The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal: A Highlight for Young Dressage Horses

Where can you watch the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal live?

The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal is a dressage competition series that has been running for around 30 years and is aimed at seven- to nine-year-old dressage horses. The final of the series takes place every year at the Frankfurt Festhalle tournament, traditionally held in mid-December, and can be streamed live on ClipMyHorse.TV from 16 to 20 December 2026.

In 2022, the event was scheduled for 15–18 December. On the show Saturday, 17 December 2022, the prestigious final for the most promising young dressage horses took place. During the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, the final was held at the Schafhof in Kronberg—but this year, the Festhalle is once again hosting riders and spectators of the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, offering its impressive setting and truly unique atmosphere.

The finalists of the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal 2022

Qualification for the Frankfurt final concluded after twelve qualifiers at the end of September at the Dressage Festival in Ludwigsburg. Once again, the start list features world-class riders and highly promising young dressage horses.

At the season opener at Horses & Dreams in Hagen, Susan Pape and Harmony’s V-Plus secured the first ticket to the final. The eight-year-old black stallion by Vivaldi had already won bronze at the Bundeschampionat as a five-year-old and received a score of 74.268%—enough for victory in Hagen.

Dorothee Schneider’s Quaterline T (by Quaterback) posted individual marks of over 80% in the trot tour at the qualifier in Ludwigsburg and finished on an overall score of 75.195%. Schneider also qualified the eight-year-old Dante’s Hit OLD (by Dante Weltino OLD x Sandro Hit) for Frankfurt.

Andrina Suter also has two strong chances, as she lines up with two horses: the Westphalian gelding Briatore NRW (by Bellissimo M x Dresemann) and the Hanoverian gelding Del Curto (by Dimaggio x Wolkentanz II). With Del Curto, she achieved the highest score of all finalists at Pferd International Munich, posting 77.56%. With Briatore NRW, she produced the second-highest result among the qualified combinations at the Maimarkt Tournament in Mannheim with 76.561%. The Swiss rider therefore tops the ranking with both horses and is considered one of the favorites for this year’s Burg-Pokal final.

In total, twelve top horses have qualified.

The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal: Germany’s Leading National Dressage Series for Young Horses

The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal—named after its title sponsor, Nürnberger Versicherung—is widely regarded as Germany’s most important national dressage series for elite young horses, contested at St. Georg Special level. Many past winners later became stars of the sport: from the almost legendary Rubinstein, one of the most influential stallions in Westphalian breeding, to Olympic gold mare Weihegold OLD, and up to Matthias Alexander Rath’s exciting newcomer Destacado. For decades, the Burg-Pokal has consistently highlighted young dressage horses with the brightest future prospects.

The very first winner of the series in 1992 was the Anglo-Arab Sir Lenox, ridden by Nicole Uphoff. After 103 placings, he died unexpectedly at the age of just 14.

In 2013, Beatrice Buchwald and Weihegold OLD claimed the title. Weihegold OLD—later acquired by Isabell Werth—is considered one of the greatest dressage mares of modern times, winning Olympic gold and silver and four European Championship gold medals, among many other major titles. In Grand Prix competition, Weihegold OLD posted scores of 80% and higher an impressive 50 times. At this year’s World Cup Final in Leipzig, Werth officially retired the Don Schufro daughter from top-level sport.

Weihegold OLD continues to feature prominently in the Burg-Pokal story. In 2019, when the final was last held in Frankfurt, Isabell Freese claimed the coveted winner’s ribbon with Total Hope OLD, a daughter of Totilas out of Weihegold OLD. Total Hope OLD combines some of the very best dressage bloodlines, and with 79.22% she achieved the second-highest score ever recorded in a Burg-Pokal final.

Only Nadine Capellmann and Elvis VA were higher, setting the all-time record in 2004 with 81.17%—a mark by the chestnut gelding by Espri out of a Garibaldi II dam that has remained unbeaten for 18 years. Over his career, Elvis VA placed 115 times at Grand Prix level.

In last year’s anniversary edition, Helen Langehanenberg won the 30th final with her Zack daughter Straight Horse Ascenzione, scoring 77.27%. Langehanenberg competed with two horses: alongside Ascenzione, she also rode Schöne Scarlett, posting an even 77.00%—only to surpass her own mark as the final rider in the class, securing both first and second place.

