Sandra Auffarth: Her greatest successes and the life behind them

Sandra Auffarth's career

Sandra Auffarth, born on December 27, 1986 in Delmenhorst, is an outstanding personality in German equestrian sport. She discovered her passion for horses at an early age and began her career with impressive successes that have made her an icon in eventing.

The beginnings with Faryno

Learning to ride would not be possible without school horses. Everyone who wants to ride needs a four-legged teacher. For eventing world champion Sandra Auffarth, Faryno was this important teacher. Faryno, a bay pony gelding, was smart, cheeky and a real athlete. When Sandra rode him for the first time, she was eight years old and he was ten. Despite initial difficulties and the need to assert themselves, a strong bond developed between them.

Over time, Sandra and Faryno played so well together that they competed in both the German Show Jumping and Eventing Championships in the same year, when Sandra was 14 years old. Faryno jumped safely and carefully, which made Sandra's parents see him as their life insurance. Their successes together made Sandra incredibly proud and showed how much they had learned from each other.

When Sandra was 15, they sold Faryno and she switched to big horses. This was a sad time for Sandra, as Faryno was not only her best friend in the stable, but also a formative part of her riding career. The experiences and lessons she had with him contributed significantly to her success in equestrian sport.

Early career and education

Sandra Auffarth grew up with horses and has been through all the stages for young eventers in Germany: Golden Sash, Young Rider Championships, Youth Championships, Prize of the Best, Young Rider European Championships. After graduating from high school, she was appointed to the eventing perspective group. She lived and trained in Warendorf for five years before returning to her home town of Bergedorf near Ganderkesee in 2011 after completing two apprenticeships - as a horse manager and as a sports and fitness manager. There she runs her parents' breeding and training business. In 2019, she passed her examination to become a master of equine management with the Stensbeck award.

Family and personal commitment

After her training, Sandra Auffarth returned to her parents' breeding and training stable in 2011, which she took over in 2014. The focus of her work here is on training young horses up to championship level. She is supported by renowned trainers such as Carola Koppelmann, Jonny Hilberath, Marcus Döring, Gilbert Böckmann and Hans Melzer, who support her in dressage, show jumping and cross-country.

The breakthrough with Opgun Louvo "Wolle"

Sandra Auffarth achieved third place at the European Young Riders Championships in 2006. But her big breakthrough came with Opgun Louvo. With this horse, she came third at the World Championships for Young Event Horses in 2007. The talented chestnut showed his potential early on and quickly developed into a top horse. 

Sandra describes "Wolle" as the perfect horse: "He has the perfect mix of calm and fighting spirit. But he is also incredibly sensitive and can jump really well."

In 2011, Sandra Auffarth and the chestnut gelding Opgun Louvo caused a stir in top international sport when she won her first of three consecutive team gold medals at the European Championships in Luhmühlen: 2011, 2013 and 2015. She celebrated her greatest success to date in 2012 with team gold at the Olympic Games in London and the bronze medal in the individual competition. Sandra and Opgun Louvo reached the pinnacle of their career in 2014 with double gold at the World Championships in Normandy.

In 2016, the "dream team" became German champions and then competed in their last championship at the Olympic Games in Rio, where they won another silver medal for the German team. In 2018, Sandra Auffarth bid farewell to her faithful companion "Wolle" and sent him into well-deserved retirement.

Sandra Auffarth's successful horses

Opgun Louvo "Wool" (*2002)

Training level: CCI ****
Breed: Selle Francais (FR)
Born: 2002
Owner: DOKR and Sandra Auffarth

Opgun Louvo, an impressive Selle Francais gelding, came to Sandra Auffarth at the end of his fifth year. Myriam Meylemans discovered him as a three-year-old in France and initiated his training. His career began with his first competition successes in A and L classes. He won his first two-star test at the age of six and achieved a bronze medal at the World Championships for Young Horses.

At the age of eight Opgun Louvobegan to establish himself in the three-star class and at the age of nine he celebrated his breakthrough with a second place in a four-star class as well as team gold and individual silver at the European Championships in Luhmühlen.

The highlight of his career was undoubtedly in 2012, when he won Olympic gold with the German team in London and Sandra Auffarth secured individual bronze. This success was celebrated with an unforgettable reception.

After an impressive career that includes nine medals at five championships, Sandra Auffarth decided in 2018 Opgun Louvo not to nominate him for any more championships. His retirement from the sport was celebrated during the CHIO Aachen in 2019, where he was officially bid farewell to his well-deserved retirement.

Viamant du Matz "Mat" (*2009)

Breed: Selle Francais (FR)
Born: 2009
Owner: Nikolaus Prince of Croy

Viamant du Matzaffectionately known as Mat, was purchased by Nikolaus Prince of Croy. This Selle Francais gelding is characterized by his impressive jumping ability and proved his cross-country skills early on. After his first experiences in the one-star class, he placed several times in the two-star class at the age of seven.

