Shutterfly reigns supreme in Stuttgart
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Germany hosts a plethora of international horse shows, and one of the most prestigious is the Stuttgart German Masters. It is a now a CSI5*-W, a CDI5*-W and a CAI-W. The 24th event in the series was held at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle from 19 to 23 November. In addition to the top-class international jumping, dressage and 4-in-hand carriage driving, the programme also included a Derby-type class for Eventing riders, as well as national jumping and dressage classes.
The superb pairing of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly made history by becoming the first to record three consecutive victories in the Grand Prix. They were the second to ‘do the double’ of the German Masters title and the Grand Prix, the first having been one of the greatest combinations of all time: John Whitaker and Milton, in 1988.
The 39-year-old California-born rider (who has headed the world ranking table since the start of this year) and Shutterfly (15-year-old dark brown Hannoverian gelding by Silvio I, out of Famm, a mare by Forrest, and whose stable name is Petey) began their campaign in Thursday evening’s Preis der Stuttgarter Hofbräu AG. It was the first of the two classes from which the top 12 riders on points would qualify for Saturday’s German Masters competition.
For this speed class (1.50m), Ulliano Vezzani, the Italian course designer, set a testing 12-fence track which included a double and a treble, and which offered alternatives at number 5 – approaching on a straight line to a tricky vertical or a curve to a slightly easier fence. Of the 44 starters, 19 came home with no penalties. The early leader was the 2nd to go, Sweden’s stylish Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with Casall La Silla (9-year-old bay Holsteiner stallion by Caretino, out of Kira XVII, a mare by Lavall I), whose time was 70.43. 6th to start was Ludger Beerbaum with Couleur Rubin (12-year-old Oldenburger stallion by Cordalme Z, out of Grannuschka, a mare by Grannus-Granit) who attacked the course, but incurred a 4-second penalty at the last fence to have a total time of 69.20. 31-year-old Italian, Emilio Bicocchi, and Jeckerson Kapitol d'Argonne (10-year-old chestnut SF stallion by Apache d’Adriers, out of Dame Vannetaise, a mare by Galoubet A), drawn 8th, were faultless and went well into the lead with the time of 63.61. This was to earn 3rd place and €3,000. Meredith and Shutterfly were 15th to go, and without appearing to hurry, shaved 0.08 from this. Eventual 2nd place was worth €4,000. Next in was Portugal’s Luciana Diniz with Suzie Quattro (10-year-old dark chestnut Oldenburger mare by Quattro B, out of Kathi, a mare by Kolibri) who also went well and finished in 64.65. This was good enough for eventual 4th prize (€2,000). Franke Sloothaak with Aquino (11-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding by Acrobat II out of Falerna, a mare by Corrado) and Swiss star Steve Guerdat with Ferrari VI (9-year-old chestnut Oldenburger stallion by Furioso II, out of a mare by Polydor) recorded times of 65.43 and 65.71, to take 8th and 9th prizes of €800 and €600. Representing the home nation, Janne-Friederike Meyer with Cellagon Lambrasco (10-year-old dark bay Holsteiner gelding by Libero, out of Fabia, a mare by Coriolan) started 28th. As usual this lady rode with flair and accuracy, and despite taking the longer route at the 5th fence, her time of 62.53 proved too good for the remaining competitors. Her compatriot, Carsten-Otto Nagel with Corradina (11-year-old grey Holsteiner mare by Corrado I, out of Elsafina, a mare by Sandro) was unpenalised in 64.89, taking 5th prize (€1,400). Switzerland’s Daniel Etter and Peu a Peu (12-year-old bay Westfalien gelding by Polydor, out of Ferrara, a mare by Frühlingsball) were very fast - 62.78 - but brought down the last fence for an amended time of 66.78, good enough for 10th prize (€600). Marcus Ehning with Leconte (12-year-old dark bay Holsteiner gelding by Lasino, out of Gloria VII, a mare by Contender) had the time of 66.84 and finished 11th (€400 ). Kate Levy with Vent du Nord (10-year-old grey BWP gelding by Canadian River, out of Zwichta, a mare by Quidam de Revel), representing the USA , had the time of 65.39, taking 7th prize €1,000). The penultimate starter, Marco Kutscher with Pablo II (12-year-old chestnut DWB gelding by A-Kahn Z, out of Ne Neh Neuf) stopped the clock at 65.09 to take 6th prize of €1,200.