Here’s the victory lap of Helen Langehanenberg and Straight Horse Ascenzione:

Isabell Werth remains the most successful Burg-Pokal rider to date. She has won the series four times, including in 2008 with El Santo NRW, her Ehrentusch son who went on to collect more than 40 wins at S level. The gelding—known as “Ernie” in Werth’s stable—ranks among the most successful horses ever to compete in the Burg-Pokal.

All winning combinations of the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal since 1992.

1992:  Nicole Uphoff & Sir Lenox

1993:  Klaus Balkenhol & Ehrengold

1994:  Martina Hannöver & Rubinstein

1995:  Isabell Werth & Aurelius FRH

1996:  Isabell Werth & Giorgio

1997:  Alexandra Simons-de Ridder & Chacomo

1998:  Nicole Uphoff & Relevant

1999:  Nadine Capellmann & Cockney

2000:  Karin Rehbein & Miss Holstein

2001:  Heike Kemmer & Bonaparte

2002:  Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff & Wahajama-UNICEF

2003:  Karin Rehbein & Cherie

2004:  Nadine Capellmann & Elvis

2005:  Monica Theodorescu & Whisper

2006:  Carola Koppelmann & Comic Hilltop FRH

2007:  Victoria Max-Theurer & Augustin OLD

2008:  Isabell Werth & El Santo NRW

2009:  Brigitte Wittig & Blind Date 

2010:  Kathrin Meyer zu Strohen & Rassolini

2011:  Carola Koppelmann & Desperado OLD 

2012:  Charlott-Maria Schürmann & Burlington

2013:  Beatrice Buchwald & Weihegold OLD

2014:  Matthias Alexander Rath & Samba King

2015:  Dorothee Schneider & Santiago

2016:  Isabel Freese & Vitalis

2017:  Isabell Werth & Flamboyant OLD

2018:  Dorothee Schneider & First Romance

2019:  Isabel Freese & Total Hope OLD

2020:  Matthias Alexander Rath & Destacado FRH 

2021:  Helen Langehanenberg & Straight Horse Ascenzione

2022: Andrina Suter & Briatore NRW

2023: Isabell Werth & Skovens Tzarina

2024: Dorothee Schneider & Maxi Kraft’s Barcelo OLD  

2025: Charlott-Maria Schürmann & Life Time FRH

The Rules and Regulations

Only seven- to nine-year-old horses may compete in the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal—and only if they have not yet been placed at Grand Prix level. Across a total of twelve final qualifiers contested at St. Georg Special level, only the winning horse-and-rider combination qualifies for the final in Frankfurt.

Traditionally, the season opens at Horses & Dreams in Hagen at the Kasselmann yard. This is followed by further top-class shows with highly competitive fields, such as the Schafhof Dressage Festival, the Verden Championships, and the German Championships at the Longines Balve Optimum.

If a qualifier is split into multiple sections and results in two or more winners, the combination with the highest score (best percentage) earns the qualification spot.

If a qualified rider cannot compete, a roll-down system applies: throughout the season, an overall ranking is compiled based on the percentage scores across all qualifiers. If a horse or rider withdraws, the next combination on this list moves up.

Each rider may start a maximum of two horses at the Frankfurt Festhalle show—even if they have qualified more than two. The final is ridden as a St. Georg Special, where the best horse is crowned.

Here’s the link to the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal Final 2026:

The top three combinations from the final also qualify for the freestyle to music held in the evening—still at St. Georg Special level—known as the Siegerpreis.

The History of the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal

The young horse series was founded in 1992 by Hans-Peter Schmidt, the then Chairman of the Executive Board of Nürnberger Versicherung. A passionate equestrian himself, he had been an active rider in his younger years and was also an honorary member of the German Equestrian Federation (FN).

At the side of the now 80-year-old stood the late Dr. Reiner Klimke, for many years the world’s most successful dressage rider. Specifically for the Burg-Pokal, Klimke developed the “Prix St. Georg Special” (also listed as Test S5 in the official test book)—a special, more demanding version of the Prix St. Georges. In the St. Georg Special, for example, the rein-back is scored with a double coefficient, providing a clear test of suppleness, obedience, rideability, and the rider’s correct use of aids. The rider’s seat and influence are also judged with a coefficient of two.

Nürnberger Burg-Pokal for Juniors

Since 1995, the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal has also included a Junior series, giving younger riders the opportunity to demonstrate their talent in dressage and, in some regions, also show jumping.

In 2022, the series was held across ten equestrian federations: Bavaria, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Northern Germany, Rhineland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Thuringia. The levels vary depending on the federation and range from E to M level.

