GAT Germany 2026 Wrap: A trip to remember!

Twelve riders. Five countries. One unforgettable week in the heart of European showjumping.

The 2026 Global Amateur Tour Germany brought together riders from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Namibia and the United States for an experience unlike anything most amateur riders ever have the opportunity to experience.

A week spent training with world-class horses, learning from one of Germany's most respected international riders, exploring the beauty of Germany, and immersing themselves in the culture and passion that has made the country one of the world's great showjumping nations.

For many, it was a dream years in the making. For all twelve riders, it was a week they will never forget.

Training With Two Professionals

At the centre of the programme was internationally renowned German rider and coach Steffen Hauter, who coached throughout the week alongside World Cup showjumper and GAT Co-Founder Lucy Olphert.

A five-time German Nations Cup team member and multiple Grand Prix winner, Steffen has spent decades competing and coaching at the highest levels of the sport. His programme combines technical excellence, practical horsemanship and an ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that riders of all levels can understand and apply. Alongside Steffen, Lucy brought her own international competition experience and coaching insights to the programme, helping riders build confidence, adaptability and a stronger understanding of riding different horses.

Throughout the week, riders trained daily at Steffen’s impressive base in Großsteinhausen, working through carefully structured sessions designed to improve every aspect of their riding.

Flatwork, gymnastics, stride control, adjustability, rider position, jump-off training, and competition preparation all featured throughout the programme, with every session building on the one before it.

As the week progressed, riders developed confidence through gymnastics exercises, stride control work, bounces, jump-off training and Lucy’s infamous “Circle of Death” exercise. Each session challenged riders while creating a supportive environment where learning, improvement, and enjoyment went hand in hand.

Throughout the week, riders enjoyed multiple daily riding opportunities, with sessions carefully structured to maximise learning while still allowing plenty of time to relax, explore the local area, enjoy meals together and absorb everything they were experiencing.

The balance between intensive learning, exceptional riding opportunities and memorable off-horse experiences is one of the things that makes the Germany programme so special.

A Horse Line-Up Most Riders Only Dream About

While the coaching was exceptional, it was the horses that truly elevated this year's Germany tour to another level.

Every year, one of Steffen's goals is to improve the quality and depth of the horse collection available to riders. This year may have been the strongest group yet.

As Steffen explained during the tour, sourcing horses for the programme is never easy, but the result was a collection he was particularly proud of. Lucy agreed, describing the line-up as the best the programme has seen so far.

The horses available throughout the week included:

Horse	Age	Breeding
Ramires	5	Donthargos x Dallas VDL
Solano	6	Stolypso x Forsyth
Dassault Mirage Z	6	Don VHP Z x Quantum
Tornac Z	6	Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve x Bachus Z
Clematis du Gibet	7	Conthargos x Bonhomme
Calimero du Gibet	7	Conthargos x For Pleasure
Qastaar DC Stables	7	Quinn vd Heffinck x Kennedy
Lise Lotte	8	Casall x Cassini I
Coco Brown	11	Cellestial x Levisto
Chacco Potter	12	Chaccato x Argentinus
Carlotta	13	Catalido x Carrico
Chiclana	14	Con Spirito x Chambertin

For anyone familiar with European showjumping, these bloodlines need little introduction.

Casall. Cassini I. For Pleasure. Tangelo. Levisto. Dallas VDL.

These are some of the most influential names in modern sport horse breeding, responsible for producing horses that compete at Grand Prix, Nations Cup and Championship level around the world.

For our GAT riders to spend a week riding horses of this quality is incredibly rare.

What made this collection particularly special wasn't simply the quality of the horses.

It was the balance between talented younger horses and highly educated, experienced campaigners.

Riders had the opportunity to work with exciting young prospects such as the 5-year-old KWPN gelding Ramires, alongside seasoned performers like 13-year-old Carlotta, 14-year-old Chiclana and 12-year-old Chacco Potter.

This combination created an extraordinary learning environment.

