It was raining cats and dogs in the Sunshine State: For the 500,000 dollar Rolex Grand Prix of all things, the highlight and conclusion of the season in Wellington, the floodgates were wide open and the competition literally fell into the water. Richard Vogel didn't mind the weather. The 26-year-old had to be the second starter in the demanding Grand Prix course with the nine-year-old Cepano Baloubet. The pair completed the round almost effortlessly and they were the first to go without a fault. What a great performance for the Chaman son, who is only nine years old, and of course for his rider. "That was a showpiece round by Richard Vogel with a relatively green, inexperienced horse," praised Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, who analysed the rides alongside commentator Steven Wilde. "He is so ambitious and can ride so abnormally fast." But what made Richi look so easy, of course, wasn't in the end. Only seven pairs solved their ticket for the jump-off.
The European Champions were not among them. André Thieme and his European Championship mare DSP Chakaria (by Chap) did not have luck on their side this evening. On the final line through a triple combination, the last bar on the third last obstacle went down. That was a pity. Nevertheless, the time was enough for eighth place in the final result.
Daniel Deusser and his Rolex Grand Prix Expert Killer Queen VDM (by Eldorado vd Zeshoek) had a similar fate. A net roll on a double double oxer combination shattered the dreams of a jump-off and another victory.
And then came the big favourites of the evening: McLain Ward and his 17-year-old exceptional mare HH Azur. Only in December, the pair sensationally won the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva. In March, they went one better with their victory in the Rolex Grand Prix in s'Hertogenbosch. And they also remained clear in the round of the GP in Wellington.
In the subsequent jump-off, Richard Vogel had the worst possible chances as the first starter. Or did he? Richard Vogel and Cepano Baloubet proved what a great team they are with another fast and clear round. Faultless at the finish after only 40.53 seconds. "Wow, that was brilliant riding," was the appreciative comment from Meredith Michaels Beerbaum.
But now it was a case of wait and see for Richi. He remained in the lead until the last starter. Second place went to the Colombian rider Roberto Teran Tafur with Dez' Ooktoff (by Corlando). The pair was clear but galloped to the finish over 8 seconds later than Richi. Bertram Allen and his Pacino Amiro (by Pacino) held third place after a drop in the jump-off.
And only McLain Ward could have denied Vogel his first Rolex Grand Prix victory. Could have... In the jump-off things did not go as well as usual for McLain Ward and HH Azur (by Thunder vd Zuuthoeve). After three faults, Ward slipped to sixth place. And Richard Vogel could finally breathe a sigh of relief. "I am totally overwhelmed. A fortnight ago I didn't really want to ride this young horse in this Grand Prix. But he felt so good and I thought I would just give it a try. He did incredibly well," Vogel said happily after his triumph.
