01 Sep BEMER Riders Tour: Belgium calling: Great entries for the CSI Azelhof
(Koningshooikt / Lier) Belgium is calling: From 1 – 4 September, the BEMER Riders Tour heads to the Azelhof equestrian centre in Lier, near Antwerp, for the Azelhof CSI3*. Four days of show jumping are on the programme and the focus is on the sixth leg of the international jumping series. The winner of the fifth leg, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann from Pinneberg, is also taking part.
Only three points separate the 41-year-old from the top spot after her brilliant victory at the CSI Münster and her win of the first leg of the season in Hagen a.T.W.. The 2010 World Team Champion and overall winner of the Riders Tour 2015 will be facing stiff international competition in Lier. For example Denis Lynch from Ireland, who became “Rider of the Year” in 2010, and also Emanuele Camilli (Italy), who secured third place in the BEMER Riders Tour rating competition in Münster. Dutch rider Remco Been, winner of the third stage in Ommen, also wants to “chase points” again at Lier.
Already on Friday afternoon, 2 September, the qualifier will be decided in the Stephex Arena Azelhof. The best 50 pairs of this international jumping competition with jump-off, including the pre-qualified riders (top three, top 25 WRL) will then start in reverse order in the BEMER Riders Tour Grand Prix on Sunday, 4 September. This Grand Prix will be decided as an international jumping competition with two rounds. The best 25 percent of the first round, but at least all pairs with zero faults, will reach the second round.
Premiere in Belgium
The BEMER Riders Tour is making its first stop in Belgium, yet it was also a Belgian who jumped into the top three of the 2021 season ranking at the Tour Finale in April 2022. Dominique Hendrickx conquered second place behind Patrick Stühlmeyer (Mühlen) in a “surprise coup”. Now the equestrian centre Azelhof Horse Events hosts the sixth leg and impresses with top conditions. Two large outdoor arenas and a big indoor arena offer space for a lavish jumping programme. Azelhof hosts shows all year round, ranging from training days to the CSI3* BEMER Riders Tour. Show director Mike Hazelbroek is looking forward to the tour project: “It’s good — a win-win situation for everyone — the series gets a new location and we have the chance to become even better known abroad.”
Tour feeling for over 20 years
The series was founded in 2001 by Paul Schockemöhle and Ullrich Kasselmann and has been held with a changing number of stages ever since. The principle of the series follows sporting aspects. Those, who ride well and successfully should and must have the chance to remain in the series. Therefore, the top three riders of the current ranking are always allowed to start at the next stage in order to maximise their chances. Even in the pandemic year 2021, it was possible to host six stages of the BEMER Riders Tour. Now the series even includes eight locations in four countries.
Ranking BEMER Riders Tour after five of eight legs
1. Sophie Hinners (GER), 43 points
2. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER), 40
3. Emanuele Camili (ITA), 25
4. Mario Stevens (GER), 23
5. Mathias Norhaeden Johansen (DEN), 20
5. David Will (GER), 20
5. Remco Been (NED), 20
8. Wolfgang Puschak (GER), 19
9. Marcus Ehning (GER), 18
10. André Thieme (GER), 17
10. Felix Haßmann (GER), 17
10. Oliver Lazarus (RSA), 17
10. Julia Houtzager-Kayser (NED), 17
10. Maximilian Weishaupt (GER), 17
Stages BEMER Riders Tour 2022/23
1. CSI4* Horses & Dreams meets Canada, Hagen a.T.W., (GER) 20. – 24. April 2022
2. CSI2* Pferd International München (GER), 26. – 29. Mai 2022
3. CSI3* Ommen (NED), 6. – 10. Juli 2022
4. Fest der Pferde – CSI2*, RZ Freese, Donaueschingen (GER) 28. – 31. Juli 2022
5. CSI4* Turnier der Sieger, Münster (GER) 25. – 28. August 2022
6. CSI3* BEMER Riders Tour Azelhof, Lier (BEL), 1. – 4. September 2022
7. CSI2* Wiener Neustadt (AUT), 6. – 9. Oktober 2022
8. CSI3* VR CLASSICS, Neumünster (GER) 16. – 19. Februar 2023
Photo: Also riding in Lier, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann – now ranking second in the BEMER Riders Tour © Stefan Lafrentz