For Britain, John Whitaker with Cortaflex Utah van Erpekom had a good clear in 67.25, finishing 16th, and Tim Gredley with Omelli faulted at 2 and 11c for a total time of 73.95 which left them in 36th place. Ireland’s Jessica Kürten with Castle Forbes Quibell went clear in 66.96 and finished just out of the money in 12th place.
Janne-Friederike, who is 27 and lives near Hamburg, was rewarded with €5,000. Other recent successes of the winning combination include the Münster (CSI 3*) Grand Prix in August and 2nd in the Hannover (CSI 4*) Grand Prix in October. Videos of Janne and all her horses can be found at www.janne-meyer.de. Meredith opened her account with the 2nd place cheque for €4,000.
The Mercedes German Masters (1.55m) was the principal event of Friday night’s performance. An unusual feature of the 10-fence track was a quadruple combination (vertical, 1 stride to an oxer, 2 strides to another oxer and 1 stride to a vertical). However, the distances were very fair, and it caused no problems to these top calibre horses and riders who started in reverse order of qualifying points. Remarkably, 8 of the 12 riders were the fairer sex. The first five made the course look easy, and the course designer could be forgiven if he felt relieved when the next four had fences down. The last three also went through to the jump-off.
The jump-off course began with fence 3, an oxer, then a new oxer, followed by the first two parts of the quadruple, continuing to the 4th, a vertical, and the 5th, a vertical over a water tray, and concluding with a long run to another new fence, a square oxer. France’s Eugenie Angot with Ilostra Dark (12-year-old bay SF mare by.Palestro II, out of a mare by Nemrod de Baussy) had the difficult job of going first, and had problems: a refusal at the 1st and hitting the penultimate. Their score of 14 faults in 57.73 meant 8th place. Luciana Diniz with the attractive Suzie Quattro produced a good clear in 41.92 which was to earn 4th prize (€8,000). Kate Levy with Vent du Nord was 0.94 faster. Their 2nd place finish was rewarded with €15,000. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson did not ask too much of the relatively inexperienced Casall La Silla but finished ahead of Luciana, with the time of 41.75 and took 3rd prize (€12,000). Janne-Friederike Meyer with Cellagon Lambrasco faulted at the penultimate fence in the time of 42.29 for 7th place. Those placed 7th to 12th each received €1,000. Next came Meredith and Shutterfly, and right back ‘on song’ after their relatively disappointing performance in the Olympics, the brilliant partnership came home clear in 40.07. Marco Kutscher with Cash 63 (12-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding by Carthago, out of V2, a mare by Lavall II) were going well but faulted at the water-tray fence, as did Jessica Kürten with Castle Forbes Cosma (8-year-old chestnut Oldenburger mare by Couleur Rubin, out of Sunshine, a mare by Peter Pan). Their times of 40.26 and 41.36 earned them 5th and 6th prizes (€5,000 and €3,000). Meredith’s prize was a Mercedes GLK 280 car worth €48,000.
“I’m still speechless. Meredith produced an extraordinary performance”, said Gotthilf Riexinger, the director of the horse show. “My congratulations and I’d also like to pay my compliments to the horse, which has already been so successful here in Stuttgart.” Meredith returned the praise: “Thanks very much for organising such a fantastic competition. It’s one of the best in show jumping.” Her target was to qualify for the final, and after triumphing twice in the Grand Prix (2006 and 2007) she said: “This time it just had to be the German Master” and looking forward to Sunday: “Shutterfly loves Stuttgart”. Hans-Michael Huber, the Managing Director of the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Stuttgart, was also excited: “It was marvellous the way the atmosphere in the arena became so electric when she was riding. As we are every year, we’re entirely satisfied. It’s simply our show”.
