Prize money totalling 100,000 euros, points for the world ranking list of show jumping riders and the title of “GLOCK’s 3* Grand Prix Winner” were at stake today in the grand finale of International Show Jumping at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria. For a full four days, people could follow the finest standard of show jumping performance in the beautiful indoor arena of GHPC Austria, reaching its pinnacle today in the GLOCK’s 3* Grand Prix over 1.55 m. The spectator seating was packed to the very last place, indeed around a hundred enthusiastic fans collected before the hall to catch a glimpse of their idols.
Fans cheered a full 38 times as the basic round of this demanding event took its course. As soon as they rode into view, each participant was greeted with inspiring applause by those eagerly watching, clear rounds earned hearty cheers, whilst penalties were rendered that little more bearable by the no less enthusiastic applause by way of adieu. When it came to the jump off to decide the winner, twelve duos had earned their places – and the tension couldn’t have been greater, right through to the end. Ultimately, the chance to really celebrate like crazy fell to a 26-year-old rider from Germany.
Maximilian Schmid won the Grand Prix of CSI4* Munich in November 2016 and seemed still to be on a roll from that triumph. In the saddle on his eleven-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chacon, in the jump off he went for full risk, stayed clear of penalties and completed in a scarcely believable 41.09 seconds. “I knew very fast riders had started ahead or were to follow me. But I was even more aware that, with Chacon, I could be much faster than my competitors. I’ve had him since he was six years old and we’re well used to one another. If we get to a jump off and stay clear, we’re actually always far ahead”, said the GLOCK’s 3* Grand Prix 2017 winner with considerable pride. “Our sport is so special, because we work with creatures that have changes of mood from day to day, just like us. You need to establish a relationship, work together. Winning here is particularly fine. On the one hand, because really fast riders were lining up to start and, on the other, because I just simply love this tournament!”
Riders coming in behind Max came close to taking victory from him. Gudrun Patteet (BEL) and her BWP mare Sea Coast Ferly completed an absolute dream round and were just a fraction slower at 41.30 seconds. The third placed rider was also close behind the winning time: Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and his just nine -year-old IQ van het Steentje, daughter of Toulon, laid down a practically perfect round in 41.50 seconds.
Two Austrian duos also succeeded in qualifying for the jump-off, but each took a knockdown. Thus it was ultimately eighth place for Gerfried Puck (St) with Bionda 3 and ninth place for Julia Houtzager-Kayser (T) with Sterrehof’s Cayetano Z. GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED) and GLOCK’s Lausejunge were also there at the deciding round and took tenth place.
15 CSI3* GLOCK’s 3* GRAND PRIX
Int. standard test with jump off over 1.55 m
This test counts towards LONGINES Ranking
1. Chacon – Schmid,Maximilian (GER) 0/41.09 sec j.o.
2. Sea Coast Ferly – Patteet,Gudrun (BEL) 0/41.30 sec j.o.
3. IQ van het Steentje – Vermeir,Wilm (BEL) 0/41.50 sec j.o.
4. Antonio – Govoni,Gianni (ITA) 0/42.27 sec j.o.
5. Sterrehof’s Calimero – Houtzager,Marc (NED) 0/43.90 sec j.o.
6. Abc Trixi – Lill,Maximilian (GER) 0/44.87 sec j.o.
7. Cassini Bay – Ekberg,Jonna (SWE) 0/49.30 sec j.o.
8. Bionda 3 – Puck,Gerfried (AUT) 4/45.63 sec j.o.
9. Sterrehof’s Cayetano Z – Houtzager-Kayser,Julia (AUT) 4/47.64 sec j.o.
10. GLOCK’s Lausejunge – Schröder,Gerco (NED) 5/59.21 sec j.o.
11. Connelly 2 – Bruggink,Gert Jan (NED) 12/54.89 sec j.o.
12. Casanova de L’ Herse – Mathy,Francois Jr (BEL) Aufgegeben/j.o.
Link to results
Start and result lists »
Livestream »
www.ghpc.at
This article was prepared by EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net commissioned by GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria.
