The members of the German European Championship team who rode in Fontainebleau have put the setback experienced there in the cross-country phase to the back of their minds.  Then, the team failed to get good results and a complete disaster was avoided as Michael Jung (Korb) managed to win a bronze individual medal.  At the beginning of June this year, Andreas Dibowski (Döhle) was at the top of the HSBC world ratings, closely followed by Michael Jung (5th place) and Dirk Schrade (Sprockhövel/10th place).  During an interview with Manfred Bode, ESRV media representative, Germany’s trainer Hans Melzer commented on his satisfaction and confidence when looking on towards the second part of 2010 and the highlight of this period, the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA).  These take place from 25th September to 12th October.  

Herr Melzer, is it true to say that the choice of German candidates for the World Championships has increased considerably compared to Aachen 2006 when the team title was won by the Germans?  

I’d firstly like to express my disappointment in declaring that Hinrich Romeike and Marius, the horse-rider partnership that has been with us since 2003 in many championships, will not be taking part this year.  Marius, the grey gelding, has not made a single mistake in the cross-country courses during this period but recently injured himself at the CCI Three Star in Strzegom.  It’s probable that the pastern is giving trouble again and Hinrich Romeike had to withdraw him before the vet’s inspection at the event in Poland. 
Sadly the international qualification is lacking after the break from competitions due to injury. 
But let us not dwell too much on ‘Hinni’s’ patch of bad luck as a lot of things have happened during the past years.  Having quite a few good names at the top of the starting list, we’ve been able to balance such mishaps in the team.  For example, Kai Rüder with Leprince des Bois, Simone Deitermann with Free Easy NRW, Dirk Schrade with Gadget de la Cere and King Artus, also Kai-Steffen Meier with Karascada M, Andreas Ostholt with Franco Jeas and Anna Warnecke with Twinkle Bee all in reserve on the long list. 
Of course it is pretty bitter that our double Olympic gold medal winner Heinrich Romeike will not have the chance to win again.  


The event in Schenefeld will be taking place from 26th to 29th August 2010 at the equestrian centre in Klövensteen. Will this event profit from this wide range of top-class riders?  Will really all the top eventers be participating in the World Cup class and competing for the German Championship title as last year this clashed with the World Cup final and due to this, several of the top riders were missing?  

The final decision will be made after a course specially put together for the riders on the long list has taken place.  The date set for this course is the 10th to 13th August in Warendorf.  However, the Three Star in Schenefeld is obligatory for all candidates for the World Championships and will be used as a check on their form for Kentucky. 
There’s an exception for Anna Warnecke who, if not included in the top seven on the long list, will compete at the Four Star in Burghley/ England, which takes place a week after Schenefeld. Both Marina Köhncke riding Calma Schelly and Beeke Kaack riding Sinjang will be looking towards Burghley and therefore not be present at Schenefeld.  Additionally, Peter Thomsen, whose champion mount Parco is injured and after Aachen will be setting his sights on the World Cup event in Malmö (13th to 15th August) riding his 9-year old Cayenne. 
On the other hand, Bettina Hoy and her youngster Lanfranco TSF were to be seen back amongst the German elite at the Three Star in Luhmühlen and might also be riding in the German Championships.  This could be the case with another impressive rider Anna Siemer who may be better known under her maiden name Junkmann riding Charlott and a perspective member of the group Sandra Auffahrt with Opgun Luovo.  


Am I right in saying that the cross-country at Schenefeld could be compared with the demands at the World Championships in Kentucky? 
What could you say you are expecting from the course designer Hinrich Groth jun.?    

The cross-country at Kentucky is rather hilly so cannot be compared to Schenefeld.  However, all our top riders will have prepared their horses to be in top condition by the German Championships.  Reflecting on how difficult the level will be, I am expecting a positive Three Star class with high challenges yet not asking the absolute utmost.  Hinni Groth and I share a similar philosophy so I am sure that the course will be optimized to the best.  We will have to consider what can be done if it doesn’t rain much up to the end of August and the ground is too hard.  In the worst case the tracks can be watered and the upper surface loosened with a special machine from Warendorf.  


Recently there have been irritating comments regarding Schenefeld’s future as a venue for big events. Decisions made by the FN setting the German Individual Championships (which have been run at the Elbdörfer und Schenefleder Reiterverein since 2006) to be in 2011 and 2012 in Luhmühlen have caused a few problems with officials and helpers.  Meanwhile, discussions have quietened down a little but it would be helpful if you could add a few comments on this matter.  

First of all, Schenefeld still remains our most important event venue after Luhmühlen.  Cooperation with Hinni Groth and his team is excellent.  Looking back to the past, we have always had superb conditions in spite of turns in the weather and riders have been well looked after and felt at ease.  Considering these factors, the German Championships could carry on being run at Klövensteen.  However, the dates of the next championships have forced us to rethink this.  Seeing as the European Championships in Luhmühlen would clash with the date for Schenefeld and the 2012 Olympic Games in London take place already at the end of July, it has been necessary to search for alternatives.  With these matters to reflect upon, it was naturally Hinni Groth’s task to take this all into consideration and publicize the fact that the German Championships should be passed on to Luhmühlen.  Unfortunately this did not happen and led to a misunderstanding.  


Which alternative dates are you looking at for the Three Day Event in Schenefeld in the next two years?  

From my point of view, I could imagine either the second or third week in September.  This could then be used as a preparation for the international autumn events such as Boekelo, Lion d’Angers and Pau. 
As there is no other event which is so renowned and with such a  positive image elsewhere in Europe for this time in the eventing calendar, Schenefeld would sure to have plenty of starters listed. 
I’ve heard from Hinrich Groth though that he has been thinking of a date in July.  In 2012 everything seems to be open so after the Olympic Games a date at the end of August could come into consideration.  


This year there will be for the first time two show-jumping classes on the Saturday after the cross-country phase and on the Sunday after the end of the event.  What is your opinion of this new concept?  

The show in Bonn-Redderberg has had great success with this combination and has seen an increase in spectators. 
I can imagine this could also function well for Schenefeld.  A great idea as introducing a qualification for the international tour at the Baltic Horse Show in Kiel is certain to attract an interesting field of participants.