CIAT Bernried 2023

The Verein Fahrkultur und -sport im Pfaffenwinkel e.V. was for the 18th time able to invite participants to an event for traditional turnouts in the beautiful village of Bernried on Lake Starnberg on Saturday June, 24th 2023. As usual the CIAT (Concours International D’Attelage de Tradition) had been announced according to the AIAT regulations.

There were no problems to solve this year for our experienced organisation team and so everything was prepared in time and everyone looked forward to the first participant to start. Friday was, as always, the arrival day, when our international guests from Switzerland, Italy and Austria arrive and put up their horses in the loose boxes in the spacious machine shed of the Neues Hofgut Bernried. At this point we feel obliged to express our special thanks to its owner for the permission to be guests here every year.

It is a tradition that the drivers’ meeting takes place in the Salettl of the hotel „Drei Rosen” in Bernried. After a champagne reception and refreshments provided by the kitchen of the „Drei Rosen”, the drivers’ meeting began with the official welcome speech by the chairman of the association Fahrkultur und -sport im Pfaffenwinkel e.V. and former mayor of Bernried, Sepp Steigenberger. This year the jury was formed by Baron Christian Langlade (F), Raimundo Coral Rubiales (ESP) and Claudia Bunn (GB). After his speech the schedule for the following day was presented and discussed in detail. The road track of 14 km with its PCs (This route had been praised after previous events.) was explained in detail so that the numerous „newcomers” received a clear idea of what they could look forward to.

Due to the numerous inclined parts of the road and the forecast of hot summer temperatures, the pace was reduced again this year.

On Saturday morning, the sun shone brightly over the village and welcomed everybody in Bernried. Hundreds of spectators had arrived in the courtyard of the Convent of Bernried where the turnouts which had been made spick and span were judged and presented by the speakers and experts Anette Spitzenpfeil and Sepp Steigenberger. The lookers on were able to admire a colourful variety of horses and carriages. Besides 10 pair turnouts, 5 single horse carriages and 2 teams were introduced to jury and public. Unfortunately, there were 2 short term cancellations due to health reasons, we wish the drivers and horses to recover soon. This year a wide variety of sets of harness were shown, ranging from travelling harness to a Landau, sets of harness made of brown leather to rural natural wood carriages to sports harness to a Break or a Phaeton and an extremely rare set of Curricle harness (2 horses put to a two-wheeler). This colourful mixture amazed the audience and the speakers who were eager to explain the main characteristics of the turnouts as well as their historical background to the  extremely interested audience. This year, too, the majority of the carriages presented were historic carriages from the late 19th or early 20th century which have been lovingly restored and kept alive. There was also a great variety of horses, from the traditional Karossiers (heavy warmbloods) to lively Hungarian half-breeds or Fjord horses to cold- blooded horses.

After they had been introduced to the public the turnouts set off on the 14.4 km long route leading along Lake Starnberg through Bernried Park and the Bernried forests to the Auweiher pond. From there it lead through the park of the Castle Höhenried, again along the shore of Lake Starnberg to the finish at the Höhenried Mansion. The whole route is characterized by so many scenic passages and picturesque views. The enthusiastic participants of the drive were welcomed in front of the Höhenried Mansion by the Bernried countrywomen with sparkling wine and delicious snacks. The most difficult parts of the route were crossroads which, however, were secured by the Bernried Volunteer Fire Brigade. Warmest thanks for their commitment!

According to AIAT-Rules, on the road track the drivers had to negotiate driving tasks in order to prove their driving skills. This year, all the tasks were set up in places that were easily accessible to the public and were attended to by many spectators. “The Greeting” in Bernried Park, after 1.4 km, showed that we drivers think that friendliness is important and this test was passed by almost all participants without any problems. The second driving task, ”The Circle” at 5.1km, was set up on a small meadow in the village, where the drivers had to drive a one-handed circle – an exercise to show that the drivers can drive their horses one handed – important in case the right hand is needed for other tasks, e.g. for greeting or operating the crank brake. The last driving task was placed in the park of the Castle Höhenried at 11.8 km near the Monopteros. The most appropriate task in such a place is the „Glass of Champagne „. The task requires to bring the turnout to a standstill next to a stand with the glass, then to take the champagne glass (filled with fruit sparkling wine), to drink it or let the guests drink it, go on one handed and stop again next to the second stand and put the glass down again there. After an agreeable lunch break, participants and judges gathered at the obstacle course on Weilheimer Straße. At 2pm the inspection of the course was permitted, during which the drivers could memorise the course and explore the line to be driven. During the following cone driving, the public admired the skill of the drivers negotiating the cones in an impressive way. The course could be driven in smooth lines, the backdrop of which formed the view of the lake and its eastern bank. Unfortunately, the cone driving lasted less than one hour so the public and the drivers were not able to enjoy the view any longer. Thanks also to our hard-working helpers who had set the individual obstacle width for each turnout fast. After all the turnouts had completed the cone driving, the same hard-working helpers cleared away cones and decorations so that there was enough space for all the turnouts to line up for the subsequent prize giving ceremony.

René Rahm (CH) was the winner of the single category, last year’s winner Jürg Stettler (CH) was the winner of the pair category and Michael Meloth (D) was winner of the teams.

After the national anthems had been played in honour of the winners, Anette Spitzenpfeil and Sepp Steigenberger sent the teams off on the lap of honour, by which the participants traditionally thank judges, helpers, organizers and the audience for a wonderful event. While „Good bye, my little officer of the guard”, the anthem of the drivers of traditional turnouts sounded from the loudspeakers, the teams drove at a brisk trot with that magnificent scenery of Lake Starnberg in the background, and the audience clapped their hands in accordance with the rhythm.

Leaving the show ring all the participants received their guest gifts and then made their way to the stables for a rest and to care for their horses.

The participants, judges and organizers met for the festive evening on the beautifully decorated lakeside terrace of the Hotel Marina to enjoy the end of this wonderful event as a party among friends, a live music group accompanying the party.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, helpers and sponsors cordially and on behalf of the organizers and participants. Without such impressive, energetic support, we would not be able to organize such an event.

We look forward to seeing you again at the next CIAT in Bernried on 29.06.2024. Sepp Steigenberger and Boris Kapfelsperger – Pictures © Gerhard Schubert