The Frankfurter Festhalle as an impressive backdrop for the International Festhalle Riding Tournament Frankfurt The picture underlines the special atmosphere of the traditional event, which presents top-class sport, dressage and show jumping at the highest level.

The International Festhalle Riding Tournament Frankfurt

Equestrian Sport
Reading time: 8 minutes

Autorin: Nele Schimmelpfennig

The IFRF is the meeting place for the best riders just before Christmas. Here you can find out everything about the IFRF, the winners of the most important exams, the history of the tournament and the broadcast dates.

Table of Contents

Where can you watch International Festival Hall Riding Tournament in Frankfurt live?

The International Festival Hall Riding Tournament in Frankfurt can be streamed LIVE on ClipMyHorse.TV from December 16 to 20, 2026. Don't miss the highlight of equestrian sports.

💡 Watch IFRF 2026 live on ClipMyHorse.TV!
Be live as the athletes compete during the Christmas season in the Frankfurt Festhalle – an event full of emotion and top-class sport.

Anyone who has ever visited the international Festhallen - Riding Tournament in Frankfurt in December knows how wonderful this horse event is. Apart from the top-class starting field, the Festhallen Tournament is also impressive due to its location and atmosphere. The international Festhallen Riding Tournament in Frankfurt is an outstanding event that presents the fascination of equestrian sport in all its splendor. For many years, this tournament has attracted riders, spectators an

History of equestrian shows: A history of tradition and innovation

The origins of the festival hall riding tournament go back a long way and have developed over the years into an integral part of the international equestrian calendar. From humble beginnings to a globally recognized event, the tournament has continued to develop.

Year Event
1955 Founding of the Frankfurt Festhalle Horse Show by Josef Neckermann with a budget of 800 DM.
1971 The tournament is discontinued after 16 years.
1989 The tournament is revived by the Frankfurt Riding and Driving Club, the City of Frankfurt, and the German Equestrian Federation.
1991 SKU Veranstaltungs GmbH becomes the main sponsor and organizer, but faces criticism for removing regional parts of the event.
2002 Dr. Kaspar Funke becomes the new organizer via Escon Marketing GmbH after the separation from Paul Schockemöhle.
2003 Thanks to Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Manfred Louven, the tournament takes place despite the risk of cancellation. New program items are introduced.
2005 Introduction of a Dressage World Cup qualifier.
2012 PST Marketing GmbH, owned by Paul Schockemöhle, takes over the organization.
2018 Last tournament under the organization of PST Marketing GmbH.
2019 Oceanside GmbH & Co. KG under Matthias Rath becomes the new organizer. International dressage classes are upgraded to CDI 5* level.
2020-2021 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament does not take place in the Festhalle, but as the “Schafhof Edition” at the Linsenhoff-Rath family’s Schafhof in Kronberg.
2021 Oceanside GmbH & Co. KG is renamed to Schafhof Connects GmbH & Co. KG.
To this day Schafhof Connects GmbH & Co. KG organizes the tournament as well as other equestrian sport events.

The highlights of the festival hall horse show in Frankfurt

The festival hall horse show in Frankfurt is an important event in the equestrian calendar. Various tests in the disciplines of dressage and show jumping offer exciting competitions and attract both riders and horse lovers from all over the world.

Nürnberger Burg-Pokal final

The finale of Nürnberger Burg-Pokals The dressage rider is an annual highlight. After the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday morning, the best 7 to 9-year-old dressage horses will compete in the Prix St. Georg Special. The 2019 exam is endowed with prize money of 10,000€. The top three couples have the chance to compete again in the winning prize in the evening to secure 3,000€. You can find out more about the Nuremberg Castle Cup and the winners of previous finals at the Frankfurter Festhalle in our article on Nürnberger Burg-Pokal experienced.

Final Louisdor Prize

Since 2012, the final of the Louisdor Prize, the next age group of dressage horses, has been represented in Frankfurt. The series allows eight to ten-year-old horses to be introduced to dressage tests at Grand Prix level. The final offers a run-in test and a final test with prize money of around 20,000€.

