Kathrin Brugger from Seeboden represents Austria at the Dressage World Championships!

Kathrin Brugger from Seeboden represents Austria at the Dressage World Championships!

Kathrin Brugger from Seeboden will represent Austria at the World Championships for young dressage horses. The World Championships will take place from August 4th to 10th, 2025 in Verden, Germany and is considered the most important competition for five, six and seven-year-old dressage horses. Brugger is the only Austrian duo to qualify for the championship and will compete with their six-year-old warmblood mare “Stella’s Highlight”. The official farewell was organized on July 24, 2025 by Mayor Thomas Schäfauer and sports officer Horst Zwischenberger and was supported by the sponsors Astrid and Manfred Siller, as Klick Kärnten reports.

Qualifying for the World Cup is a complex process. Brugger, who has already taken part in four European Championships at the youth level and has won numerous medals at state championships as well as twelve national championship titles, has to set herself intensive criteria. Only one rider-horse pair per age group is allowed to take part per nation, which further intensifies the competition.

Review of the sightings

The path to the World Championships began with a first viewing that took place on May 26th and 27th, 2025 at the Stadl-Paura Horse Center. A total of 15 horse-rider pairs competed here to qualify for the event. The viewing took place under the direction of Dr. Ulf Möller and focused on assessment, training work and individual feedback. The best-known horse at this viewing was Kathrin’s “Stella’s Highlight”, which impressed among the six-year-old participants. Other talented pairs also competed alongside her, such as Indigo ANW and Basilius MBH, who were registered for the seven-year-old horse age group. Further details about the participants can be found on EQWO.

The second viewing, which took place on July 16, 2025 at the South Equestrian Center in Oisnitz, played a decisive role in the final selection of the horses sent. For the Spittal an der Drau district and numerous equestrian fans throughout Austria, Brugger's appearance is the source of great anticipation and hope for an outstanding performance in Verden.

A strong team

Kathrin Brugger describes her horse “Stella’s Highlight” as more than just a competition horse. For them, Stella is a partner, a mirror and even a teacher. She is particularly grateful to her mother, who supports her as a trainer and makes a significant contribution to her sporting career. In Seeboden, Brugger was awarded the medal of honor in bronze and silver for her sporting commitment.

The entire region and especially the equestrian sports fans are keeping their fingers crossed for Kathrin Brugger for her upcoming competition in Verden. The upcoming competition promises exciting moments and high emotions as Brugger and Stella fight for the best placings.