In a thrilling finish at the CSI5 Grand Prix in Lyon, World No. 39 Henrik von Eckermann piloted Hylanderhof's Saruschka (v. Stakkato Gold x Baloubet du Rouet) to a superb victory. Standing out in a demanding jump-off, the Swedish star was the sole rider to keep all the rails up, taking top honors ahead of France's Megane Moissonnier and Switzerland's Martin Fuchs.
The 1.60m Grand Prix in Lyon proved to be a severe test for the international elite, with faultless rounds proving exceptionally hard to come by in the decisive jump-off. Henrik von Eckermann executed a tactical masterclass aboard the 10-year-old mare Hylanderhof's Saruschka, bred by Dufour Stables Ag. Crossing the finish line clear in 49.47 seconds, he secured the win as the only combination to deliver a double-clear performance.
"I knew there were only two combinations coming after me and that nobody had managed to stay clear up until that point. That’s why I didn't want to overdo it. I thought: don't take too much risk and play it safe," Von Eckermann explained afterward. With 49.47 seconds, they stayed comfortably within the time allowed of 51 seconds. "At ten years old, the mare is still relatively green and inexperienced; she hasn't jumped that many 1.60m courses yet. But she remains healthy from head to toe, ultra-cool, and as brave as a lion," the winning rider beamed.
Home rider Megane Moissonnier posted a valiant effort with Glamour du Lys (v. Tobago Chevrier x Poor Boy), bred by Georges Arnaud. A initial time fault in the first round followed by a single penalty in the jump-off placed them second with a time of 51.06 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Switzerland's Martin Fuchs, who posted the fastest time of the jump-off (43.99 seconds) aboard Lorde (v. Clyde LVB Z x Elan de la Cour), bred by Casa Agricola Francisco Jose Rocha, but a single rail down dropped them to third place.