Louisdor Prize winners:

These horses and their riders have already won the Louisdor Prize:
(until 2011, the final did not take place in Frankfurt)

➡️ Video tip: Louisdor Prize final 2023 — Grand Prix of Young Horses
In an interview: winner of the Louisdor Prize 2023, Beata Stremler gives insights about her horse Princess Bea OLD. She also affectionately calls the Oldenburg mare princess.

Reiterin Beata Stremler in an interview at the Louisdor Prize 2023, right after her ride with Fürstin Bea OLD in the festively decorated Frankfurt Festhalle.

Grand Prix Special

Since 2012, the Grand Prix Spécial has been held as part of the festival hall horse show. The qualifying stage is the Grand Prix de Dressage, and the prize money in 2019 is 30,000€. Until 2015, the competition was part of the Meggle Champions, a national dressage series.

Winner of the Grand Prix Spécial in Frankfurt:

➡️ Video tip: The Story of Bella Rose
Dive into the moving story of one of the greatest dressage mares of our time — emotional, inspiring and with unique insights into the life of Bella Rose.

Isabell Werth bids farewell to her champion horse Bella Rose in an emotional appearance in the dressage arena – a career highlight on ClipMyHorse.TV.

Grand Prix Freestyle

The Grand Prix Freestyle, held on the morning of the last day of the tournament, offers another fascinating dressage highlight. The exam was worth 30,000€ in 2019. This part of the Dressage World Cup was supposed to be the stage of the World Dressage Masters from 2012, but this was rejected by the World Federation FEI.

Winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle (from 2005):

➡️ Livestream tip: International Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt 2025!
Experience exciting competitions and top-class equestrian sports live from the Festhalle Frankfurt. Switch on now and see the best riders and horses in action!

Dressage rider performs a precise canter pirouette in the festively decorated arena of the Frankfurt Festhalle at IFRF 2025 in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Grand Prize

The “Grand Prix of Hesse” is the main competition for show jumpers on Sunday afternoon. The jumping competition with jump-off has an obstacle height of up to 1.55 meters. The endowment varied over the years and amounted to around 70,000€ in 2019.

Grand Prix winner:

from 2005

The festival hall horse show in Frankfurt remains a stage for top performance in dressage and show jumping, and the list of winners reflects the diversity and quality of the participating riders and horses.

Spectator experience

The international Festhallen horse show in Frankfurt is an experience not only for riders but also for the public. Find out how you can be a part of this fascinating event. In addition to regular tickets to the event, you can also stream the Frankfurter Festhallen tournament live from all over the world. On ClipMyHorse.tv, they can not only experience the latest edition of the Internationales Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt (IFRF) live, but also review the past tournaments of recent years and watch the winning steps of dressage and show jumpers once again.

Looking back at the highlights of previous tournaments

From historic events to unforgettable surprises, the Festhallen Reitturnier has a rich history. Take a look back at some of the outstanding moments with us.
Here is a chronological overview of the highlights of the IFRF:

