15 August 2016

Lähden: Georg von Stein German four-in-hand champion

The German town of Lähden, home of international four-in-hand driver Christoph Sandmann was this past weekend the mecca of the driving world. The German team drivers competed not only against their international collegues, but also among themselves for the national title and a place on the team representing Germany at the World Championships in Breda next month. Georg von Stein won both the CAI3* and the championship, and along with the five driviers who followed him in the results they secured their invitations to Breda.

The 43 year old Von Stein won the title for the third time in his career. He began the competition with a fourth place in the dressage and therefore had to turn up the heat in the marathon. Even with slight problems in two obstacles, he managed to post fast times and not only won the marathon, but had such a lead going into the cones that very little could happen to ruin his chances of winning the title. With only a few penalty points for time he also won the cones securing his place at the top of the podium.

Rainer Duen won silver and host Christoph Sandmann bronze. Defending champion Michael Brauchle followed in fourth place, dressage winner Mareike Harm in fifth and Rene Poensgen in sixth. The CAI3* in Läden was also a qualifier for the World Cup and son József jr. and father József sr. placed second and third respectively.