Germany's Richard Vogel continues his sensational form at the CSI5*-W Stuttgart German Masters. Fresh off his World Cup triumph in Verona just days ago, the current FEI Longines Ranking leader dominated Friday's 1.55m Prize of Outletcity Metzingen—a key qualifier for the Stuttgart German Master—leaving the international field nearly three seconds behind.
Saddling the 10-year-old Selle Français stallion Gangster Montdesir (s. Kannan x Cornet Obolensky), bred by Haras Montdesir, Vogel delivered a masterclass against the clock. Navigating the 1.55m track without a single fault, the pair stopped the timers in a blistering 64.52 seconds, proving untouchable in front of a home crowd.
France's Marc Dilasser came closest to challenging the German frontrunner. Aboard the experienced 16-year-old Selle Français gelding Arioto du Gevres (s. Diamant de Semilly x Qualisco III), bred by Equiouest S.A.R.L., Dilasser kept all the rails up to secure the runner-up spot in 67.51 seconds—just shy of three seconds off Vogel's winning pace.
Fellow German veteran Marcus Ehning completed the podium. Guiding the 15-year-old Oldenburg stallion Stargold (s. Stakkato Gold x Lord Weingard), bred by Gestüt Sprehe GmbH, Ehning produced a smooth, fault-free round in 69.01 seconds to claim third place.
Austria claimed both fourth and fifth positions in the tightly contested top five. Max Kühner steered the promising 8-year-old Oldenburg Springpferd mare Cardi MT (s. Conthargos x Christian) to a clear round in 69.15 seconds for fourth, while compatriot Katharina Rhomberg followed closely behind in fifth aboard the 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Colestus Cambridge (s. Colestus x Cambridge) with a time of 69.49 seconds.
