Hamburg, Germany – May 09, 2024 – David Will (GER) had to endure a long time. Ten pairs long, to be exact since 18 combinations jumped into the jump-off in the €80,500 Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG – DVAG Prize CSI 5* for the Championat of Hamburg, with flawless rounds. As the eighth rider in the jump-off, Will and My Prins van Dorperheide completed a flawless round in 49.06 seconds.
That was the lead, but then he had to wait and see what his colleagues would do. “And I knew that it would have been a little faster,” admits the 36-year-old. “We left a little time here and there. I’m all the happier that it was enough.” In the end, only three participants from the large starting field remained clean in the jump-off and Will won the Championship of Hamburg for the first time.
The first rider had already built up pressure in the jump-off with a clear round: the Belgian Karel Cox (BEL) on Viva la Vida Z. “My horse is still young,” explained the runner-up. “I tried to ride as well as possible without risking too much.” Viva la Vida is just nine years old and was already placed in the Grand Prix of Gorla Minore (ITA) four weeks ago, but this second place came from Hamburg is the greatest success so far for the exceptional young horse. “He has a great canter, can really jump and felt very good here in Hamburg,” says Cox happily. “I am very happy that I can compete with him here at this beautiful tournament in Hamburg.”
Third-placed Harrie Smolders (NED) also looked satisfied at his colleagues; he was also the jump-off with his European Championship partner from 2023, Uricas v.d. Kattevennen, posting a flawlessly round in 50.63 seconds. “I was really amazed that we only had three clear rounds in the jump-off,” said the two-time Olympian from the Netherlands in astonishment. “I basically rode ‘my own round’ with Uricas. He last competed in Ocala (Florida) at the end of March and was a little too fresh here, but he jumped very well and I’m super happy.”
All three first place winners will saddle their successful horses from the ‘Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG – DVAG’ prize again on Saturday in the Longines Grand Prix of Hamburg CSI 5*. “Tomorrow My Prins has a day off so he can recharge his batteries and then the Grand Prix comes,” winner Will explained his plan.
“It was some great sport that was on offer,” says Derby boss Volker Wulff enthusiastically. “I think we have very, very good conditions. The grass has almost 15 centimeters of roots in it, which is ideal and is noticeable. The floor has a certain elasticity, is not too firm and not slippery. And what’s more, we have top riders with top horses here at the start.” With 50 hours of sunshine predicted on five tournament days, Wulff is looking forward to “perfect, feel-good weather. We had so many people here in the park today. It was incredibly crowded. Plus the sport and the ambience – that’s inviting. That’s why our satisfaction scale is already very high after the first two days.”
Final Results – €80,500 Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG – DVAG Prize CSI 5* for the Championat of Hamburg
1) David Will (GER) & My Prins van Dorperheide – 0 / 0 – 49.06
2) Karel Cox (BEL) & Viva La Vida Z – 0 / 0 – 49.32
3) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Uricas vd Kattevennen – 0 / 0 – 50.63
Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
Photos: © EnGarde Markerting / Pferdefotografie Stefan LaFrentz @ https://www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de/
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Categories: English, Jumper News Deutschland