In 2017, Mat established himself in the three-star competition and won the Nations Cup in Waregem (BEL) as part of the German team. In 2018, Mat showed remarkable development, especially in dressage under the guidance of co-national coach Jonny Hilberath. At the CHIO Aachen, he proved his versatility with solid performances in dressage and show jumping as well as a technically demanding cross-country course.

His breakthrough came at the Polish three-star event in Strzegom, where he convincingly mastered all three disciplines despite strong competition and won the test. Nominated as a reserve for the World Championships in Tryon, Mat gained valuable experience and consolidated his position in the German team.

In the 2019 season, Mat shone at the German Championships in Luhmühlen, where he finished the CCI 4*-S test in a respectable eighth place. He finished his participation in the home European Championships in Luhmühlen in an outstanding eleventh place, underlining his promising future in eventing.

Nupafeed's La Vista (*2009)

Breed: Hanoverian
Born: 2009
Owner: Dorothea von Ehrlich

Nupafeed's La Vistaa chestnut Hanoverian mare, was bred by Sandra Auffarth herself and later acquired by Dorothea von Ehrlich. She showed her talent in show jumping at an early age and qualified for the Bundeschampionat in 2015. There she impressed with her overview, coolness and agility, particularly in the jump-off, and became champion of the six-year-old Hanoverian show jumpers.

At the age of seven, Nupafeed's La Vista successfully established herself in the advanced class of show jumping and won her first advanced (S) level show jumping competition as well as another advanced (S) level show jumping competition at the Bundeschampionat in Warendorf. Her remarkable 2017 season included fourth place in the Professional Show Jumping Championships and a place in the final of the German Show Jumping Championships.

The highlight of her career came in 2018 at the German Jumping Derby in Hamburg, where she took third place with Sandra Auffarth. Nupafeed's La Vista proved herself to be a fighter with enormous jumping ability who is not intimidated by difficult courses. This performance was all the more significant as she was bred by Sandra Auffarth's father Kalle.

In the 2019 season, Nupafeed's La Vista once again showed her class at the German Show Jumping Derby in Hamburg, where she took an impressive third place despite the extreme heat. Her consistent performances in the advanced class of show jumping make her a promising talent and a valuable partner for Sandra Auffarth.

Sandra Auffarth's greatest successes

In recent years, Sandra Auffarth has continued her success story, including victories at World Championships and European Championships, such as team gold and individual silver at the European Championships in Luhmühlen in 2015. Particularly impressive was her success at the German Show Jumping Derby in Hamburg in 2018 with Nupafeed's La Vista, a Hanoverian bred by her father, which earned her numerous placings in the advanced class. To give you an overview of Sandra's greatest successes, we have listed them in chronological order:

2023: 2nd place European Eventing Championship (Individual) Le Pin au Haras and 3rd place European Eventing Championship (Individual) Le Pin au Haras

2022: World Eventing Championship victory (team) Pratoni - Roma

2021: 2nd place CCI 4*-S Marbach, Viamant du Matz and 5th place CCI 4*-S Marbach, Let's Dance

2020: 2nd place CCI 4*-S Luhmühlen, Viamant du Matz, German Vice Champion Luhmühlen, Viamant du Matz and 4th place CCI 4*-S Luhmühlen, Let's Dance

2019: Victory in the Nations Cup CCIO 4* Boekelo (NED), Let's Dance, 11th place European Eventing Championship Luhmühlen, Viamant du Matz and 8th place CCI 4*-S Luhmühlen, Viamant du Matz

2018: Participation in FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon/USA, Viamant du Matz, victory in the Bundeschampionat 6-year-old eventing horses Warendorf, Gentleman FRH, victory in the CIC*** Strzegom/POL, Viamant du Matz, victory in the CIC** Renswoude/NED, Daytona Beach and victory in the CCI** Sopot/POL, Daytona Beach

2017: Bundeschampion 5-year-old eventing horses, Gentleman, victory in the Nations' Cup CICO*** Waregem (BEL), Viamant du Matz and victory in the Nations' Cup CICO*** Aachen, Opgun Louvo

2016: Silver Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro (team), Opgun Louvo, victory in the CIC*** German Champion Luhmühlen, Opgun Louvo and victory in the Nations Cup CICO*** Fontainebleau, Opgun Louvo

2015: Victory European Championship (team) CCI**** Blair Castle, Opgun Louvo, 2nd place European Championship (individual) CCI**** Blair Castle, Opgun Louvo, victory in the Nations' Cup CICO*** Aachen, Opgun Louvo, victory in the CIC*** Baborowko, Ispo, victory in the CIC*** Strzegom, Ispo, victory in the CIC** Strzegom, Thalia and victory in the CICO*** Nations' Cup Haughton Hall, Ispo

