The calm before the annual spring storm prevailed yesterday at the venerable riding facility in Linz-Ebelsberg. “We would like weather like this for the coming weeks,” exulted Helmut Morbitzer outside in the wonderful sunshine.
But even so, the host and his event team have a good laugh, and not just because the enchanting pony foal “Robber’s Bride” and mom “Wolke 7”, with whom they want to collect money for charitable purposes, don’t leave their side. Everything is ready to go before the start of the season next week at the Linz Horse Festival with a national show jumping tournament.
Investments of more than 150,000 euros in the infrastructure, including modernized stands and an expansion of the riding arena, have been made in the last few months. Ebelsberg should once once more be a good stage for the riders with nine events planned over 36 tournament days this year.
There will be a big gallop of national and international people, especially at the two-star show jumping (April 11-14), the three-star event a week later and also at the CSIO Youth Nations Cup tournament (May 1-5). The state championship will also take place from June 26th to 30th. “For some local show jumpers, including us, it’s still regarding the Olympic limit,” says Morbitzer.
Austria’s team has already fought for a permanent team place, aces like Stefan Eder from St. Marienkirch want to recommend themselves for the national selection, from which the nominations for Paris will be made.
Successful offspring
Things are going well for the local offspring. Morbitzer, an Olympic participant in 1996, has 17-year-old Maxima Schweiger from Pettenbach under her wing, who was the youngest participant in the traditional five-star event Saut Hermès under the Eiffel Tower in Paris on “Carribaldi” and delivered great performances last week. The 21-year-old Innviertler David Moser even managed fifth place in the U25 Grand Prix with his gray mare “Chocolat Blanc”.
Dominik Feischl