Sunday afternoon’s Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix of Stuttgart presented by Mercedes-Benz and BW-Bank was the 4th of the qualifiers for the 2009 World Cup Final. The first round had a 12-fence course, which included a double and a treble. 17 of the 40 starters went clear - a few more than the course designer would have wanted. ‘Lady Luck’ was shining on Meredith because, uncharacteristically, Shutterfly rattled poles of two obstacles but neither fell. Tim Gredley with Omelli and John Whitaker with Casino each had 4 faults, finishing 19th and 22nd. Jessica Kürten retired Quibell.
The jump-off track began with a wall, followed by an oxer, a vertical, another oxer, a 1-stride double of oxer to vertical (the 1s ttwo elements of the the treble in the 1st round), a vertical over a water tray, and then a long run to the final oxer. The turn to the double was the most significant. In order to win, riders would have to make the tight inside turn, and those whose prime aim was to stay clear would have to take a detour around another fence.
First to go was one of the local riders, Max Kühner with Acantus GK (10-year-old bay Bavarian stallion by Acorado I, out of Waldrose P, a mare by Cantus) and he set a good standard, going clear in 44.14. This earned 8th prize of €5,000. Next came Thomas Mühlbauer with Asti Spumante 7 (13-year-old bay Holsteiner stallion by Argentinus, out of Edilbild, a mare by Landfrieden), who went faster, 37.89, but had a fence down. France’s Timothée Anciaume with Lamm de Fetan (9-year-old bay SF stallion by Fergar Mail, out of a mare by Le Tot de Semilly), took the lead, the clear coming in 39.48. His reward was 5th place worth €11,000 and 12 World Cup points. Norway’s Geir ‘Jimmy’ Gulliksen with L’Espoir (12-year-old chestnut Zangersheide gelding by Landwind II, out of a mare by Feinschnitt I) went clear in 42.95, taking 7th prize (€7,000), and Denmark’s leading lady rider, Tina Lund, piloted Carola (14-year-old grey DWB mare by Coronado, out of Capriole, a mare by Cannon Row) to 6th place (€9,000) with a clear in 42.87. The experienced German combination of Lars Nieberg and Lucie (15-year-old bay Hannoverian mare by Landadel, out of Grandel, a mare by Gralsritter) had 4 faults in 37.31, finishing 10th (€4,000). Italy’s Omar Bonomelli with Quintero 4 (12-year-old chestnut Hannoverian gelding by Quidam de Revel, out of Pauline, a mare by Pilot), and Eugenie Angot with Ilostra Dark each made one mistake. Times of 43.26 and 38.93 left them 17th and 14th respectively. Janne-Friederike Meyer with Cellagon Lambrasco became the fastest of the 4-faulters, her time of 36.17 putting her 9th (€4,000). Rutherford Latham with Guarana Champeix (14-year-old bay SF stallion by Rivage du Poncel, out of Pariade de Pierre) a mare by Jalisco B), winners of the first of the season’s World Cup qualifiers (Oslo in October) were the next to go clear, the time of 39.48 winning 4th prize (€13,000). Rutherford was born in the USA, but took Spanish nationality in 1982. Luciana Diniz with Meautry’s Locarno (13-year-old dark bay Holsteiner gelding by Loran, out of Fiesta 1, a mare by Lombard) had 4 faults in 39.06. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with Quintero La Silla (10-year-old dark bay Holsteiner stallion by Quantum, out of Ibara, a mare by Chamonix) had 4 faults in 37.81. Steve Guerdat with Jalisca Solier (11-year-old bay mare by Alligator Fontaine, out of Dune Solier, a mare by Jalisco B) went well into the lead with the time of 36.43. His reward was the runner-up prize of €27,000 and 17 World Cup points. The pair was also 2nd in the Verona qualifier a fortnight previously). Ludger Beerbaum and Coupe de Coeur 2 (11-year-old grey Holsteiner stallion by Calido I, out of Adele, a mare by Lincoln) made one error in 37.70. Brazil’s Alvaro Miranda with AD Picolien Zeldenrust (11-year-old chestnut KWPN mare by Indoctro, out of La Nicolien Zeldenrust, a mare by Concorde) had a clear in 37.31, taking 3rd prize (€20,000) and 15 points. Daniel Etter with Peu a Peu had 4 faults in 39.64. With the advantage of the last draw, and full of confidence, Meredith gave it her all, and Shutterfly responded magnificently, stopping the clock at 35.26, to tumultuous applause from the packed audience.