2014: Victory in the Nations Cup CICO*** Strzegom, Opgun Louvo, victory in the CICO*** Aachen (individual), Opgun Louvo, victory at the World Championships (individual) CCI**** Caen, Opgun Louvo and victory at the World Championships (team) CCI**** Caen, Opgun Louvo

2013: Victory in the Nations Cup CICO*** Aachen, Opgun Louvo, victory in the CIC* Hannover Langenhagen with Kilian, victory in the CIC** Hannover Langenhagen with The Blue Frontier, 4th place CCI**** Badminton with Opgun Louvo

2012: Gold Olympic Games London (team) with Opgun Louvo, bronze Olympic Games London (individual) with Opgun Louvo, victory in the Nations' Cup CICO*** Aachen, Opgun Louvo, victory in the Nations' Cup CICO*** Strzegom with Parancs, victory in the CIC*** World Cup qualifier Strzegom with Opgun Louvo

2011: Gold European Championships Luhmühlen (team) with Opgun Louvo, Silver European Championships Luhmühlen (individual) with Opgun Louvo, victory "Preis der Besten" eventing in Warendorf

2010: Victory "Weser-Ems Championships" with Opgun Louvo

2009: Victory in the CIC** Hanover with Lord Lauries, 3rd place in the World Championships for Young Horses in Lion d'Angers with Opgun Louvo (7-year-old), 5th place in the German Championships in Schenefeld with Carlos, 7th place in the CIC*** Schenefeld with Carlos, 9th place in the CIC*** Luhmühlen with Carlos, victory in the CIC** Helvoirt with Lord Lauries, victory in the CIC** Sahrendorf with Opgun Louvo, victory in the CIC** Velen with Carlos. Place CIC*** Luhmühlen with Carlos, victory in the CIC** Helvoirt with Lord Lauries, victory in the CIC** Sahrendorf with Opgun Louvo, victory in the CIC** Velen with Carlos, 5th place Bundeschampionat (6-year-old eventing horses) with Leander, victory "Weser-Ems Championship" with Lord Lauries

2008: Victory in the CNC*** Schenefeld with Carlos, 3rd place in the CIC** Bad Harzburg with Carlos, victory in the CCI* with Lord Lauries

2007: Victory in the CIC** Hanover, bronze medal (team) at the European Championships in Blair Castle, German Eventing Team Champion, German Eventing Young Riders Champion in Bonn, victory in the "Preis der Besten" eventing competition in Warendorf

2006: Victory in the "Preis der Besten" eventing competition in Warendorf, victory in the CIC** Kreuth, bronze medal in the European Young Riders Championships (team classification), German Eventing Team Champion

2005: German Champion Eventing Young Riders in Krusemark, 3rd place at the National Championships Cross Country

2004: German Vice Champion Eventing Juniors in Bonn-Rodderberg

Current successes and the 2024 Olympics

Viamant du Matz, another talented partner of Sandra Auffarth, followed in the footsteps of Opgun Louvo. They competed together at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon/USA. In 2019, they put in a strong performance in front of their home crowd at the European Championships in Luhmühlen, finishing in eleventh place. A highlight followed in 2021, when they were part of the German team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. There, they suffered minor faults in dressage and cross-country, but were able to secure fourth place for the German team with three clear rounds in show jumping. A year later, they returned to the top when they won team gold at the World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro/Italy. In 2023, they achieved their greatest success to date with team silver and individual bronze at the European Championships in Haras du Pin, France.

In addition to her successful eventing career, Sandra Auffarth is also active in show jumping. With La Vista, she has secured several top places in the Hamburg Show Jumping Derby and also took part in the German Show Jumping Championships. This year, she achieved third place in Balve with her home-bred horse Comcador OLD and came 15th at the German Championships with Quirici H after winning a competition there. Shortly after her nomination for the Olympic Games in Paris, Sandra Auffarth and Quirici H caused a surprise at the CHIO Falsterbo: after a second place with the team in the Nations Cup, they won the Grand Prix.

Three days before the eventing riders were due to start at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, her entry was withdrawn because her horse Viamant du Matz was not one hundred percent fit. Sandra Auffarth was then replaced by Julia Krajewski with Nickel.

Conclusion

Sandra Auffarth's career in German equestrian sport is an impressive success story, ranging from her early start with the pony Faryno to international triumphs with horses such as Opgun Louvo and Viamant du Matz. With numerous titles at European Championships, World Championships and the Olympic Games, she has established herself as one of the outstanding eventing riders. Her ability to be successful in both show jumping and eventing makes her an inspiring personality in equestrian sport. Sandra Auffarth's commitment and tireless dedication to the training of young horses show that she will continue to play an important role in equestrian sport in the future.