Darmstadt-Kranichstein. The big championship weekend at the Hofgut Kranichstein came to an end with final tests at a high level, an impressive integration of para sports and great response among riders and the audience. Together with the Kranichstein riding club and the organizer Kranichstein, the horse sports association Hessen invited events to a tournament that united sportiness, inclusion and atmosphere.
Equestrian sport at a top level-and with heart
"This is the best facility we have in Hesse for what we want here," said Hendrik Langenke, managing director of the Hesse equestrian association. "Dressage, jumping, both at a high level, plus the para dressage-we have ideal conditions here." Not only the quality of the exams, but also the supporting program-such as the evening off-road jumping and the ceremonial eight team ceremony-attracted numerous spectators.
"It is important to us to make as many people as possible an offer in equestrian sport - from amateur to top sport," said Langenke. "Yesterday was our main day, today it's about the final exams and championship ceremonies. And the conditions here are also ideal for this - whether in the jumping park or on the dressage corners lined with trees."
A special moment of the tournament was the sighting to the German Youth Championship -for many young dressage riders and a sporty and emotionally significant stage.
Paraddressors: Riding without exclusion
Another important and touching part of the tournament: the integration of the paradise into the championship framework. Cora Feldmann, responsible for inclusion in the Association and even chair of RSV Rüsselsheim, reported pride:
"We founded the Hessian Paradressur squad about two years ago - with six now, maybe even seven members since today. A new rider has today interested in joining the squad."
Feldmann emphasized that the para athletes compete primarily for one reason:
"You just want to ride. With fun, with ambition, with your horse. It's not about the disability, but about sport. Just like the show jumpers or dressage riders in regular sports."
What is a matter of course in Kranichstein is often an exception elsewhere. This is exactly where Detlev Müller in, himself a former paradresser and now a nationwide active coordinator.
"What we do here is unique. It's not just about tournaments - it's about structure, visibility, about the connection to regular sports."
Müller brings para competitions into existing tournaments nationwide-with success:
"We had 17 tournaments for the first time this year with integrated paradresses - that has never been the case." He not only ensures organization, but also for education:
"I often moderate the exams myself. Because the audience should understand what it sees. What restrictions are there, how are the degrees built - I want people to understand what these riders do."
The passion is noticeable to him:
"Especially with the heavily disabled degrees, riding is often the only thing that people in life can really experience. And they pull through that - until it is no longer possible. That deserves the greatest respect."
Conclusion: a tournament that sets standards
Even if the final ranking lists have not yet been published at the time of reporting: the Hessian championships 2025 at the Kranichstein Hofgut were a complete success - sporty, organizational, human.
"We have a strong starting field, strong viewer response and a clear signal: equestrian sport in Hesse is open, professional and ready for the future," summarizes Hendrik Langenke.
