Greek winner in the Damme Grand Prix – packed out stands

Press release RSZ Damme – Around 1000 spectators crowded into the stands and along the short edge of the riding hall in Damme to witness a Greek amazon triumph in the Damme Grand Prix, the Finestro Restaurant Prize, for the very first time. Georgia Founta and her fellow competitors provided the perfect drama: Jana Wargers from Emsdetten took the lead before being overtaken by Katrin Eckermann by a hundredth of a second, and Georgia Founta, who in the end was even faster than Eckermann, was last to compete in the jump-off.

Dutch support
The 23 year old was a little perplexed but very proud of her 12-year-old gelding It’s a Fact. “This is my first time in Damme and I’ve really enjoyed it”, said the Greek rider, “but it would be a bit strange if a winner didn’t enjoy it.” For most of the year Georgia lives at home in Greece but she always comes to Germany for several weeks in the spring and summer. In Rheinberg she can always count on the support of Wiljan Laarakers. The Dutch show-jumper helps her with training, but particularly at tournaments. Laarakers actually won the very first test of the CSI Damme on Thursday, while his protege went on to triumph in the final test at the Equestrian Centre.

Girl power on the course
Behind the young amazon, who has been riding since she was 9, came five more women: Katrin Eckermann from Germany with Elmo in second place, then Jana Wargers (GER) with Carl, followed by Danish rider Jessica Toelstrang, Kathrin Müller (GER) and Mynou Diederichsmeier from Germany. The best male show-jumper came in seventh place – 2015 German Master Denis Nielsen.

Young and good
Victory in the Youngster Final went to german rider Christian Hess with Graf Rhapsody, a seven-year-old Hanoverian horse. 42 young horses took part in the final with their riders – the Youngster Tour is certainly in demand. And the winner of the international Pony Tour was also very young. Pia Alfert from Ahaus-Ameln and her pony Mister X pretty much left the rest of the competitors in the final, who were representing three different countries, in their dust…

A look ahead to the next international challenge
For the big international tournament, the Damme CSI2* from 22nd to 25th September, Peter Schmerling hopes to apply many of the elements from this weekend. “I think we should integrate ponies and riders under 25 again, then again at the one-star level, while everything else will be tendered as CSI2*. We have to put together a few finishing touches, but otherwise the tender has been well received.”

Results of the day
9 Damme Grand Prix – international – 1,40m  
1. Georgia Founta (GRE), Its A Fact *0.00 / 37.36
2. Katrin Eckermann (GER), Elmo *0.00 / 38.02
3. Jana Wargers (GER), Carl 60 *0.00 / 38.12
4. Jessica Toelstang (DEN), Bjerglunds Campari *4.00 / 38.01
5. Kathrin Müller (GER), Cornetta 24 *4.00 / 38.89
6. Julie Mynou Diederichsmeier (GER), Stalido *8.00 / 35.94

13 JumpingTwo-phases – international – 1,30m Youngster Tour C
1. Mario Stevens (GER) , Lupicoeur 2 *0.00 / 24.74
2. Katrin Eckermann (GER), Fortuna 450 *0.00 / 24.89
3. Denis Nielsen (GER), Bankimoon *0.00 / 25.64
4. Mario Stevens (GER), Lady Pilox *0.00 / 26.51
5. Justine Tebbel (GER), Special 10 *0.00 / 27.19
6. Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking (GER), Calida Lauda *0.00 / 27.39
6. Florian Meyer zu Hartum (GER),  Chacoon Blue *0.00 / 27.39

3 Jumping-Two-phases – international – 1,15m Small Tour CSI1
1. Christina Jürgens (GER), Cordano der Nürnberger *0.00 / 24.25
2. Sina Hungenberg (GER), Chilly Blue *0.00 / 25.70
3. Marie Klostermann (GER), Conneticat P *0.00 / 26.43
4. Mathis Schwentker (GER), Chris Gordina *0.00 / 26.79
5. Raffaele Valente (ITA), Badenia 2 *0.00 / 27.01
6. Elisa Held (GER),  Cash Royal 2 *0.00 / 27.26

Source: Press release RSZ Damme