Martin Fuchs and Commissar Pezi have written history on Barcelona soil, as the first ever Swiss combination to win the CSIO5* 1m50 Queens Cup Freixenet Trophy.
The twelve best combinations of the first round started again with a clean slate in the winning round in the 1m50 high course designed by Olympic course builder, Santiago Varela.
Jana Wargers (GER) took the lead in the saddle of Limbridge. The duo had only one time fault recorded in the base but tapped two bars in the sand in the second round. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) won this Queens Cup back in 2021, then in the saddle of Like A Diamond van het Schaeck (Diamant de Semilly). This time he counted on the 10-year-old Zy-Zento and set the first clear round with the Zento son. The reference time was recorded at 43.73s, five seconds faster than Wargers. Next in the arena, Peder Fredricson (SWE) with Alcapone des Carmille (Diamant de Semilly). They concluded their clear ride with a time of 46.60s.
After these three combinations, we started with the clear combinations from the first round! Kim Emmen (NED), the first trump card for the Netherlands, was keen on a fast ride and took full advantage of Island V G's great canter. Some time loss towards the double caused Emmen and the Zirocco Blue son to fall just a little short to take over the lead. Their time: 44.46s. Immediately back a Dutch combination under the spotlight. Kevin Jochems (NED) and Camilla van de Helle (Crumble) played it safe and finished clear in 46.86s.
Never before had a Swiss combination managed to win the Queens Cup in Barcelona. Martin Fuchs (SUI) could start to change that, riding a canter jump less than Zanotelli right from the first line. With a clear goal in mind, Fuchs improved the time to beat by as much as two (!) seconds aboard Commissar Pezi (Commissario).
Alex Codina Leria came to the start as the first local combination. Armed with the Belgian-bred Jarno, a son of Non Stop, the 22-year-old was charged with two jumping faults but proved himself a worthy opponent in this strong team.
For Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Nadale van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T) it was only their second competition together and also their debut at five-star level. They concluded with one jumping fault on the second element of the double. Alex Matz (USA) got off to a sour start in the saddle of Cashew CR (Cassini II) with a jumping fault on the first obstacle and a refusal on the number two. The American further guided his 16-year-old gelding to the finish line with confidence.
Another local combination entered Armando Trapote (ESP) and Diabla PS. With the daughter of Chacco Lover, he was charged four penalties on the first element of the double.
Two more to go, and not the least! The world number one, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) had saddled his 11-year-old Iliana (Cardento) and was undoubtedly motivated to take revenge for his fourth place yesterday in the Grand Prix, then with King Edward. An early jumping fault threw a spanner in the works for the pair, who concluded with four penalties and a time of 45.86s.
Latest to shuffle the cards: Kevin Staut (FRA). Dialou Blue PS (Tailormade Diarado's Boy) was his partner in crime for this task. The verdict after a strong ride: Second place with 43.15s on the clock.
The twelve best combinations of the first round started again with a clean slate in the winning round in the 1m50 high course designed by Olympic course builder, Santiago Varela.
Jana Wargers (GER) took the lead in the saddle of Limbridge. The duo had only one time fault recorded in the base but tapped two bars in the sand in the second round. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) won this Queens Cup back in 2021, then in the saddle of Like A Diamond van het Schaeck (Diamant de Semilly). This time he counted on the 10-year-old Zy-Zento and set the first clear round with the Zento son. The reference time was recorded at 43.73s, five seconds faster than Wargers. Next in the arena, Peder Fredricson (SWE) with Alcapone des Carmille (Diamant de Semilly). They concluded their clear ride with a time of 46.60s.
After these three combinations, we started with the clear combinations from the first round! Kim Emmen (NED), the first trump card for the Netherlands, was keen on a fast ride and took full advantage of Island V G's great canter. Some time loss towards the double caused Emmen and the Zirocco Blue son to fall just a little short to take over the lead. Their time: 44.46s. Immediately back a Dutch combination under the spotlight. Kevin Jochems (NED) and Camilla van de Helle (Crumble) played it safe and finished clear in 46.86s.
Never before had a Swiss combination managed to win the Queens Cup in Barcelona. Martin Fuchs (SUI) could start to change that, riding a canter jump less than Zanotelli right from the first line. With a clear goal in mind, Fuchs improved the time to beat by as much as two (!) seconds aboard Commissar Pezi (Commissario).
Alex Codina Leria came to the start as the first local combination. Armed with the Belgian-bred Jarno, a son of Non Stop, the 22-year-old was charged with two jumping faults but proved himself a worthy opponent in this strong team.
For Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Nadale van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T) it was only their second competition together and also their debut at five-star level. They concluded with one jumping fault on the second element of the double. Alex Matz (USA) got off to a sour start in the saddle of Cashew CR (Cassini II) with a jumping fault on the first obstacle and a refusal on the number two. The American further guided his 16-year-old gelding to the finish line with confidence.
Another local combination entered Armando Trapote (ESP) and Diabla PS. With the daughter of Chacco Lover, he was charged four penalties on the first element of the double.
Two more to go, and not the least! The world number one, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) had saddled his 11-year-old Iliana (Cardento) and was undoubtedly motivated to take revenge for his fourth place yesterday in the Grand Prix, then with King Edward. An early jumping fault threw a spanner in the works for the pair, who concluded with four penalties and a time of 45.86s.
Latest to shuffle the cards: Kevin Staut (FRA). Dialou Blue PS (Tailormade Diarado's Boy) was his partner in crime for this task. The verdict after a strong ride: Second place with 43.15s on the clock.