Meredith won not only her second car (ML 280 TD worth €53,895) over the weekend but also 20 World Cup points, though this was not important, because as the holder of the title, she is automatically qualified. “It’s such an honour to win Stuttgart three times in a row”, Meredith said just after her victory. “I don’t think anyone has ever done that. I watched Steve Guerdat ride in the jump off, everybody knows how difficult it is to beat Steve. He was the only one to successfully do the inside turn to the double combination. All others either avoided the risk or had a fault. So I had to try this as well. My luck is that I have this incredible horse. Shutterfly is 15 years old, but he still going strong.” She didn’t have an explanation for her win. “Steve had a perfect ride, I would have to analyse the video.” Steve didn’t need the footage. “The last line, Shutterfly was faster going to the Rolex oxer. I had beaten Meredith once this year, in Lyons. It’s a bit much to ask to beat her twice!” he joked. “I lost it in the last line. My mare doesn’t like to jump coming out of a big stride, so I pulled her up a bit. I just didn’t want to take the risk. But the result is fine by me, we had a super round and I’m very happy to be in the lead of the competition [the Western European League] so far.”
The international classes began on Thursday afternoon, with the Preis der Bardusch GmbH Textil-Mietdienste (1.45m). It was divided into two sections, both being qualifiers for the Knock-Out and the Speed Masters, and each worth €1,250 to the winner. In the section for German riders, 6 of the 31 starters went clear. Fastest of them was Philipp Weishaupt with Cockney 17 (9-year-old bay Westfalien gelding by Champion du Lys, out of Sabrina, a mare by Sandro). Their round was a remarkable 5.29 quicker than that of Franke Sloothaak with Al Faras Riamo (10-year-old chestnut Rhinelander stallion by Rapahael, out of Pretty Belinda, a mare by Pilot). The other four clears came from experienced combinations: Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst with Chacco-Blue (10-year-old bay Mecklenberg stallion by Chambertin, out of Contara, a mare by Contender) in 64.53; Carsten-Otto Nagel with Conception 2 (8-year-old dark bay Holsteiner stallion by Contender, out of Germania VI, a mare by Sir Shostakovich) in 64.78; Marcus Ehning with Noltes Küchengirl (11-year-old bay Bavarian mare by Lord Z, out of Classics, a mare by Cambridge Cole) in 66.48; and Lars Nieberg with Lucie in 69.17.
In the section for foreign riders, 11 of the 50 starters went clear. As is usual in opening classes, many competitors chose to ride schooling rounds. Not so the very experienced Frenchman, Roger-Yves Bost. He won with his first horse, Kire Royal Star (10-year-old bay SF mare by Royal Feuout of Theo, a mare by Uriel) with the time of 54.36. On Jovis de Ravel (11-year-old bay SF gelding by Echogene Latour, out of Deborah de Ravel, a mare by Le Tot de Semilly) his time was 55.65, which was good enough for 3rd prize (€750). Emilio Bicocchi was 2nd (€1,000) with Olea (9-year-old bay Holsteiner mare by Caretino, out of Gitania, a mare by Landmeister) in the time of 55.17. Tim Gredley with Toklund (7-year-old bay KWPN mare by Oklund, out of Neanka, a mare by Highline) was clear in 61.06, taking 6th prize (€300). With his other ride, BF Utopia, he had 6 faults in 77.09, finishing 30th. John Whitaker with Casino incurred 6 faults in 76.23, finishing 28th, and with Cortaflex Utah van Erpekom he had 10 faults in 75.10, finishing 41st. Jessica Kürten with Castle Forbes Carrick was 9th (€80) with the time of 63.98.
