Cosima von Fircks Joins Rider Team at Gestüt Nymphenburg

Dressage

Germany

For German young rider Cosima von Fircks the summer of 2019 has not only been one of great success in sport, but also an important period of change. After winning the 2019 Bavarian Championships and CDI Donaueschingen, von Fircks has joined the team of Gestüt Nympenburg as an official staff member.

Finding the Silver Lining

Twenty-year old Cosima was German team reserve for the European Young Riders Championships last year, but 2019 went differently. An injury of her horse Easy Fellow altered the original competition plan and withheld her from following a team selection route. She did not let the set-back dampen her spirits and Cosima turned misfortune into new opportunity.

In the spring of 2019 Von Fircks ventured across borders and decided to ride a new international she had never been to before: the CDIO-Y Mariakalnok in Hungary, where she swept the board on the premium Hanoverian licensed stallion Nymphenburgs First Ampere (by Ampere x Weltruhm).

In June she was invited to ride at one of the most beautiful dressage shows in the world, the Manfred & Hilde Swarovski Memorial Show in Fritzens in the Tyrolean Alps. With the 13-year old Nymphenburg's Easy Fellow (by Ehrenpreis x Ferragamo) she contested the senior small tour and posted consistent marks.

Summer of Success

The summer of 2019 has turned into a memorable one as Cosima won the 2019 Bavarian Regional Championships and topped the board at the CDI Donaueschingen.

Cosima and Easy Fellow at the 2019 Bavarian YR Champions

At the Bavarian Championships in Munich on 19 - 21 July 2019, Von Fircks and Easy Fellow swept the board winning all three rounds. In the team test they scored 69.254%, in the individual test they posted a winning 70.219% and in the kur to music they got the trophy with a 74.350% earning freestyle.

"To become Bavarian champion was a really nice achievement," said Von Fircks. "I’m proud of Eddy, especially how he managed the first day, when he a shoe in the test at the beginning of canter. He really kept fighting for me! It was also nice to see, that after over one and a half year since his last freestyle he really tried his heart out for me and rocked the test. I am really proud to ride for Bavaria so to become Bavarian champion is a huge honour for me."

Cosima also brought First Ampere to the Bavarian Championships, but Easy Follow's maturity and consistency proved key to grab the regional title. Furthermore, Easy Fellow's top achievements were a confirmation that he has returned to full fitness, is willing and happy to perform.

At the 2019 CDI Donaueschingen Cosima and Easy Fellow continued riding the wave of success. They won both Young Rider classes with 71.206% in the Individual test and 74.075% in the Kur to Music. With First Ampere she rode the Nurnberger Burgpokal qualifier for developing Prix St Georges horses and placed sixth .

"I took Easy Fellow for the young riders tests as a last rehearsal before Zeiskam (the German Young Rider Championships in September)," said Cosima. "I decided to ride First Ampere in the Nürnberger Burgpokal qualifier, because he still is only 8 years old and his quality makes everything possible. I’m really excited for the future with him."

A Professional Career in Horses

During the summer, Cosima decided to fast track her studies as well as her professional riding career by joining the team at Gestüt Nymphenburg as an official member of the team. The move to the North of Germany, closer to Oldenburg University where she has been studying BWL for Top Athletes the past two years, will put her life into another gear.

Cosima and the Hanoverian licensed stallion First Ampere in
Mariakalnok

"I decided to no longer do my studies long distance, but the change to a version where I have to be present more often at University so I can finish faster. After 2020 I want to study medicine," said Cosima about her education. "This was one big part for my decision to move and join our farm in Helle/Bad Zwischenahn. It is a really big step for me, because everybody who knows me, knows how much I’m in love with Bavaria, my hometown Munich and the Alps."

Cosoma has been working and training with Max Wadenspanner at Gut Weiglschwaig and she is very grateful for her time there.

"Max is a big inspiration to me and I can’t even describe how thankful I am for everything I learnt from him and the amazing experiences and memories we had together," Cosima explained. "We are still in contact and in Donaueschingen, for example, he helped me again. I am now fully training with Oliver Oelrich who I also have been training with for nearly ten years."

"To work as a professional rider now, is an amazing feeling," she continued. "There’s nothing better than doing what you love. I’m happy to ride so many different horses from young to old and especially learn a lot more about riding young horses."