In Baden-Württemberg, there is also an additional show jumping series at M level. The rules are similar to the “main tour”: throughout the outdoor season, juniors can qualify through multiple classes for their federation’s final.

The finals in each federal state are often held during the season or towards its end. In Hesse, the junior final (a combined dressage/show jumping competition) took place at the Frankfurt Festhalle tournament on 15 December 2022.

Lead-Rein Class at the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal

Traditionally, all qualifiers—and especially the final—also feature a competition for the very youngest upcoming riders: the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal lead-rein class at the Frankfurt Festhalle tournament is always a highlight for both the audience and the children taking part. In the lead-rein class, children aged four to eight ride their ponies while being led by a handler. Alongside basic riding skills such as a balanced seat at the walk and trot, the overall turnout and grooming of the pony is also assessed.

Thanks to the impressive setting of the Frankfurt Festhalle, the Burg-Pokal lead-rein class is a truly special experience for the youngest participants—they get to ride in the very same arena as the sport’s top riders. The class is not open for direct entry: potential participants must apply, and may then be invited by the Hesse State Commission.

The Louisdor Prize: Grand Prix for Young Horses

At the Frankfurt Festhalle Tournament, it’s not only the Burg-Pokal final that takes place: dressage and show jumping up to S* level** with international top riders are also on the schedule. Another highlight is the final of the Louisdor Prize—a competition series similar to the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal, but for eight- to ten-year-old dressage horses competing at Grand Prix level.

The Louisdor Prize is designed to introduce talented young dressage horses to the highest level of the sport using a shortened version of the Grand Prix. In 2022, the warm-up class for the Frankfurt final required the specially developed “Louisdor Grand Prix” test for the first time. In the decisive final itself, riders perform the full Grand Prix.

Year after year, the Louisdor Prize attracts horses tipped for a major future in international dressage—some of them, such as Total Hope OLD, are also former Burg-Pokal finalists and winners.

The winners of the Louisdor Prize since 2007

2025: Viva Gold OLD mit Isabell Werth

2024: DSP Sheldon Cooper mit Carina Harnisch

2023: Fürstin Bea OLD mit Beata Stremler

2022: Fendi 48 mit Sönke Rothenberger

2021: Isabel Freese & Total Hope OLD

2020: Sandra Nuxoll & Bonheur de La Vie

2019: Senta Kirchhoff  & L’Arbuste OLD 

2018: Daniel Bachmann Andersen & Blue Hors Veneziano

2017: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl & Dalera BB

2016: Dorothee Schneider & Sammy Davis Jr. 

2015: Isabell Werth & Emilio 

2014: Beatrice Buchwald &  Weihegold 

2013: Brigitte Wittig &  Balmoral 

2012: Thomas Wagner & Very Keen 

2011: Dorothee Schneider & Diva Royal 

2010: Isabell Werth &  El Santo

2009: Anabel Balkenhol & Dablino 

2008: Oliver Luze & Carabas

2007: Patrik Kittel & Floresco 

FAQ: The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal

What is the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal?

The Nürnberger Burg-Pokal is Germany’s leading national dressage series for young horses, showcasing elite 7- to 9-year-old dressage horses on St. Georg Special level.

Who is allowed to compete in the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal?

Only 7–9-year-old horses may compete, and they must not have been placed at Grand Prix level. The series is designed to develop top young horses before they step up to Grand Prix.

What level is the Burg-Pokal ridden at?

The qualifiers and the final are contested in the St. Georg Special test—an advanced, demanding dressage level that evaluates throughness, rideability, obedience, and correct use of aids.

How do riders qualify for the final in Frankfurt?

The series includes multiple qualifying competitions. Typically, only the winning horse-and-rider combination earns a ticket to the final in Frankfurt. If a qualifier has multiple sections with more than one winner, the combination with the best percentage score qualifies.

Where and when is the Burg-Pokal final held?

Traditionally, the final takes place at the Frankfurt Festhalle Tournament in mid-December, providing a world-class indoor atmosphere for both riders and spectators.

Can a rider start more than one horse in the final?

Yes, but with limits: each rider may start a maximum of two horses in Frankfurt—even if they qualified more than two.

What is the “Siegerpreis” at the Burg-Pokal final?

The top three combinations from the final qualify for an evening freestyle to music—still at St. Georg Special level—known as the Siegerpreis.

Why is the Nürnberger Burg-Pokal important for the sport?

The series is considered a key pathway for future Grand Prix stars. Many former Burg-Pokal horses went on to become internationally successful, making the series a strong indicator of future top-level potential.