This task was anything but easy. It was particularly the triple combination at obstacle 11 (upright-upright-oxer) that brought many a contestant to their limits, as well as the testing finish line, consisting of a mighty triple-bar and narrow upright. Only five of the world-class duos who entered managed to finish the first round with no faults. For them, the task was then to find the right strategy again for the excitingly-laid-out jump-off.
Something the British rider William Whitaker had evidently found. This 25-year-old nephew of John Whitaker, with his agile twelve-year-old Fandango, progeny of Last Liberty, focused right from the start and made perfect use of his gelding’s extensive gallop. Fault-free and in 35.23 seconds, the duo galloped over the finishing line and received ear-splitting cheers from the packed ranks of spectators.
"I don’t know what made the difference today, but Lady luck was certainly on my side. My uncle didn’t actually win today, but he’s sure to be pleased to see another Whitaker standing up here", said William in the winner’s interview.
Second place went slightly surprisingly to Turkish rider Omer Karaevli. Jumping outstandingly, his Belgian gelding Dadjak Ter Puttenen didn’t touch a single bar and his rapid time was rewarded with second place and much applause from the spectators.
There was a breathless hush during the ride by the last starter: GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED). Everyone at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER had their fingers crossed for him and his twelve-year-old Holsteiner gelding GLOCK’s Cognac Champlanc. Jump after jump, the statuesque great white horse’s performance captivated all. When the clock ultimately stopped at 36.97 seconds and the GLOCK dream team had secured third place in the GLOCK’s CSI3* Grand Prix, there was no holding back as the arena resounded to jubilant rejoicing!
There was a hint of bad luck for the Austrian participants. The best result was delivered by Hugo Simon (St) in the saddle on Freddy 7. With five fault points he was 19th.
15 - GLOCK's CSI3* GRAND PRIX
Int. show jumping with jump-off, 1.55 m
Counting for the Longines World Ranking List
1. Fandango - Whitaker William (GBR) 0/35.23 sec
2. Dadjak Ter Puttenen - Karaevli Omer (TUR) 0/35.57 sec
3. Glock's Cognac Champblanc - Schröder Gerco (NED) 0/36.97 sec
4. Crazy Quick - Skrzyczynski Jaroslaw (POL) 4/34.72 sec
5. Argento - Whitaker John (GBR) 4/35.53 sec
6. Colorit - Will David (GER) 1/78.60 sec
7. Banca Popolare Bari Cassandra - Franco Francesco (ITA) 1/80.75 sec
8. Picsou du Chene - Fuchs Martin (SUI) 4/69.48 sec
9. MCB Ulke - Bruggink Gert Jan (NED) 4/72.27 sec
10.Sportsmann S - Jung Michael (GER) 4/73.70 sec
11.Sweet de Beaufour - Modolo Zanotelli Marlon (BRA) 4/73.75 sec
12.Admara 2 - Gaudiano Emanuele (ITA) 4/73.79 sec
Cynar V. under Martin Fuchs is the outstanding final victor in the GLOCK’s Youngster Tour!
The great final day at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER was opened today by 30 seven and eight-year-old ‘youngster’ horses. The GLOCK’s Youngster Finale over 1.35 m featured a basic round leading over twelve obstacles and 15 jumps. Only those remaining fault-free here could contest victory in the jump-off. Fourteen duos made the draw for the final and delivered a truly thrilling finish! But it wasn’t only time that was a critical factor. The huge oxer at the finish turned out to be quite a cliff and was to cost many a contestant a top placing.
For one of them, these challenges were no problem. Young Martin Fuchs from Switzerland piloted eight-year-old Cynar V., progeny of Clarimo x Alcatraz, skilfully around the course, produced a sensational finish on the last jump and secured victory in a fault-free 32.32 seconds.
"This is already my fifth 'Sunday win' at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. Cynar really is an exceptional horse with very good anticipation. My hope now is that we might be standing here again for a winner’s interview this afternoon after the GLOCK’s CSI3* Grand Prix", said Martin Fuchs with a mischievous smile.
This gold medal winner in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore pushed Friday’s winning duo, Alex Duffy (IRL) and Dancing Queen Z, into second place. His seven-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dulf Van De Bisschop x Quintessence Z) was a delight to watch, not only because of her outstanding technique but also her speed, at just 34.02 seconds.
Tina de l'Yserand (Allegreto x Quiniou) under Pius Schwizer (SUI) also showed her great potential, completing an immaculate, dream round in 34.07 seconds to take third place.
Max Kühner (AUT/T) and eight-year-old Holsteiner Cielito Lindo managed a double clear round in 35.36 seconds for fifth place. Stefanie Bistan (AUT/NÖ) in the saddle on Campino 457 picked up a fault on an obstacle in the jump-off, but their time of 39.88 seconds was plenty for eighth place. Markus Saurugg (AUT/St) and Spirit 31 achieved the very good time of 33.77 seconds in the jump-off and so, despite two knockdowns, made twelfth place.
03 - CSIYH1* GLOCK’s YOUNGSTER TOUR FINALE
Int. show jumping competition with jump-off, 1.35 m
1. Cynar V. - Fuchs Martin (SUI) 0/32.32 sec
2. Dancing Queen Z - Duffy Alex (IRL) 0/34.02 sec
3. Tina de l'Yserand - Schwizer Pius (SUI) 0/34.07 sec
4. Quadros - Kutscher Marco (GER) 0/34.32 sec
5. Cielito Lindo - Kühner Max (AUT/T) 0/35.36 sec
6. Idealist v.d.Molendreef - Mallat Maiju (FIN) 0/39.63 sec
7. Cheese W Z - Allen Bertram (IRL) 4/34.51 sec
8. Cantini Della Caccia - Estermann Paul (SUI) 4/35.14 sec
9. Dino - Kontio Anna-Julia (FIN) 4/36.14 sec
10.Fuerst Willi - Hassmann Felix (GER) 4/36.76 sec
11.Campino 457 - Bistan Stefanie (AUT/NÖ) 4/39.88 sec
12.Spirit 31 - Saurugg Markus (AUT/St) 8/33.77 sec
Photo : Whitaker and Fandango - Michael Rzepa