February 23, 2024 
“When we saw that we have to bring four Grand Prix horses, that meant for us we really have to bring four good ones,” said Frederic Wandres of the FEI Nations Cup of Wellington.
The problem is they were down one horse, because Wandres winning World Cup partner Bluetooth OLD had a different agenda this week. With Bluetooth sidelined for the Nations Cup, the Germans got creative, mate. Wandres phoned Australian friend Jemma Heran, and asked if he could borrow her 12-year-old gelding Total Recall solely for the Nations Cup.
“I have Bluetooth here with me, but I have another plan with him, so I asked Jemma, our Australian friend, if I can maybe have the ride on Total Recall and she directly said yes. I really liked this test ride and there is a lot more in that horse,” said Wandres.
With Anna-Christina Abbelen aboard 17-year-old gelding Sam Donnerhall, Michael Klimke on 12-year-old mare Domino 957, and Felicitas Hendricks and 13-year-old gelding Drombusch, Germany had a stacked deck. And, one heck of a good friend.
It was exactly what they needed to forge down the centerline and secure their fourth consecutive Nations Cup win on a combined score of 213.369 points. The United States fell shortly behind with 210.978 points, while Sweden rounded out the podium with 198.956.
Perhaps what set them apart is that even amidst a euphoric win, the Germans continue to seek perfection. Just ask Hendricks.
“This season can’t really be going any better for me. It’s a great honor to be showing this horse in this fantastic ring. He’s so happy to be showing, and that’s the best feeling in the world when they’re willing to give their all in the ring. So whenever a mistake happens, you know that’s on me…There are still things to work on and we’re far from being perfect, but we keep working on it,” said Hendricks.
Hendricks, who produced the highest individual score of her team with 72.087%, is also the youngest. At 23-years-old she made her senior German Team debut in Wellington just one year ago.
“It’s been a great journey, and it’s great to be back on the senior German team. I had a fantastic team with great teammates and great team spirit. I think the scores are reflecting our improvement, but it’s not just about the scores. I think I was able to do a more detailed test today than last year, for example,” said Hendricks.
For Abbelen, the secret to their team spirit is really no secret at all, just geography and a career long familiarity.
“I’m super honored to be on this team and it’s always fun because we know each other from home. We all come from the same region in Germany, from the Münster area,” said 28-year-old Abbelen, who also began representing Germany at the senior level last year.
Yet, in the rectangle, it comes down to the relationship with each of their horses, whether it be a one day fling like Wandres and Total Recall, or Abbelen and Sam Donnerhall who have been partnered since 2019.
“Sam is really strong in all the extensions like the extended trot, extended canter. He has a great passage, and I really could celebrate my half-passes,” Abbelen gushed.
Seasoned champion Michael Klimke is certainly not forgetting to celebrate, either.
“Yes, we won—not one time. We’ve won four times in a row. For me, it’s an honor to be here and all of these years,” said Klimke.
