Philipp Weishaupt wins the Grand Prix of Hesse presented by Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG with Zineday. He entered the jump-off in fourth place of the twelve participants and set an uncatchable 40.54 seconds. Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking followed in second place in 40.84 seconds and Philipp Schulze Topphoff was third with 42.16 seconds.
Weishaupt and Zineday's victory was something of a family affair. Not only has he known the eight-year-old Westphalian since birth, he also knows the parents of the exceptional athlete. Zineday was born in Riesenbeck in the stable of Weishaupt's employer Ludger Beerbaum. Ludger Beerbaum collected successes in international Grand Prix with sire Zinedine just as he did with dam L.B. Paola. "Zineday is a very special horse," emphasises Weishaupt. "He has gone eight Grand Prix this year, from two to five stars, and he was always zero! I don't even know if there has been anything like this before." The championship rider's American sponsor, Alice Lawaetz, secured the horse for him 15 months ago. A pair whose future one can be curious about.
"I was already scolding Philipp for not being able to control himself," laughs Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking. "But it was in my own hands. I was after Philipp in the jump-off and knew how fast he was. I was also fast, but not fast enough." On the nine-year-old IB Ventago, he had already convinced in the second qualifier for the Grand Prix with fourth place, and in the Grand Prix itself he stepped it up a notch and took second place. In addition, he won twice with Coldplay - Frankfurt was definitely a good weekend for the father of three. He was sure to be honoured as the most successful rider of the tournament.
"The weekend has not gone so well for me so far. I saved my energy for today," Philipp Schulze Topphoff smiled in contrast. The international career of ten-year-old Clemens de la Lande, known as 'Clemens', started right here in Frankfurt three years ago. "Clemens was the most successful horse in the Youngster Tour here in 2019, which was his first ever international start back then," the 24-year-old recounted. Three years later, the pair finished third in the Grand Prix - the Festhalle seems to be a 'feel-good' place for the two.
In addition to his prize money - the Grand Prix was endowed with a total of 70,000 euros - Philipp Weishaupt also received a special prize of honour: a trip to Namibia, given by Avalon Premium Cars Kronberg GmbH. "I've been to Kenya before as an 18-year-old, but I've never done a safari. I'm really looking forward to this."
Best Amazon of the Grand Prix and at the same time the most successful show jumper of the Frankfurt tournament was Pia Reich on the twelve-year-old Chacco Blue daughter PB Chaconie. There is also a bit of Hesse in this success: The 29-year-old is a rider in Switzerland, but likes to come to Dagobertshausen in Hesse every week for training.
The Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein, did not miss the opportunity to come to the Festhalle in person on Sunday and watch the decision in the Grand Prix. "The International Festhalle Riding Tournament is a must-attend event in the equestrian scene. It is all the more pleasing that it could take place again after a two-year break due to the pandemic," said the Minister President and added: "Hesse is extremely pleased to host this important equestrian tournament. The riders from our state have won many international competitions. They are a figurehead for the sporting state of Hessen. We will continue to work to ensure that they find ideal conditions here to be able to practise their sport in the best possible way. It was a great honour for me to be able to award this year's winner of the 'Grand Prix of Hesse'."
Tournament Director Matthias Alexander Rath was left with the closing words: "We enjoyed it so much to finally be back in the Festhalle. Next year we will meet here again - with five stars in dressage and then four stars in show jumping. These four show days were an all-round great experience!"
