has stayed with us, even on a Sunday with predicted extreme weather conditions.”
Throughout the three-day event, spectators enjoyed a true equestrian festival. They attended a Dressage Masterclass with Spencer Sturmey (a 58 rider from Great Britain and Eurosport commentator for the recent Complete Competition at the Paris Olympics) and Cristina Călin, an athlete with extensive experience in the art of dressage, perfected at the elite French Equestrian Federation School, Cadre Noir, and subsequently in Great Britain and Dubai, from where she returned to Europe to win the Balkan Dressage Championship.
The public also enjoyed outdoor concerts on the Petit Trianon Stage with the bands Sarmalele Reci, Leoaia, and soloists Jazzy Jo and Mihail, performing rock, jazz, and indie-pop.
The elegance parade made a grand return to the main arena, featuring stunning displays of driving skill by members of the Morgan Club, accompanied by elegant spectators who took part in an style contest and won invitations to the “Singureni Manor Polo Cup”, the first polo tournament to be held in Romania on October 11-13 in Singureni. The prize was awarded by His Excellency Massimo Baggi, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, a surprise guest who added to the lifestyle moment, as he is himself a polo player. Meanwhile, riders, members of the FER and FEI, enjoyed a conceptual dinner with local cuisine offered by Satul Banului, Bloom the World, and Glamour Floors.
“I am very proud of the events organized on the Cantacuzino Estate together with my partners from the eponymous Foundation. We wanted to open the Florești Estate to the general public and I can say that the Karpatia Horse Show event is our great achievement. 2024 was a unique year, with sporting performances that put us on the map of international equestrian sport. We enjoyed success with the public and together we experienced three days of excitement, adrenaline and joy. We are now looking forward to the 10th edition, an anniversary edition for which we are already preparing”, said Irina Bossy-Ghica, heiress of the Cantacuzino Estate.
Karpatia Horse Show was a nice opportunity to socialize with business partners and friends in the VIP tent, spectacularly decorated with equestrian-themed décor elements; or in nature, in the large leisure area, arranged around a centuries-old tree on the Cantacuzino Estate.
This year, participants once again enjoyed a modern camping area, with the opportunity to relax with their families on picnics, take part in recreational activities, and enjoy children’s play areas, and of course, the thrill of horse racing.
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Organizers: Karpatia Horse Show 2024, 9th Edition, is an event organized by: Hipohouse Equestrian Association, Domeniul Cantacuzino, Rumor Consult in partnership with the International Equestrian Federation and the Romanian Equestrian Federation.
Partner for innovation: Pluriva
Sponsors: Engie, Procema, Gonzales Group, Autoklass, Michelin, Team Telecom, Glamour Floors, Bucovina, Zetea, Serve
Parteneri Scena Micul Trianon: CulturAll Inclusive 21, Stage Media Expert
Partners: Pentru Cai, Simar, MSl Logistic
Main Media Partner: Magic FM
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Local Media Partners: Transilvania Business, Grupul Observatorul Prahovean, Columna TV, Dada TV, Radio Sun City, Generatia lui John, Ziarul de Prahova. Prahova News, Ziarul Oglinda de azi, Universul argeșean, Ziarul Argeșul
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