The start signal has been given for the Western European League World Cup season! Max Kühner takes the lead in the World Cup season. "It is my first time here in the new place. I love it, there are good conditions to work and the horses have sublime facilities, which helps to support the sport!" Kühner said after his victory.
The Western European League of the World Cup season has kicked off. In Oslo, nine combinations qualified for the jump-off of the World Cup qualifier. Harrie Smolders and the 17-year-old Cassini II son, Monaco (breeder: Ralf Lütje), were the first to start in the jump-off. Smolders set the tone with a clear second round in 41.51 seconds.
Quite a few combinations managed a clear round, but Smolders' time proved difficult to beat. It was a wait until the third-to-last rider at the start, Max Kühner and the 15-year-old EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (Chacco-Blue, breeder: Mark Sherry). The pair finished clear in 40.52 seconds, taking over the lead.
"For Monaco, another second place to add to his record," Smolders said afterwards. "Monaco is truly a fantastic horse, and you can feel him getting energy from the crowd. A second place is a good starting position, and we'll see how the rest of the season goes, as the Netherlands only has one spot..."
Max Kühner speaks next: "This is truly fantastic," says the Austrian. "I knew my horse could be incredibly fast in the jump-off. I was aware that I had to make up time in the turns. People were riding hard, and I am convinced it was great sport for the spectators!"
"For me, EIC Up Too Jacco is the horse of a lifetime. We've been a team for a while now and are fully attuned to each other. I had a good feeling about him right from the start!"
Martin Fuchs and Fortjump de Beaumenil (Cornet Obolensky, breeder: F-X Frenoy) ultimately came third. The Swiss rider relegated Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann with Cellagon Cascais (Colestus) to fourth place.
"It's a good start to the season and I am happy with the podium finish," Fuchs reacted afterwards. "The course was interesting, yet challenging despite the many clear rounds. For Fortjump, this was his first World Cup, and I am really looking forward to the future with him!"
The only Belgian in the jump-off was Mathieu Bourdeaud'Hui with the 12-year-old BWP stallion, Oscar the Homage (Quint vh Maarlo Z, breeder: Koen Geerits). The pair finished clear in 43.00 seconds to secure an impressive fifth place! The Krismar rider shares fifth place with Henrik von Eckermann and the 16-year-old BWP gelding, King Edward (Edward).
