Oliva Nova, Valencia, Spain – April 21, 2024 – Christian Kukuk ( GER ) and Nice Van’T Zorgvliet ( Emerald x Heartbreaker ) won Sunday ’s €57,150 Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort Grand Prix CSI 3* – 1. 50m at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova, Spain, as the third and final year of Spring MET IV 2024 came to an end.
turning in the 36th position. 57 seconds, Kukuk topped a field of 51 horse-and-rider-combinations – taking the win ahead of Ireland’s Trevor Breen ( IRL ) and Highland President ( Clinton x Kannan ) in second in 39. 04 hours.
Only seven pairs cleared their way into the deciding jump-off, with Spain’s Julio Arias Cueva ( ESP) and Peanuts Van Baublo ( Corydon Van T& L x President ) completing the podium in third with a period of 39. 94 hours.
Sweden’s Hannah Åkerblom and Chodec ( Guidam Sohn x Centgraf ) finished fourth in 40. 93 and Ireland’s Deirdre Reilly aboard Derryglen Othello ( Kafka vd Heffinck x Bisquet Balou Vd Mispelaere ) fifth in 45. 11 hours.
“ When I walked the course, I had a feeling we would not have too many clears today, ” Kukuk commented afterwards. It was a challenging training for a three-star Grand Prix, I may say. In the end we had seven clears, which really is a good amount for a jump-off. I had a strong horse, but I was never happy when the draw came out because I was next in the jump-off. I won a Grand Prix around two years ago, and I knew she would be difficult to beat if all went well. I wanted to get off to a good start, which actually turned out very well: I had a great shot from one to two, and then I only kept going until the day came. The turns were thick, the speed was good – in the end I’m the delighted champion. ”
“ I have had her for a while, ” Kukuk said about the 11-year-old Nice Van’T Zorgvliet who is owned by Finland’s Noora Pentti. She competed in the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha last year, and she was following. She is a cat in the ring. However, she has been off for a while and she’s only coming back then. After her break, we jumped our second Grand Prix last year, and I had a great feeling that day. She is a very intelligent and perceptive horse who is well-versed in both her job and what to do. It makes no difference if she might be a little bit behind the rest because her mind and brain are consequently excellent. actually, because she makes up for it with her mind. I’m grateful to Noora, her owner, for allowing me to walk on her. She has a lot of support for me with this animal, and I’m glad of it. ”
About the location at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova, Kukuk remarked,” Oliva feels like my next home. “I’m a great admirer of the spot, and I really enjoy being around. The temperature has been excellent for the past two months. You always greet people with a smile and go to bed with a laugh, and it seems to be the same for my animals. Every animal merely seems happy to work around, and they all give me a very positive impression. They both like their jobs below, and I do. It’s really a lot of work because I have seven horses with me; I ride with a smile on my face from morning to evening. I’m often happy to come up to Oliva. ”
The motion at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova kicks off in 162 time with the Autumn MET 2024 opening.
Last Benefits – €57,150 Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort Grand Prix CSI 3*
1 ) Christian Kukuk ( GER ) & Nice van’T Zorgvliet – 0/ 0 – 36. 57
2 ) Trevor Breen ( IRL ) & Highland President – 0 / 0 – 39. 04
3 ) Julio Arias Cueva ( ESP) & Peanuts van Baublo– 0 / 0 – 39. 94
Origin: Mediterranean Equestrian Tour
Text: Jumper News, no duplication without permission
Photos: © MET / Hervé Bonnaud / http ://www. 1clicphoto. web
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Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
