Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann produced a stellar performance in the 1.55m CSI5* main class in Verona, taking top honors aboard the 10-year-old BWP mare Qasirah van de Reistenhoek (s. Emerald x Kannan). The World Champion delivered a flawless double-clear round, crossing the jump-off timers in an unbeatable 34.81 seconds to claim the victory. Bred by Y. Ramont, Qasirah proved too quick for the rest of the field.
Belgium’s Koen Vereecke pushed hard for the win with Merryweather vt Leeuwerikenhof (s. Emerald x Tenor Manciais). Bred by owner Freddy Demuynck, the 14-year-old BWP mare answered every question in the jump-off, stopping the clock at 36.41 seconds to take a well-deserved second place.
Germany's Daniel Deusser rounded out the podium in third position riding Navarro van het Eelshof (s. Jappelloup vh Dauwhof x Poleander), bred by W. and T. Mertens. Deusser was fastest on the clock in 34.47 seconds, but an unfortunate four-fault penalty relegated the pair to the third step of the podium.
Great Britain's Jodie Hall McAteer took fourth place with Hardessa (s. Berlin x Kashmir van Schuttershof), posting a four-fault jump-off in 34.98 seconds. Dutch rider Bas Moerings finished fifth aboard Kivinia (s. I M Special de Muze x Calido I), stopping the clock at 36.22 seconds with four faults in the final round.
Double Success for Von Eckermann
It proved to be a sensational day in Verona for Henrik von Eckermann. Prior to his 1.55m victory, the Swedish rider had already captured top honors in the 1.50m CSI5* class riding the 13-year-old KWPN mare Iliana (s. Cardento), bred by J.A.M. Bocken.
