Recurring violator, Axel Hebmüller, maintains his tradition as the victor of the High Rider competition.
Fired up and free-spirited, Axel Hebmueller stoically dons the crown as this year's High Riding Champion. The term "double duty" is no stranger to him, explains Hebmueller, but he's grown accustomed to it – he's swaggered that title before as the first-ever shooting king in his hometown Kaarst.
Now chair of the riding corps for five years running, the 57-year-old beams, "Keeping traditions alive and nurturing a corps isn't just fun, it's vital. I wouldn't have it any other way." Acknowledging the corps is far from ordinary, Hebmueller relishes the mix of riders and horses, a concoction he can't find in a typical shooting club.
As a dedicated equestrian since his youth, it's no wonder horses have been the beating heart of Hebmueller's life. As president of the Neuss district equestrian sports association, he and his family—wife included, who provides riding lessons at Gut Mankartzhof – ardently live and breathe the horse world.
"Horses are the heart of our lifestyle," as Hebmueller succinctly puts it. With a penchant for the pentathlon, Hebmueller gracefully stepped away from athletics but remained steadfast in his equestrian pursuits, eventually finding his way to the shooting club as a "late bloomer." With ties to numerous riding circles, his baptism into the riding corps was a natural transition – and that's where his shooting career took off in 1989 on the Neusser Furth. He officially joined the riding corps of Neusser Bürger-Schützenverein in 2012.
A capricious decision, the High Riding Champion title eluded him before – in a whim, Hebmueller casually tossed his hat in the ring for a second time, spontaneity never wavering in his ethos. "It's all about fun and a love for the game. In the end, it's not about planning years in advance; it's about having the guts in the moment." Unsurprisingly, there's no rigorous preparation for the longstanding ring-stealing tradition, Hebmueller tells us; he gains whatever practice he can during the countless riding events hosted on Mankartzhof.
Though the 57-year-old has traversed the path of High Riding Champion before, the experience remains enchanting. From attending the king's coronation ball shortly after the festival last year to basking in the rider-filled parades, Hebmueller serves both as a symbol of tradition and a revered member within the festivities.
As debate stirs around the role of horses during the shooting festival, the riding corps chief stands resolute. "Horses are central to the heritage of the shooting festival, and I advocate for the preservation of that tradition," Hebmueller insists. "However, understanding and open dialogue should be the cornerstone for discussion to keep up with the times while maintaining reverence for our ancestors."
With the prospect of another year as High Riding Champion before him, Hebmueller isn't quick to make a decision – "It'll come down to the spirit of the moment," he muses. Given the modest size of the corps (currently around 25 members, with an active 15 riders) competing in this year's parades, the possibility for a repeat isn't far-fetched. As legend goes, "All good things come in threes!"
However, becoming Shooting King isn't on his bucket list, Hebmueller reveals. California dreams of royalty aside, Hebmueller couldn't imagine a more fulfilling experience than being the High Riding Champion of Neuss's Shooters alongside the current Shooting King.
Looking ahead, Hebmueller has his sights set on the Neuss Riding Corps' 200-year anniversary in four years. As the oldest existing equestrian association in Germany, "That's something very special indeed," beams Hebmueller. With the Riding Corps entrenched in history and culture, the centuries-old organization continues to differentiate itself from conventional shooting clubs – and that's all that matters to Hebmueller.
Axel Hebmueller, in his role as the High Riding Champion, expresses his affection for other sports, stating, "I may have a passion for equestrian sports, but I appreciate the dynamics and camaraderie found in other sports as well." Continuing his journey, he remains open to participating in various riding events and tournaments, which showcase the diversity of equestrian sports.
