Kathrin Meyer is looking to vault into to the history books in Basel this weekend as she looks to win back-to-back titles in her first two FEI Vaulting World Cup™ finals. Kathrin took gold on debut in Omaha a year ago aboard her long-time partner San Classico. A perfect moment was made complete as it was her mother, Sonja, who lunged for her. Here’s that golden performance in full…
The trio team up again this weekend in Basel for the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final, with Kathrin looking to add to her increasingly impressive medal collection. She won two World Championship golds with Germany in 2021 and just a few months after Omaha won Individual and Team gold at the 2023 European Championships in Flyinge.
Kathrin will be showing a new routine in Basel, although she’s not giving too much away!
“I plan to show my new programme,” she said. “The theme and music I would like to keep as a surprise!”
Kathrin’s Now the Favourite
Kathrin heads to Basel with very different expectations compared to a year ago. Having won in Omaha and followed that up in Flyinge, it’s fair to say she’ll be the favourite among the eight competitors vying for Female gold.
“I have the feeling people expect more than they did last year,” she said. “I think we are eight great vaulters. In our sport it's always the question as to which team can manage the competition the best.
“Omaha was, for me, a very important competition to grow with my team. We showed we were able to manage the atmosphere the occasion. This has made me feel more assured in the competitions since then.”
‘Sunny’s Canter Feels Like Home’
It was a first competition in North America for both Kathrin and her horse, San Classico, a 17yo Oldenburger. Having achieved victory on the other side of the Atlantic, their preparations for 2024 should be boosted by a comparatively short drive to Switzerland this year.
Kathrin speaks so warmly about ‘Sunny’, and considers the relationship between horse and human as the most appealing aspect of this special discipline.
“It was a great feeling to win in Omaha! It was the first time I had competed in such a big arena and the atmosphere was amazing. The whole trip to Omaha was special for me. It was the first time I went together with my team to the US for a competition,” Kathrin said.
“Sunny has been our family horse for over 10 years now and I know every step he does – his canter feels like home. He has a special character, which I really appreciate.
“Vaulting combines many different skills. My favourite part of Vaulting is to grow together with your partner horse.”
Source: FEI
F. ©: FEI