Tradition, equestrian sport at the highest level and an exceptional flair 
are the strengths of the German Jumping and Dressage Derby from May 1st – 
4th in Hamburg. This year there is a cherry on the cake. Hamburg’s cult 
equestrian event is a CSI5*/CSI4* and the sporting significance of the 
show is underscored with a total of 737,00 Euro in prize money – second to 
no previous Derby.

With this, the oldest and probably best known German equestrian event will 
simply be one of the most valuable in the Olympic year 2008. Two factors 
play a role: The RIDERS TOUR, that will again be holding their first stage 
in Hamburg, will be distributing 150,000 Euro solely at the 79th German 
Jumping and Dressage Derby. With the integration of the GLOBAL CHAMPIONS 
TOUR the Grand Prix of Hamburg will be a 300,000 Euro international 
jumping competition. And the total budget of the German Jumping and 
Dressage Derby from May 1st - 4th has climbed to 2.3 million Euros.

It is possible that the investments from last year have contributed to the 
high evaluation of the facility and event. The redevelopment of the Derby 
ring through the City of Hamburg brings the investors an exceptional top 
sport event. It is expected to stay this way in the future and therefore 
the initiators of the GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, represented by Jan Tops of 
the Netherlands, did not hesitate when they agreed to and signed a 5 year 
contract with Derby organizer Volker Wulff and his partner Paul 
Schockemoehle.

What has raised a certain attention in the horse show scene also leads to 
logical considerations: Hamburg isn’t a desired location just by chance – 
the RIDERS TOUR has held a station at the Derby Park regularly since 2001 
while the sport, the public and the business and social scene of the 
cosmopolitan city have brought it an excellent reputation. Here there is 
enough place for a further highlight in the international jumping sport.

What, when, where?
The fans of the event packed with tradition can look forward to an 
unbelievably exciting weekend of sport. It will begin Thursday with the 
first qualification for the German Jumping Derby and in the afternoon the 
Mercedes-Benz Championat of Hamburg will follow. The winner can look 
forward to a brand new Mercedes and the top 5 from the Championat 
can “reach for further stars” on Saturday, while they are also qualified 
for the Grand Prix of Hamburg.

Friday is the day of important decisions: Who will qualify for the 79th 
German Jumping Derby presented by Tchibo on Sunday afternoon and can start 
the hunt for RIDERS TOUR points? The Deutschen Kreditbank Prize offers 
20,000 Euro in prize money, is also the second qualifier for the German 
Jumping Derby, and raises the question – was the performance good enough 
or not? Only a few 100 meters away from the course is the dressage ring 
where the qualification for the German Dressage Derby is held to decide 
who will be changing horses Sunday by the 48th German Dressage Derby. The 
best 3 riders from the Grand Prix will be entering the Final to take part 
in the legendary battle for the Derby winner’s blue band.

The temperature is rising…
…when the faces are somewhat paler, look a little tight and there is 
little conversation at the warm up ring. Then it’s Saturday and it’s an 
important day at the Derby Park. The Speed Derby is the first best mark. 
The speedy version of the derby has become extremely popular and creates a 
lot of excitement on the tribunes. This excitement will continue because 
the Grand Prix of Hamburg, GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR presented by CN/CN 
WorldWide, will start directly afterwards. The difficult class will have 2 
rounds and a jump off and offers 300,000 Euro in prize money. The winner 
alone can look forward to 100,000 Euro prize money. Hamburg is the second 
station of the series after Doha, Qatar.

At the dressage ring the horses and riders will be invited “to dance” in 
the Grand Prix Kur and later on piaffe, passage and pirouettes are the 
highlights of the Grand Prix Special.

Derby Time is…
…on Sunday. Tchibo presents the German Jumping Derby for the fifth time 
since 2004. The Derby is over 1230 meters long with 17 jumps, designed and 
developed 88 years ago by Eduard F. Pulvermann, that have created an 
unparalleled derby course that serves as an example for derby courses 
around the world. There is a lot at stake: A title that the winner carries 
with them for life – Derby winner is a permanent title that never receives 
an ex before it. Prize money totaling 150,000 Euro, while the 79th German 
Jumping Derby is the first stage of the RIDERS TOUR, and don’t forget the 
first valuable 20 points.

„My horse, your horse!“ – that plays no role in the 48th German Dressage 
Derby, while the riders change horses as always and see the public nine 
times as the challenge of the horse ride-off requires. In 2007 it was 
Ellen Schulten-Baumer from Rheinberg, Germany who was celebrated, and a 
few hours later it was Andre Thieme who celebrated on the Derby course. 
There will be lots of reasons to celebrate in 2008….

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