The Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace expands its commitment to animal welfare and social responsibility. A partnership is being formed with Gut Aiderbichl, one of Europe's most renowned animal welfare organizations, which focuses on a shared fundamental idea: responsibility for animals doesn't end with a sporting achievement.
When people talk about international equestrian sports, the focus is often on peak athletic performance, prominent riders, and impressive backdrops. However, for the organizers of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna, something else is also important: the respectful treatment of horses and their well-being.
With the cooperation with Gut Aiderbichl, the event consciously signals its commitment to animal welfare and aims to highlight an aspect that often remains in the background. Today, Gut Aiderbichl offers a permanent home to over 9,900 rescued animals on its farms in several countries and is one of Europe's most well-known animal welfare organizations. Their commitment ranges from rescuing neglected animals to providing permanent accommodation and care.
For co-organizer Sonja Klima, the partnership is a matter of the heart. Horses have been a part of her life for a significant portion of it. The desire to help people and animals runs like a common thread through her life. She herself describes herself as a biophile, a person with a deep connection to nature and all living things.
Anyone who knows Sonja Klima knows that her focus is not on an animal's athletic success, but on its well-being. The partnership with Gut Aiderbichl is therefore one that is particularly close to her heart. Both are united by the conviction that responsibility for animals should not be tied to performance, age, or origin.
This claim also shapes the event itself. The stables are located in the middle of Schönbrunn Palace Park. The horses are prepared in a calm environment, move through the extensive park grounds, and enter the arena via the historic Rose Garden. The cooperation is part of a diverse program through which the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna deliberately sets new accents.
Copyright: © Christian Husar