Pony riders secure girl power in Pony Trophy Grand Prix with Himmelreich in the lead

Pony riders secure girl power in Pony Trophy Grand Prix with Himmelreich in the lead

In Mechelen the pony riders were just presented with the denouement of their weekend (and probably their year): the Grand Prix of the FEI Jumping Ponies' Trophy. This Grand Prix was jumped over a height of 1m35 and in two rounds. The best eleven combinations from the first round were allowed to compete again in the second round. In that second round, the riders started in reverse order of their penalty points. The riders with the fewest penalty points were the last to start in the second round. Germany's Naomi Himmelreich went into the second round with just a time penalty. She could afford two consequently six extra penalty points to secure victory.

Himmelreich chose the safe option with Red Star Optimus (by Goliath van de Groenweg): she decided to jump a quiet round. She also knocked one bar out of the scoops, bringing her total penalty points to six. This meant she had one point less than her first pursuer Ava Eden van Grunsven, enough to take the gold. Ava Eden van Grunsven did manage to record a clear second round behind her name with Special Lady. However, the seven staff points from the first round weighed on her mind, so she had to settle for second place. Ellen Hammarström completed the podium. She rode Ocean Des AS to a total of eight penalty points. 

Rafael Reichart-Eisenhardt (Casino Royale) and Jack Cash (Quina van't Gestelhof) were fourth and fifth. 

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