08 Jan Neumünster New Year’s resolutions: Who is planning to start at the VR CLASSICS 2025?
(Neumünster) The excitement is building: in five weeks’ time, from 13 to 16 February, the 74th edition of the VR CLASSICS Neumünster will take place in the Holstenhallen in Neumünster. Four absolute highlights are on the programme with the 38th FEI Dressage World Cup™, the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Grand Prix, the 30th anniversary of the equestrian clubs‘ show jumping competition and the final of the HGW Federal Young Riders’ Championships. Three more world-ranking show jumping competitions, an international youngster tour, indoor events and a wide range of national competitions leave nothing to be desired for riders and visitors alike. The classic show always attracts many stars of the scene to Neumünster, some top riders have already confirmed their participation before the official closing date for entries on 24 January.
Ingrid Klimke plans World Cup start
‘Absolutely I’m coming to Neumünster! – Riding champion Ingrid Klimke has the VR CLASSICS firmly in her calendar. In typical ‘Ingrid style’, she saddled up in two disciplines in 2024 and plans to do so again. ‘SAP Freudentänzer will go Grand Prix and Special, First Class will start in the World Cup Tour and I will probably bring EQUISTRO’s Siena just do it for the indoor eventing,’ Klimke revealed her plans. The multiple Olympic, World and European champion enjoys being in Neumünster, the organisation, horse and rider welfare are perfectly coordinated, she says: ‘And then you always enjoy coming. You get the feeling that you are very welcome there and the atmosphere is simply fantastic. Riding the World Cup freestyle in the sold-out arena in front of a knowledgeable audience that really goes along with you is just great. But Neumünster also has this cosy and familiar atmosphere, almost a bit small and snuggly, you can just have a chat anywhere – in the warm-up arena or at the stands, for example.’
Multistarts for an all-rounder: Paula de Boer-Schwarz
Paula de Boer-Schwarz caused a slight sensation at the last VR CLASSICS when she competed with six horses in five different tours. The versatile rider also has big plans for 2025: ‘I would absolutely love to compete in all three disciplines again, as almost no other show allows that! That made last year very special and was the start of a great season. The attention grew and then came the success, somehow it all fell into place!’ The reigning national champion from Schleswig-Holstein has really taken off in recent months, most recently placing in the Grand Prix of Frankfurt. ‘The VR CLASSICS is the show where you used to go to see the big names ride. It’s already special enough to ride there, but I hope that I can show nice rounds again, that my horses present themselves well and that I can perhaps take home a ribbon or two,’ says the Stipsdorf resident happily.
Home competition firmly on the calendar for Christian Hess
Christian Hess can’t remember his first VR CLASSICS start – ‘I’d have to lie, but it was many years ago, definitely more than 10!’ – but Neumünster is one of the most beautiful competitions for the rider from Schleswig-Holstein: ‘Because there is simply an incredible amount of horse sense and horsemanship coming together. The programme mix is great, the dressage is of course super interesting with the World Cup and the indoor show jumping is really tough, but if the horses like it, they often surpass themselves a bit.’ The international show jumper should know, he has already placed a few times with different horses in the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Grand Prix. If everything goes according to plan, Hess would like to compete in all the show jumping tours: ‘I would definitely bring a youngster and two or three older horses. Quality Time was 10th in the Grand Prix last year, he feels very comfortable in Neumünster. I’m motivated and try to keep myself and my horses fit and well prepared for the VR CLASSICS.’
Secure your tickets now
It’s worth being quick, because the show will soon be sold out for some sections of the event. Tickets are generally available in two ways: a) online at Reservix (https://vr-classics.reservix.de) and b) with personal advice via the hotline 04321-755421 or email tickets@vr-classics.de.
Important: If the desired seat is sold out online, please contact the hotline or email. There are still contingents available until the start of the tournament.
Strolling tickets for this year’s particularly large exhibition and the Kinderland (halls 4 and 5, foyer) are available online and at the box office. The sporting action in Hall 1 can also be followed on the large video wall at the warm-up arena.
A limited number of standing tickets for Hall 1 are only available at the box office. For further information, please visit our website, https://vr-classics.de.
Photo (c) Stefan Lafrentz