  • 39th IFRF from 14.12.-18.12.2011
    Breathtaking laps were made in the MASTERS LEAGUE final, as this was about the coveted final victory in this highly endowed show jumping series. The dressage featured the finest sport, including the World Cup dressage final for young dressage riders, the dressage World Cup qualification and the Nuremberg Castle Cup final. These competitions attracted the international dressage elite to Frankfurt and promised fascinating performances. The show competition between Hessian clubs on Thursday evening and carefully prepared show elements on Saturday and Sunday provided variety. Frankfurt presented an attractive offer for all equestrian enthusiasts and cordially invited visitors to the festival hall.
  • 40th IFRF from 13.12.-16.12.2012
    In the run-up to Christmas, the festival hall in Frankfurt once again opened its doors for an outstanding international horse show. After four decades, this traditional spectacle was presented in a new guise, now under the direction of PST Paul Schockemöhle Marketing GmbH.
  • 41st IFRF from 19.12.-22.12.2013
    This year, the tournament was presented for the second time by PST Paul Schockemöhle Marketing GmbH. The pure entertainment and the high sporting quality made the tournament an event that was worth a detour time and time again. This is where tradition and emotion met when the world's elite demonstrated their skills in courses and squares. The tournament was opened with the traditional Hessentag on Thursday. This was followed by a mix of national and international jumping and dressage tests that was tough. The spectators got their money's worth when the stars from all over the world traveled to the trade fair city on the Main.
  • 42nd IFRF from 18.12.-21.12.2014
    Once again this year, the Frankfurter Festhallen Tournament impressed with dressage and show jumping at the highest level. In addition to the usual supporting program, the special award for the best school horse program from the Hessian Ministry of the Interior was a particular highlight in Frankfurt.
  • 43rd IFRF from 17.12.-20.12.2015
    Once again this year, the best school horse program was honored by the Hessian Ministry of the Interior. In addition, there was the Messe Frankfurt special ceremony for the most successful Amazon at the event and the Cerberus home children competition supported by b-k-p Consulting, the award for the best obstacle design by social institutions in the region.
  • 44th IFRF from 15.12.-18.12.2016
  • 45th IFRF of 14.12-17.12.2017
    In 2017, in addition to the international tests in which the best riders competed against each other, viewers were also offered a wide program of shows. Of course, the special tribute for school horses was not to be missed. Another highlight was the awarding of the Golden Riding Badge to Victoria Pavel and Johannes Rühl, presented by Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff.
  • 46th IFRF from 13.12.-16.12.2018
    The highlight this year was the farewell to Unee BB with which Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was able to record many successes in dressage sports.
  • 47th IFRF from 19.12.-22.12.2019
    This year, the Golden Riding Badge was awarded to Semmieke Rothenberger. Another emotional highlight in 2019 was the presentation of the Special People Award to Ingrid Klimke.
  • IFRF — Schafhof Edition from 19.12.-20.12.2020 & 18.12.-19.12.2021
    Due to the corona pandemic, there was no festival hall tournament in 2020 & 2021, but the final tests of the Piaff Sponsorship Prize, the Nuremberg Castle Cup, and the final of the Louisdor Prize were held at the Schafhof in Kronberg. Spectators could not watch the tournament on site, but could switch to the live stream.
  • 49th IFRF of 15.12.-18.12.2022
    Back in the Festhalle Frankfurt, the event started its usual course and impressed the audience with the usual program before the corona pandemic. This year, Don Henrico retired from sports in Frankfurt.
  • 50th IFRF of 14.12.-17.12.2023
    The 50th holding of the horse shows in Frankfurt was duly celebrated this year with the birthday show. Equestrian fans were in for a special surprise, as the organizers had decided to significantly improve the quality of show jumping. Instead of the previous three-star level, the audience was now expecting a top-class four-star competition. This made Frankfurt the sole venue in Germany with a four-star indoor tournament. “It's Showtime” one last time - this year Dorothee Schneider's Showtime Saying goodbye to sports in Frankfurt. Dorit Zwosta was also pleased to receive the Golden Riding Badge this year.

➡️ Video tip: Goodbye to Showtime — Dorothee Schneider says thank you
An emotional farewell for an exceptional horse: Experience the moving ceremony in which Dorothee Schneider solemnly retires her Olympic star Showtime.

Dorothee Schneider and Showtime at a tournament

Conclusion

In summary, the Internationale Festhallen Reitturnier in Frankfurt is an event of great importance and tradition. It not only has a significant impact on equestrian sport in Germany, but is also internationally renowned. The future of the tournament promises exciting developments and innovations that will further increase the fascination for equestrian sports.

International Festival Hall Riding Tournament in Frankfurt (IFRF): FAQ

How can I buy tickets for the Festhallen Reitturnier?

Ticket information can be found on the tournament's official website.

Can the Internationale Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt (IFRF) be streamed online?

Yes, on ClipMyHorse.TV Can equestrian fans the IFRF Live stream and many more exciting tournaments around the world Live and on-demand watch.

Which riders are announced for this year?

The Franfurt Festival Hall Tournament is the place to be, for German and international riders, well-known faces include:.

and many other riders. We are also excited to see which of the familiar faces we will be able to see again in 2025 and which may be making their debut in Frankfurt's festival halls.

Author
Nele SchimmelpfennigDISCOVER CMH.TV

Tags

Show Jumping
Dressage riding
Nürnberger Burg-Pokal
Horse Show
Equine Sport