The main class in Rome was a CSI5* 1.55m class which had both a qualification for the Grand Prix and points for the Longines Ranking at stake! In a jump-off with under 1/3th of the starters, it was Richard Vogel who took home the victory to Germany.
64 riders prepared for the 1.55m class in Rome, which counted both as qualification for the Grand Prix and for the Longines Ranking. Only seventeen combinations finished their first round without faults and were allowed to start in the jump-off. In that same jump-off, barely half repeated that performance.The podium colored German with the victory in the hands of Richard Vogel. The nine-year-old Cepano Baloubet (by Chaman) put his best foot forward and clocked his clear jump-off in a fast 37.16 seconds. Fellow countrywoman Jana Wargers was hot on their heels with Dorette (by Dollar du Murier) but had to beat Vogel by 76 hundredths of a second. Michael Cristofoletti kept the honor of the host country and sent Everest D.R (by Carthago Z) to the bronze.
Dutch rider Kim Emmen had Island V G, a ten-year-old KWPN son of VDL Zirocco Blue under the saddle, which she sent clear across the finish line in 39.95 seconds, good for fifth place. At four, ahead of Emmen, came the Swiss Niklaus Schurtenberger, who was 20 hundredths faster than Emmen on Lireu (by Legolas 88).
Photo©: CSIO Di Roma - Piazza di Siena