Only two came through. That hasn't happened for a long time either: Everything started normally at the seventh World Cup leg in La Coruna: The second rider, Harry Charles in the saddle of Casquo Blue (by Chacco-Blue), jumped clear in the round and entered the jump-off. But what looked so feasible for the British rider turned out to be a huge challenge in the end. Hardly anyone made it through the difficult course unscathed, and those who did, such as Max Kühner with Up too Jacco Blue (by Chacco-Blue), received a time penalty point at the end.
Even the World Champion Henrik von Eckermann and Illiana (by Cardento) had four penalty points in the end, the same happened to the current leader in the World Cup ranking Kevin Staut with the Holsteiner mare Chepetta (by Chepetto). The judges also awarded four penalties to the Grand Prix winner of the previous day, Philipp Weishaupt, this time with Che Fantastica. Things did not go according to plan at all for the runners-up of the last World Cup leg in Madrid, Daniel Deusser and Bingo Ste Hermelle (by Number One d'Iso). The very first pole went down and when another one fell during the course, Deusser gave up. The rhythm was missing on this day.
And so it went on...
Until there was a ray of hope, i.e. a clear round: Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van't Ruytershof (by Plot Blue) started the course with great concentration, left all the poles up and crossed the finish line just in time. A masterly performance that was not to be repeated on this day. "The time in the round was a real challenge," Janne Meyer confirmed after her ride. Fortunately, she had no problem with the time in the jump-off and everything went according to plan. After Harry Charles had to go first and galloped into the finish after 36.87 seconds, it was clear that she could go faster.
"Of course I had to take some risks. And that's what I did towards the end," laughed the happy winner. After only 36.52 the journey was over and Janne was richer by 20 World Cup points and 99,000 Euros. Third behind Harry Charles was then Max Kühner with the one time penalty point ahead of Harrie Smolders and the Holsteiner Uricas vd Kattevennen (by Urig), the pair had collected two time penalty points in the round. The World Champion von Eckermann was fifth ahead of the French rider Kevin Staut.
Philipp Weishaupt should also be satisfied with ninth place in the World Cup Qualifier and the very successful tournament weekend for him in La Coruna.
Kevin Staut leads the World Cup ranking with 53 points ahead of Henrik von Eckermann with 46 points. Harry Charles now holds third place ahead of Julien Epaillard and Janne Meyer. Daniel Deusser is currently in eighth place. The next World Cup stage is in London the week after next.