Friday began with the Preis der Firma Raumpflege AG (1.45m), a 1-round class in which 8 of the 41 starters went clear. The 11-fence course, which included 2 doubles, was very technical, and the first to master it was 12th drawn Marcus Ehning with the very talented but somewhat unpredictable Noltes Küchengirl. Their eventual placing was 6th (€360). Jessica Kürten with Castle Forbes Carrick 8 (8-year-old chestnut Zangersheide stallion by Carthago, out of a mare by Grannus), who does not resemble either his sire or grandsire, had the time of 57.68, taking 7th prize of €300. Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst with Corlando (9-year-old chestnut Oldenburger stallion by Corrado I, out of Petina, a mare by Landfriese I) was 5th €420) with the time of 54.78. Local rider Armin Schäfer jnr with Webster (9-vear-old dark bay BWP gelding by Zeoliet, out of a mare by Farao de Guldenboom) went comfortably into the lead, their time of 52.12 proving too good for the remaining competitors, earning €1,500. Tim Gredley with BF Utopia (12-year-old bay AES stallion by Lord Z, out of a mare by Concorde) took 3rd prize (€900) with the time of 53.76. This is a comparatively new partnership, the horse having previously been ridden by Jodie Streeter. Steve Guerdat with Kador du Valon (10-year-old bay SF gelding by Quidam de Revel, out of Ballerine du Valon, a mare by Quinquin du Valon) was 4th (€600) with the time of 53.81. Germany’s Timo Beck with Askaban (8-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding by Acorado I, out of Indiana F, a mare by Capitol I) were 0.10 faster to take 2nd prize of €1,200. The sole Greek rider at the event, Athina Onassis de Miranda, with AD Babouche (8-year-old chestnut Zangersheide gelding by Baloubet du Rouet, out of Grace Kelly, a mare by Aldato), with the time of 63.34 took 8th prize of €240. Fastest of all, in 50.43, was again Roger-Yves Bost with Kire Royal Star, who was drawn 3rd, but 7A, a vertical, fell, so he took 9th prize of €180. 10th was Carsten-Otto Nagel with Conception (4 faults in 51.75), and 11th was Ludger Beerbaum with Gotha (4 faults in 55.54). They won €180 and €120 respectively. John Whitaker with Lactic 2 faulted at fences 6 and 9, both oxers, in 52.79, finishing 23rd.
The evening performance began with the Preis der Fa DIW Instandhaltung Ltd & Co KG (1.50m), the second qualifier for the Masters. The 12-fence course included 3 doubles, at 7, 8 and 12. These accounted for a high proportion of the errors. 15 of the 47 starters went clear. The first two were the Danish duo: pathfinder Thomas Velin with Godsend du Reverdy (14-year-old chestnut SF stallion by Quidam de Revel, Venue de la Lande, a mare by Grand Veneur) whose time of 62.96 earned eventual 4th place and €2,500; and Tina Lund and Carola whose time of 70.26 gave them 11th place and €500. Representing the United Arab Emirates 23-year-old HH Sheika Latifa Al Maktoum with Oleandre (10-year-old bay SBS gelding by Kashmir van Schuttershof, out of Cadence Manciaise, a mare by Roy de Vergoignan) produced a steady clear in 74.23, finishing 14th. Omar Bonomelli with Quintero 4 was next to go clear, the time of 70.39 earning 12th and last prize of €250. Evergreen French star Michel Robert with Kellemoi de Pepita (10-year-old bay SF mare by Voltaire, out of Pepita du Parc, a mare by Jalme des Mesnuls) had the time of 65.92, taking 7th prize of €1,250. Eugenie Angot with Ilostra Dark went into the lead with the time of 62.48, but had to settle for 2nd place (€5,000). Marco Kutscher with Cash 63 was 8th (€1,000) and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with Quintero La Silla was 9th (€750) with times of 67.39 and 69.81 respectively. Max Kühner with Acantus GK was 13th with the time of 71.79. The next clear came from Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts with Kassini Jac (10-year-old chestnut Holsteiner stallion by Cassini II, out of Champagne, a mare by Lombard) formerly ridden by Hubert Bourdy, his time of 69.98 giving him 10th prize (€500). Roger-Yves Bost with Ideal de la Loge (12-year-old bay SF stallion by Dollar du Murier, out of Ulenda, a mare by Joyau d'Or) was clear in 62.90, good enough for 3rd place (€3,750). Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum with Le Mans 8 (13-year-old chestnut Bavarian gelding by Leubus, out of Lavinia, a mare by Landadel) had the slowest of the clears – 75.07. Australia’s Edwina Alexander with Itot du Chateau (12-year-old chestnut SF gelding by Le Tot de Semilly, out of Sophie du Chateau, a mare by Galoubet A) took 6th prize (€1,500) with the time of 65.53. The Dutch star pairing of Albert Zoer with Oki Doki (12-year-old bay KWPN gelding by Jodokus, out of Kentucky, a mare by Topas) did not pull out all the stops, recording the time of 63.60 to finish 5th (€1,750). The penultimate rider was Jessica Kürten with Quibell (14-year-old bay Danish-bred mare by Quidam de Revel, out of Tattersal Whitney, a mare by Lagano) and she rode a characteristically brave round, finishing in 62.34 to take the winner’s prize of €6,250.
Tim Gredley with his WEG 2006 partner Omelli (12-year-old bay KWPN gelding by Burggraaf, out of Kelly, a mare by Equador) brought down the oxer at 10, their time of 63.18 placing them 18th. John Whitaker with Casino faulted at the 10th fence in 65.87, finishing 21st.
Saturday morning began with the Preis der Firma XXL-Sicherheit, a Knock-Out for the top riders in the first two classes joined by qualified riders from the region. It resulted in another victory for 43-year-old Roger-Yves Bost and Kire Royal Star. His reward was €2,000. The runner-up was 27-year-old Tina Lund (daughter of international footballer Fleming Lund) with Winny the Blue d'Ive (9-year-old BWP mare by Mr Blue, out of True Star d'Ive, a mare by Quickstar) who won €1,600. There were no British or Irish competitors.
This was followed by the Preis der GEZE GmbH, Leonberg (1.50m) for which there was a 12-fence course that included a double and a treble. 21 of the 40 starters qualified for the jump-off. This was over an 8-fence track, including a double. Tim Gredley and Toklund had the unenviable task of going first and went clear again in 35.75. This was good enough to take 9th prize of €600. Austria’s Christian Fries with Lanco (11-year-old bay Bavarian gelding by Lancer III, out of Gloria, a mare by Grannus) immediately bettered this by 0.52, finishing 8th (€800). Steve Guerday with Kador du Valon set a new target of 32.98 and was rewarded with 3rd prize of €3,000. Based in the Netherlands, but representing Finland, Noora Forstén (formerly Pentti) with Winnie PV (9-year-old chestnut BWP mare by Major de la Cour, out of Tina van de Heuvel, a mare by Papi de la Lande) had the slowest of all the clears, 40.00, finishing 14th. Timothée Anciaume with Litsam HN (9-year-old bay SF stallion by Quidam De Revel, out of Tischna, a mare by Kayak) faulted at the 3rd fence, a wall, in 36.21, finishing 16th. Emilio Bicocchi and Jeckerson Kapitol d'Argonne went flat out and went clear in 32.75, earning €4,000. Marco Kutscher with Pablo II went clear in 33.73 and took €1,400 for 6th place. Albert Zoer and Sam hit the 2nd, a vertical, and stopped the clock in 38.04, finishing 17th. Philipp Weishaupt with Souvenir 29 (8-year-old dark bay Hannoverian mare by Stakkato, out of Lucy Lady, a mare by Lemon xx) went clear in 38.64, finishing 13th. Janne-Friederike Meyer with Chika’s Way (10-year-old bay Holsteiner mare by Caretino out of Wodka 2, a mare by Lord) was just 0.19 quicker, finishing 