1. The Berlin/Brandenburg tournament of the Missouri Foxtrotter`s

From the 4th until the 6th of August 2006 the first Berlin/ Brandenburg tournament of the Missouri Foxtrotter´s took place. The location was the "Stud Farm Ruednitz", close to Bernau.

Renate and Horst Wulsch, Annette Morell, Kathrin Mehlitz and the complete team of helpers had decided spontaneously- after the cancellation of the European Championship- to offer a substitute event.

Well, family Morell/ Wulsch, had a lot to do- to announce this tournament and to organise it. These were quite exiting six weeks: We were pleased to realise that, not long after the announcement, quite a number of participants started to register.

After the cancellation of the European Championship we were worried a bit, if only a few riders would have the motivation to come to a substitute event. But these worries disappeared quickly and we started to buy ribbons and cups. We were very happy to find sponsors which supported the event either financially or with gifts.

The weeks of preparation passed quickly and we waited for the first arrivals of the participants. Starting from the 1st of August one after the other arrived in a nice and relaxed atmosphere. The three American judges- Becky Green, Merle Arbo and Robert Woody- arrived also early on the 3rd of August.

We were aware of the fact that we had to organise successfully 150- 180 starts during the three days of the competition. Because we had never organised such a tournament by ourselves before, we were quite nervous. But after the first two classes we relaxed, because we realised that everything was well prepared and that there were no problems. Lucky us, because nothing was more important to us then being able to guarantee a smooth timing.

But of course, there was something as important to us…: The start of our trainer Bianca Küsters with our stallion "Southern Smokey" and his son (also stallion) " Southern Smokey´s Chester" We would not tell the truth if we would not admit, that these starts were the highlights for us, also during the exciting preparation time…

The opening ceremony made us all quite sentimental for some minutes, because now was the start for our first tournament. After the hymns of the participating countries USA, Austria and Germany were played, Horst held his opening speech. Also Sabine Kalischer, the speaker, who commented the whole event, held a small speech.

Friday morning started with the model classes. Bianca, by the way pregnant for six month already, entered the riding indoor arena with "Southern Smokey's Chester" on the leading rope. Model of the junior horses 3 and 4 years was going on- and one could really say it this way: They entered, saw (were seen) and won- Place one for the offspring of the Southern Sunrise-Line= "Southern Smokey's Chester".

Of course we were also proud of the second place, which is an offspring of our stallion "Magnum Force C.": Starter No 3,: "Magnum's Piccolino" presented by his owner Stephanie Mathes.

Next was model of the senior horses 4 years and older. This time Bianca entered the indoor riding arena with starter no 15, "Southern Smokey". Our joy didn't stop, because also in this competition Bianca won with our favourite "Smokey".

Why should it in Europe be different from the US: Everywhere the Southern-Sunrise-Line is internationally known, appreciated and successful.

At 12.30 pm the first gait class started: Performance 2-Gait Senior. Bianca won with "Southern Smokey" also this competition.

At 2.00 pm, in the Western Pleasure 2-Gait of the junior horses, Bianca succeeded again with her second favourite " Chester" with place 1. In the competition our stallion "Southern Smokey's Chester" won clearly with seven points before the second winner. All three judges voted him with the highest score in this class.

In the "Western Pleasure 3 Gait Senior Mares" one of the offsprings of our stallion "Magnum Force C." clearly won: "Lady's Scarlett" was sold to family Stößer 6 years ago.

At 3.30 pm the riding arena was totally quiet: The horsemanship of the young riders started. We all were 4 times as nervous because 4 youngsters from our breeding were performing. "Flashey's Little Jeany", "Magnum's Geno" and "Magnum's Sunshine" all three from our stallion "Magnum Force C." , and "Southern Bel-Ami" from our stallion "Southern Smokey".

The results: "Southern Bel-Ami" shown by Sandra Weimann won the 2nd place, "Magnum's Geno", shown by Stephanie Weimann 4th place," Magnum's Sunshine" shown by Jacqueline Zachert 5th place and" Flashey's Little Jeany" shown by Charleen von Kolpinski won the 6th place.

The Saturday started for Bianca and us as well as the day before:

The Performance 2 Gait Junior Bianca and Chester won again with 7 points distance to the second place.

11.00 am: "Lady's Scarlett", the pretty mare - owned by family Stösser - from our stallion "Magnum Force C. " could qualify with place 3 for the final of the Performance 3-Gait- we were very proud of them! We would like to mention that Doreen Zenker started riding Foxtrotters only 5 month ago!

11.45 am: We were very happy again, because Bianca and our stallion "Southern Smokey" qualified for the final of the Performance 3-Gait with place 2.

3.00 pm, the "Performance 2-Gait young riders" started: A "Magnum Force C." -offspring won- the mare "Flashey's Little Jeany", presented by the 10year old Charleen von Kolpinski. Right after this competition the "Performance 2-Gait amateurs" started : Again Charleen with " Jeany" succeeded by being the second place!

Also on Sunday Bianca started early in the morning with "Chester" in the class "Trail 2-Gait Junior" : And the flow of blue ribbons for the stud farm Ruednitz continued…

The next and last victory on Sunday Bianca achieved with "Southern Smokey" in the "Horsemanship 3-Gait Senior". Again she presented a demonstration of harmony between rider and horse….

All of our horses go often on rides in the countryside for riding lessons as well.

This shows that it is possible to own a Foxtrotter for multiple reasons: You can go on relaxed trails- but you can be successful in competitions as well.

The team Ruednitz wants to thank all horses, participants, helpers and sponsors for the support:

Helpers

Kathrin Mehlitz, Bianca Küsters, Dirk Weiermann, Lothar Rowe, Michael von Kolpinski, Sabine Kalischer, Detlef Jahn, Harald Braun, Rainer Czaika, Frank Marschallek, Lisa das Schleifenmädchen, Detlef Rücker, Gerd Nehls, Julia Kowski

sowie

1. The Berlin/Brandenburg tournament of the Missouri Foxtrotter`s

Helpers

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