The younger horses taught riders the importance of feel, timing, balance and clear communication. Athletic, responsive and eager to learn, these horses rewarded accurate riding and helped riders develop softer, more effective aids.

The older horses demonstrated the results of years of professional production and competition experience. Riders could feel first-hand the adjustability, self-carriage, rideability and confidence that comes from quality breeding, systematic training and expert education.

Being able to ride both younger and experienced horses throughout the week is something very few amateur riders ever get the opportunity to do.

It develops adaptability, feel and horsemanship at a level that simply isn't possible when riding the same horse every day at home.

As GAT Co-Founder Lucy Olphert explained during the week, riders had opportunities to ride everything from talented five-year-olds through to experienced 1.40m horses, helping them become more adaptable riders and exposing them to a huge range of different horse types and personalities.

For many participants, it was the first time they had truly experienced the difference that quality breeding, professional production and systematic European training can make.

More Than Just Riding

While the horses and training are undoubtedly the centrepiece of the German experience, some of the best memories are often made away from the arena.

Throughout the week, riders enjoyed time exploring Germany, sharing meals, experiencing local culture and building friendships with like-minded riders from around the world.

A highlight was a visit to the historic city of Heidelberg, where riders explored the famous Heidelberg Castle, wandered through the picturesque old town and enjoyed spectacular views over the Neckar River.

From traditional German restaurants and local beer gardens to evenings spent reliving the day's riding and sharing stories from home, these moments are a huge part of what makes a Global Amateur Tour so special.

Many riders arrive as strangers. They leave as lifelong friends.

Competition Day

After a week of learning, laughter and countless rounds in the saddle, competition day provided the opportunity for riders to put their new skills into practice.

The atmosphere was competitive but supportive.

The focus was never simply on results, but on applying new skills, building confidence and celebrating the progress each rider had made throughout the week.

Watching riders tackle courses with greater confidence, better feel, and improved understanding of their horses was one of the most rewarding parts of the tour.

The improvement from Day One to competition day was remarkable.

The Journey Continues at CHIO Aachen

Following the training component of the tour, riders travelled to CHIO Aachen, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world.

For many equestrians, Aachen sits at the very top of the bucket list.

The atmosphere, the history and the quality of competition are difficult to describe until you've experienced it in person.

A major highlight was the opportunity to meet Irish showjumping legend Cian O'Connor and gain insights from one of the sport's most successful riders.

The group also had the incredible opportunity to walk the Rolex Grand Prix course inside the iconic Aachen stadium before competition began, gaining a unique appreciation for the technical challenges faced by the world's best riders.

The week concluded with the Rolex Grand Prix itself, where Germany’s Richard Vogel and the extraordinary United Touch S claimed victory in front of a packed crowd, providing the perfect finale to an unforgettable experience.

What Riders Had To Say

The best measure of any Global Amateur Tour is the feedback from those who experience it.

This year's GAT Germany riders certainly didn't disappoint.

Hayley Richter

"Had an absolute blast!! Who knew so many dreams could come true in a week."

Milly Boeck

"An absolute experience of a lifetime. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to the GAT team for the endless opportunities we were given. The training, the amazing horses and the friendships that were made over the week are something I will cherish for a lifetime. I highly recommend GAT."

Gwen Crompton

"An unforgettable experience that exceeded my expectations. The quality of horses and trainers on the Germany tour was unbelievable. Lots of time spent learning in and out of the saddle. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to try something different, expand on existing knowledge and be exposed to the equestrian sport on another level."

Join Us for GAT Germany 2027

If GAT Germany 2026 proved anything, it's that there is simply no substitute for learning in the heart of European showjumping. World-class coaching, exceptional horses, International friendships, German culture and access to experiences that most amateur riders only dream about.

Applications are now open for GAT Germany 2027.

If you've ever dreamed of riding quality European horses, training with international professionals and experiencing the magic of CHIO Aachen for yourself, we'd love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply today:

https://www.globalamateurtour.com/aachen2027

Places are limited, and selection is by application.

The horses are waiting!