Traditionally, the young showjumping horses also compete on the first day of the CHIO in Aachen. In this Sparkassen-Youngster Cup, Steve Guerdat immediately jumps to victory with the eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Lusso Gih Z (breeder: Christa Geldbach).
p>Guerdat and the eight-year-old son of Light My Fire narrowly beat the time of Hessel Hoekstra and his BWP stallion, New Pleasure VDL (ex. Saltador ter Putte)(For Pleasure, breeder: Fam. de Maertelaere) in this two-phase competition. Hessel Hoekstra and the seven-year-old gelding thus pushed Shane Sweetnam with Rural Juror SCF (Presley Boy) into third place.
Just outside the top three was Laura Kraut riding the seven-year-old Specialstar (Big Star). Olympic champion Christian Kukuk completed the top five aboard DSP Oganero P (Ogano Sitte).
Stephan de Freitas Barcha wins STAWAG 1.45m Opening Class
The international showjumping action kicked-off today with a Brazilian win. In Aachen it was Stephan de Freitas Barcha who jumped to victory in the 1.45m opening class aboard Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio BH. The pair was over one second faster as Pedro Veniss and CS Hortencia (Etoulon VDL). Ireland's Denis Lynch completed the stage aboard BWP-gelding, Brooklyn Heights (Nabab de Rêve).
