“Forget it Rodrigo! I am not putting a foot anywhere near that water!” Is what the Holstein-bred Lord Lucio thought, as Brazil’s Olympic gold medallist Rodrigo Pessoa tried to ride into the pond. The bell had already rung, the next starter, Jur Vrieling with El Rocco was already in the ring. The Dutch rider, a horseman through and through, sped to his colleague’s aid and led the way in with his grey gelding.

Lord Lucio plodded warily along behind him and was finally stood in the middle of the pond himself. Hand in hand, Vrieling and Pessoa rode round the pond. Constructive usage of the herd instinct! However, as soon as Vrieling and El Rocco left the pond to get ready for their round, Lord Lucio was back on land again as quick as lightning.

The small interlude didn’t stop the Dutch duo from jumping to victory with a clear round in 60.02 seconds. David Will came second with Accoton PS (63.81), followed by the Belgian rider, Wilm Vermeir with Eytuka Of Two Notes Z (65.26).


Source: Press Release
F©: CHIO Aachen/Michael Strauch