First Casino Grand Prix goes to Dieter Koefler, Puck successful at Horses Riviera Resort

Last weekend (April 14-16 2017) Alpenspan team rider Dieter Koefler participated in the Casino Grand Prix in Linz-Ebelsberg (Upper Austria), whilst his team colleague Gerfried Puck competed in San Giovanni in Marignano (Italy).

Dieter Köfler was in top form in Linz - pictured aboard Stakkata, with whom he won the competition over 1,40 m. © Private — Dieter Köfler was in top form in Linz – pictured aboard Stakkata, with whom he won the competition over 1,40 m. © Private

Already in the Casino Grand Prix qualification over 1,45 m the Carinthian Dieter Koefler and his fourteen-year-old gelding Askaban 15 showed a strong performance. After a fault-free round they took second place. In the Final the pair was able to move up one notch and left the arena as the Casino Grand Prix winners.

Proud! Dieter Koefler with son Marius and groom Irene! © Private

Koefler, who is the current title holder of the Casino Grand Prix, proved his strong form in further tests. With Askaban he placed second in the 2-phase jumping test over 1,40 m. Aboard the nine-year-old Hanoverian mare Satakkata he won the test over 1,40. Koefler came second with the young Holsteiner gelding Classico in the competitions over 1,20/1,25 and 1,25/1,30 m.

Young Classico K came third in jump-off in the class of 6-year-old horses © Private

Gerfried Puck and his elven-year-old mare Bo were able to prove their strength amongst the strong international starter field of the CSI4* in San Giovanni. In the 1,45 m competition which counts toward the Longinges Rankings he was only defeated by German Hans-Dieter Dreher. With Bionda 3 Gerfried came third in the CSI4* over 1,50 m, in the Six Bars he ended on fourth place with his mount Eclips 2.