The three-star competition in Mannheim, Germany, concluded on Monday with the Grand Prix. Over 1.60m high obstacles, eight combinations were allowed to compete in the jump-off for the gold. Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen surprised everyone and let Henrik von Eckermann settle for silver and took the gold herself!
Sophie Hinners came first in the jump-off with eight. Riding Addresse (by Messenger), the German rider got off to a strong start but on the oxer after the combination, the nine-year-old mare made a mistake. The duo finished with a fast time of 42.39 but with four penalties behind their names. Second to start was another German combination, namely Ulrich Hensel on Europa H (by Escudo I). They managed to be the first to have a clear jump-off and with 45.75 seconds put themselves provisionally on one.
Czech rider Vladimir Tretera also started strongly with the KWPN's Gangster v.H. Noddevelt (by Eldorado vd Zeshoek) but the penultimate obstacle, consisting of a wall, threw a spanner in the works for them. Then we saw the current number one in the world, Henrik von Eckermann in action. The Swede had Dzara Dorchival (by Qlassic Bois Margot) under the saddle and once again proved why he is the number one. The duo rushed through the 1.60m high course in a time of 42.68 and thus took over the lead position.
Sanne Thijssen (NED) and Con Quidam Rb (by Quinar) already had a fast time in the basic round and were clearly eager to continue this line in their jump-off round. They were chasing von Eckermann and rode no less than another second faster than their predecessor! With 41.65 seconds on the clock, they were the new leader of this Grand Prix in Mannheim. Stefan Engbers, the German emerging talent, was next to try to do even better and was in the saddle of Baju NRW (by Balou du Rouet). The duo put their focus on a clear round and succeeded, with a finishing time of 44.55 seconds.
With Marcel Marschall and Coolio (by Casalito), we saw another German combination in the ring competing for the gold. Their intermediate time was no match for von Eckermann or Thijssen, nor was their finishing time any faster. Without even touching a bar they finished in a time of 45.15 seconds. The last to start was David Will (GER) on Zaccorado Blue (by Zirocco Blue). For them, the first obstacle immediately gave them the deciding factor, with a beam in the sand. Third obstacle also had them at fault, leaving the pair with eight penalties and a time of 44.54 seconds.
This put Sanne Thijssen as a convincing winner in first place, leaving the world's number one, Henrik von Eckermann, behind her! Stefan Engbers held the German honor high and jumped to bronze.
Photo©: Sunshine Tour - Equus Media / Sanne Thijssen & Con Quidam