12th. Edwina Alexander (partner of Dutch show organiser, dealer and trainer Jan Tops) with Late Night 16 (8-year-old bay Westfalien mare by Lancer III, out of Dinca, a mare by Dinard L) went clear in 35.93, taking 10th place and €600. The experienced Brazilian Alvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto asked too much of AD Ornella (9-year-old bay Holsteiner mare by Quidam de Revel, out of Wella I, a mare by Lord), turning too sharply to the second fence. She refused it, and also hit the fifth fence, scoring a total of 14 faults in 53.98, and finishing 21st. Germany’s Felix Hassmann with Horse Gym’s Lianos (10-year-old dark bay Westfalien stallion by Landstreicher, out of Grandessa I, a mare by Grannus) had 4 faults in 35.68 , finishing 15th. Roger-Yves Bost with Jovis de Ravel had 8 faults in 35.43, finishing 18th. Lars Nieberg with Gabriel 41 (9-year-old chestnut Hessian gelding by Giorgio, out of Desirú, a mare by Marlo) had a run-out at the 3rd fence, and ended with a total of 9 faults in 52.68, finishing 19th. Ludo Philippaerts with Sam (9-year-old bay KWPN gelding by Kroongraaf, out of Miretta, a mare by Epilot) faulted at the 2nd, the first part of the double and the fence after it, to score 12 faults in 45.71, finishing 20th. Ludger Beerbaum with Couleur Rubin went clear in 33.07, earning €2,000 for 4th place. Rolf-Gõran Bengtsson with Casall La Silla went clear in 34.32, taking 7th prize of €1,000. Carsten-Otto Nagel with Conception went clear but his time of 37.31 meant he finished 11th, just missing the prize money. Belgium’s Philippe Le Jeune with Mozart des Hayettes (12-year-old bay SBS stallion by Papillon Rouge, out of Calbonny, a mare by Nimmerdor), formerly ridden by Gregory Wathelet, Michael Whitaker and Eugenie Angot, went clear in 33.18 to finish 5th (€1,600). Last to go was Michel Robert with Koro d’Or (10-year-old bay SF stallion by Elf D'Or, out of Rose de St Gatien, a mare by Micko Platiere) and their economical track resulted in a clear in 31.82, bringing victory and €5,000.
Michel, who will be 60 on Christmas Eve, began riding at the age of 4, his first mount having been a sheep. He progressed to forge a successful eventing career before switching to show jumping.
Most unusually, John Whitaker finished in last place, Cortaflex Utah van Erpekom having hit fences 8, 9B and 12.
The evening performance began with the rentES Speed Master (1.40m) which was open to the top 10 in Thursday’s first two classes, and the top five in Thursday’s national class. It was worth €2,000 to the winner. The 12-fence course included a double and a treble. 15 of the 25 starters did not incur penalty seconds, but several opted for steady non-competitive rounds. The early leader was Carsten-Otto Nagel with Natalie 80 (10-year-old bay Holsteiner mare by Concerto II, out of Cobra, a mare by Lord) with the time of 63.04. Eventually he took 4th prize of €1,040. Drawn 10th, Manfred Marschall with LB Tamina (12-year-old bay BP mare by Lux, out of Kalinka Royale, a mare by Prince Royale) went well into the lead with the time of 60.90, and this was not bettered. Max Kühner with Golden Coin 3 (10-year-old chestnut KWPN gelding by Iroko, out of Guvelien, a mare by Nimmerdor) took 7th prize (€480) with the time of 65.71. Roger-Yves Bost with Kire Royal Star was 3rd (€1,360) with the time of 61.26. Timo Beck with Askaban took 6th (€640) with the time of 64.39. Johannes Ehning (younger brother of Marcus) with Nina (10-year-old bay Holsteiner mare by Contender, out of Ina, a mare by Barnaul xx) claimed 2nd prize of €1,680, with the time of 61.15. Last to go was Armin Schäfer Jnr, with Webster (9-year-old dark bay BWP gelding by Zeoliet, out of a mare by Farao de Guldenboom), and their time of 63.20 earned 5th prize of €800.
