Will wins with "a real fighter"
"I tried again and again, but it was never enough." But today! David Will from Dagobertshausen won the LONGINES Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of the state capital of Wiesbaden. His partner: ten-year-old Concordia, with whom Will won in Mannheim and Hagen this year and who is a daughter of his former successful horse Colorit. “She is a very special horse in our stable because she is almost always placed in the front when she starts.
Very reliable and still a real fighter – you could see that in the jump-off today.” She made everything possible! "I've tried to take risks. I was the first starter in the jump-off. It doesn't help to tactic. You have to show up and put the others under pressure.” That worked today. "We gave it our all!" Concordia, the winner, enjoyed the award ceremony on the Schlossplatz in a very relaxed and contented manner.
Only four of the 36 couples made it into the jump-off, the course designed by course designer Peter Schumacher was very demanding: 13 obstacles with 16 jumps between 1.50 and 1.60 meters on the large, traditional course in Wiesbaden.
Second place went to the youngest in the field, 18-year-old Max Wachman from Ireland. Wachman belongs to the Magnier family, who bought Will's European Championship horse C Vier. C Four was also at the start with Wachman trainer Cian O'Connor, but could not qualify for the jump-off with a knockdown in the round. The horse scene is small and met in Wiesbaden this weekend. Wachman himself sat in the saddle of eleven-year-old Berlux Z. Berlux already has Olympic experience, he was part of the French team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with Simon Delestre last year. "I'm absolutely satisfied with second place," said the youngster happily. "David is a very fast rider, standing right behind him is an honour." He received a plan from his trainer Cian and strictly adhered to this plan: safe, fast, but not looking to win.
Belgian Gilles Dunon beamed and beamed. “I am so happy with third place. My horse Fou de Toi vd Keihoeve is already a grandfather, he is 17, but he is like a red wine and is getting better and better. I enjoy every round with him.” It was Dunon's first start at the PfingstTurnier. "I enjoyed this tournament from the first moment, this atmosphere and so many people here - we don't know that in Belgium."
Michael Krieger, who is responsible for the show jumping process and who has been involved in the Whitsun tournament for many years, was unusually emotional. “It was highly emotional today. I was incredibly happy for Gilles, great, great. I was happy for Max too, this young guy - he rocked it! And David was here with Don Cesar for the first time ten years ago and now he has found such a beautiful climax here.” A short pause, then Krieger added: “That’s what makes Wiesbaden special: We’re colourful, we’re diverse and – that I just have to say it now – sometimes emotionally.”
Gert-Uwe Mende, Mayor of Wiesbaden
"For me, the Whitsun tournament was a premiere and that was one of the most important things that we could finally have this great tournament here in Wiesbaden again. I found it super exciting. The atmosphere is really enchanting, both before at the dressage right in front of the castle and at the show jumping. I think that's really an outstanding advertisement for Wiesbaden. This would not be possible without the 700 volunteer helpers. The tournament is always a gem for the whole city, which is only possible with the help of these many people. The backbone is the voluntary work, Mrs. Dyckerhoff and her whole team.”
57,000 spectators attended the LONGINES Whitsun tournament in Wiesbaden. A number that the organizers would not have dared to hope for. "And we're already looking forward to next year!" emphasized Kristina Dyckerhoff, President of the Riding and Driving Club in Wiesbaden, with full conviction.
Italian points collector
Five riders got full points in the Dyckerhoff Family Prize, an international 1.50 meter jumping competition with two wildcards, but Germany-based Italian Emanuele Gaudiano was much quicker than his peers in scoring points. In the saddle of eight-year-old Julius, he needed 57.66 seconds to reach the maximum score of 65 points. Second-placed Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking was seven and a half seconds slower with Zinano. Australia's Gabrielle Chugg was third with Levilensky. 32 starters took part in this joker competition, which also attracted points for the world rankings.
For Gaudiano and his Dutch Julius, this victory was the second of the year in the palace gardens. On Sunday, the couple had already won the Pütz-Folien company prize, an international 1.40 meter jumping event.
(KiK/pe&pa)
