Eurodressage F.O.C.U.S.

Jurgen Wirths and Souverän W

Cover star of the 2000 Elite Spring Auction for Hanoverian sport horses is Jurgen Wirths and his mount Souverän W. After a half a year break, Wirths seems to be back with his 15 year old Hanoverian gelding, constantly entering the top five in  final show rankings. As a regular and successful competitor in the World Cup qualifiers, Wirths is one of the three German riders selected for the Final in 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, on 23rd to 25th March 2000. His Salut x Wohlgemut gelding was bred by Helmut Paus and discovered as a youngster by Holger Kubelke. Through the Verden Elite Auction Souverän came into the possession of Wirths, who added the initial W behind his horse's name as a token of his ownership.

Jurgen Wirths is a highly respected person on the international dressage scene, very well known for his inventive comments at press conferences. A challenge to interview, Wirths brings out his managerial strength into his pleas . Director of a women's hygiene pad company, Jurgen lives near Berlin where his barn is also located. Training his horses in the morning, Wirths goes to work in the afternoon and like this combines a professional career with an equestrian one. "It's not always easy and I'm often stressed when I arrive at the barn, but this situation forces me to divide my concentration on horses and my company. It's a good way to stay focussed all the time," Wirths commented.

German Male Dressage Champion in 1999, Wirths has set his goal on a German team place for the 2000 Olympic Games. A task difficult to accomplish as the leading dressage country in the world continues to raise star Grand Prix combinations.

Image copyrighted Arnd Bronkhorst -  no reproduction without permission

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