The last event of the night was Preis der Allianz Issler & Abel, a 6-Bar class. Unfortunately it attracted only 10 starters. In the 1st round the heights went from 1.10m to 1.70m, and only the first to go, Timo Beck with Liffey, faulted, refusing at the last fence. Even so, he won €250. For the next round, the first obstacle remained at 1.10m but the others were raised, the 6th being set at 1.85m. Geir Gulliksen with Storm, Johannes Ehning with Markus de Breka, and Marco Kutscher with Woytyla all faulted at the last. They earned €334 each for equal 6th place. Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels with Wizard hit the 5th as well as the 6th winning €250. In the 3rd round numbers 1 and 2 were removed, the others raised (the last to 1.95 m), and a warm-up fence was provided. The remaining five pairs all went clear. For the 4th round the heights went from 1.40 m to 2.05 m. Armin Schäfer Jnr sensibly retired Chiwago (11-year-old grey Oldenburger stallion by Capitol I, out of a mare by Grannus), after he had refused the last fence. Daniel Etter with Wisper Zuid (9-year-old dark bay BWP gelding by Animo, out of Electra, a mare by Nimmerdor) brought down the last fence. Representing the Netherlands, Harrie Smolders with Adamo van het Steenputje (8-year-old bay BWP gelding by Darco, out of a mare by Feinschnitt) went clear, as did the next to go, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst with Corlando. Last to jump was John Whitaker with Lactic 2 (17-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding by Landjunker II, out of A-Cover Girl, a mare by Capitol I). The versatile veteran refused the last, nearly unseating John, who promptly retired. In the previous round, they had survived a ‘rub’ at the penultimate fence. Armin and John each won €1,250, and Daniel €2,500. The rules permitted one more jump-off, but, understandably, Harrie and Alois decided to share the victory, each taking home €4,250.
On Sunday afternoon Andreas Kroll, CEO of Stuttgart Veranstaltungsgesellschaft said: “We’ve seen top class equestrian sport in the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle over the past five days. We’ve sold over 62,000 tickets and we’re very, very satisfied. Sales were very good on Wednesday but Friday would have been much better had it not been for the forecasted onset of heavy snow. We the organisers are very pleased with the way everything has gone and we’ll now quietly go about the job of organising our anniversary horse show next year”.
“A large part of the success of the Stuttgart German Masters is, without a doubt, down to its partners and sponsors, without whom a top event of this size would not be possible”. Confirmation that they both very pleased with the 24th horse show came from Michael Huber, the managing director of the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Stuttgart. When praising the organisers and riders he said: “It is our horse show, we feel at home here. We’ve seen excellent sport of the highest class over the past few days”. He will personally plead for a continuation of Mercedes-Benz’s sponsorship next year. Manfred Rube, spokesman of the Baden-Württembergische Bank, was also satisfied: “We’ve been a part of the show right from its very beginnings. It’s like a marriage now”. As early as the second year, his bank launched the BW-Bank Cup to give up-and-coming Baden Württemberg riders a platform. “We’ll be continuing the series next year. A continued partnership with the Stuttgart German Masters is also in the pipeline.” The city of Stuttgart’s representative saw things in the same way. “The horse show is a jewel in the city’s event calendar” stressed Michael Föll, the Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of in Stuttgart. “We can once again look back positively. The thrilled spectators have seen some outstanding equestrian sport.” The capital city of the State of Baden Württemberg is very proud of the event and will “take good care of it”. Föll thanked the sponsors and Gotthilf Riexinger, the show director. In turn, Riexinger thanked his staff, “without whom an event of this size could not be run smoothly. Each and every competition has begun on time, everything was spot on and it’s fun when everything functions properly. Great sport was on view every day in the arena”. He also dealt with doping in his summary: “The spectators flocked into the hall and they want to see doping-free sport. We did everything we possibly could in the lead-up to the horse show. And now we’re looking forward to our anniversary horse show in 2009.”
Written by Linda Briggs ·
Filed Under
Showjumping
