Bevern Riding Tournament to Go International in 2026, Attracting Elite Riders
Bevern, February 1 – The 4th Bevern Spring Riding Tournament, scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 10, 2026, is set to achieve international status. After successfully establishing itself over the past three years, the Reit- und Fahrverein Beveraner Land e. V. and Beveraner Land UG, the event organizers, are taking a significant step forward by making the tournament an international competition.
International Milestone for the Region
This prestigious event is expected to draw a high-caliber field of participants, including riders from across Germany, Europe, and other continents, who will compete for prize money and valuable honorary awards. The equestrian week will also feature an extensive supporting program, including highlights such as a charity auction and a Mallorca party.
“For our region, such an event, combining top-class sport, a fairground atmosphere, a promenade, an exhibition mile, and an expanded culinary offering, is exceptional. I don’t know of any comparable event within a 100-kilometer radius,” says organizer Gerald Schoppe, looking forward to the event with great anticipation.
High Organizational Effort
The international orientation is considered a significant step for equestrian sport in Southern Lower Saxony. While many riding tournaments are increasingly moving abroad due to better conditions, the organizing team is taking on the challenge to elevate the tournament to the next level, against the trend and despite high safety requirements.
“Without the voluntary commitment of every single helper before, during, and after the event, and the numerous, predominantly regional sponsors, this week full of experiences would not be possible,” explains Schoppe. More than 200 volunteers are expected to actively participate in various tasks again this year.
International stewards will travel to the Weserbergland region for the tournament, responsible for horse welfare and the correct handling of animals. Additionally, competition judges, course designers, veterinarians, and many other experts will accompany the event to ensure professional execution. All relevant data, from fever charts to results, will be processed and provided by the FEI (international governing body).
Setting up the event will take approximately 14 days. More than 500 mobile horse boxes will be erected in stable tents. Furthermore, the entire technical infrastructure, including mobile showers and toilet facilities needed for the duration of the event, must be set up in advance.
“In logistics, we are somewhat emulating Wacken Open-Air, hopefully with better weather,” says Florian Voss, president of the event, with a wink.
Top Sport and Opportunities for Regional Riders
“For the first time, World Ranking points will be awarded in Bevern, and in two jumping competitions. Nevertheless, it is important to us not to exclude rural show jumpers. We offer everyone the opportunity to gain their first international experience and to compete for Germany,” reports Julia Schoppe, who is responsible for the sporting direction of the event.
“In the coming weeks, we will prepare assistance and videos to facilitate entry into international show jumping, bureaucratic hurdles, tournament entries, and check-in at the tournament. It is clear: without the youth, amateur, and ambitious riders from the region, the charm of the event would be only half as great,” she describes the challenges.
Competitions will be held in four different tours: CSI2*, CSI1*, CSI-Amateurs, and CSI-Youngsters. Monday will be dedicated to young horses and a national tournament day. From Tuesday to Sunday, international competitions will be held over six days. Each day will feature different highlights-from amateur jumping competitions to World Ranking jumping. But well-established program points, such as the barrier jumping on Saturday evening under floodlights, will also be included.
Close Cooperation with Local Authorities
The safety concept was developed and coordinated in advance with the administration of the Bevern municipality and the various departments of the Holzminden district. “My special thanks go to everyone involved in developing the safety concept. To overcome this bureaucratic hurdle in advance, we received extensive support from the municipality and the administration to implement everything properly and optimally during the event,” emphasizes Gerald Schoppe. The patron of the event, as last year, is District Administrator Michael Schünemann.
Admission remains free, with only a small entrance fee for the Mallorca party on Thursday evening for planning security. According to the Schoppe family and President Florian Voss, the Spring Riding Tournament continues to see itself as “an event in the region for the region.”
For the organizers, the focus in the coming weeks will be on contacting sponsors, before the hot phase primarily involves coordinating the individual interfaces during the event.
Anyone who would like to become a sponsor or support the event, for example, through voluntary work, can find information on the website www.gerald-schoppe-bevern.de and contact the organizing team.
Source: https://meine-onlinezeitung.de/sport/46811-zwischen-hamburger-derby-und-fuenf-sterne-csi-aachen-reitturnier-in-bevern-wird-2026-international
