The relatively small arena in Oslo seems to suit him: After his triumph in 2019, Bryan Balsiger also won the first World Cup leg in Norway this year and collected the first valuable 20 points. Riding the mare Dubai du Bois Pinchet (by Kashmir van Schuttershof), the Swiss rider prevented the home victory of the acclaimed Victoria Gulliksen and her Equine America Papa Roach (by Perigueux) after a jump-off in 41.38 seconds. The Norwegian rider galloped to the finish line in 43.26 seconds to thunderous applause and was delighted with second place and her biggest success in a World Cup leg so far. Third place went to the rider of the Beerbaum Stables, the Irish rider Eoin McMahon and the Holstein mare Chakra (by Casall).
After all, eleven pairs had completed the technically very demanding course over 1.60m without any faults. Often the last pole fell or, as was the case with the world number one Hernik von Eckermann and Hollywood V, a slightly raised plank. Daniel Deusser with his Killer Queen VDM (by Eldorado vd Zeshoek) and Philipp Weishaupt with the Westphalian Zineday (by Zinedine), who is only eight years old and jumps superbly, also qualified for the jump-off.
In the jump-off, however, both fell a pole. Nevertheless, Deusser and Weishaupt should be very satisfied with the good performance of their horses at the start of the indoor and World Cup season and their sixth and seventh places.
Gerrit Nieberg was unlucky with his Ben (by Sylvain). A net roller at a white oxer prevented him from taking part in the jump-off.
