"It was not my best jump-off. I would have liked it to be even rounder and more harmonious," the winner Katrin Eckermann judged self-critically. "All the more Cala Mandia proved her quality." The pair won the VEOLIA Championships in Braunschweig, the second qualification for the Grand Prix, with a lead of just under 1.5 seconds. Henk Frederiks from the Netherlands and Adrian Schmid, who rides for Switzerland, followed in second and third place.
Eckermann has known the ten-year-old chestnut mare Cala Mandia since she was six years old. At the World Championships for Young Show Jumpers, the Capistrano daughter was sixth, since then she has made step after step until today's four-star victory at the VEOLIA CLASSICO. "This horse has always found everything very easy, she has always enjoyed the sport and is also a lot of fun in the course. I think you could see that today." 'On top' of her victory, Katrin Eckermann also received the Löwen Cup style prize - double honour and double joy. "There is a big difference between competing at 'working shows' like Peelbergen or Opglabbeck with almost no spectators and riding in here. It's phenomenal to ride in and out here, close to the audience, it's a goosebump moment. We give everything for that, seven days a week, to be able to experience these 60 seconds in the course and this applause."
Eckermann earns vigorous nods for these words from fellow show jumper Henk Frederiks. With Impian D, also ten years old, the professional jumper jumped into second place in 42.83 seconds. "I am super proud of Impian," Frederiks explains. "He came to me as a four-year-old, he always jumps great, but today he went to four-star level for the first time - I'm really proud of him." After his clear round in the jump-off, Frederiks dropped the reins and praised his partner profusely with both hands and utmost confidence.
Adrian Schmid admitted with a smile that he had written to show boss Axel Milkau several times asking to be allowed to ride - it paid off. "I am very happy that I was allowed to come to Braunschweig. It's a super tournament and I'm absolutely happy with third place." Schmid has been sitting in the saddle of the ten-year-old Holsteiner Chicharito for just under a year, the two started at two-star level and very quickly worked their way up to the top spheres.
A total of 47 riders from 13 nations competed in the VEOLIA Championships, twelve had qualified for the jump-off, and four were clear in the jump-off. In addition to the three aforementioned, there was last year's winner of the German Jumping Derby, Cassandra Orschel. Orschel, who rides for Poland, jumped into fourth place on Dacara. The first four places for four different nations - this reflects the internationality of the VEOLIA CLASSICO in its 20th anniversary year.
"I have honestly not been interested in this kind of equestrian sport before, but this totally grabbed me," admitted impressed Jens-Uwe Freitag, the CEO of BS/Energy, who had been to the VEOLIA CLASSICO for the first time. "I had goosebumps because I really respect what was achieved there today on the course. Really great." And Freitag went on to stress that BS/Energy will definitely be back as a partner of VEOLIA CLASSICO next year. "We've been there for over 20 years, through all the times, even the difficult ones. I think that's what makes us stand out, but it's also what makes us work with the tournament and accordingly we say we'll be there in the future to continue to sponsor and promote this really great tournament."
