Holsteiner horses delivered outstanding results this weekend at the CSI4* in Pinneberg, which this week was Europe’s highest-prized competition. No wonder, then, that the cream of the crop from the equestrian world were competing at the event.
In the 1.60-metre Grand Prix at the CSI4* in Pinneberg – which also served as a qualifier for the 2023 European Championships – the association-owned stallion Zuccero by Zirocco Blue-Caretino (Hanno Köhncke, Badendorf), line 4539, and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson were in absolutely top form: clear in the first round, clear and lightning-fast in the jump-off – finishing fourth in the high-calibre field of the competition, which had a prize fund of 100,000 euros. As the best Holsteiner in the class, the grey also received a special prize of 1,000 euros.
In a 1.45-metre class, a Holsteiner mare took top honours at the prize-giving ceremony: Caja by Clarimo-Coriano (Reinhold Distel, Wächtersbach) and Jens Baackmann claimed victory. “I’ve been riding Caja for four weeks; she’s been mine for a week. That was our first jump-off and I’m really pleased that it went so well straight away. We took quite a risk and had a bit of luck too,” laughed Baackmann.
They dominated the second qualifier for the Grand Prix over 1.50 metres: Casallco, a son of Casall out of a Contender dam (line 8798, Frans Vrenken, NED), and Philip Rüping simply flew through the jump-off course. “Casallco always gives me, as a rider, a great feeling and the confidence, when we’re riding into the course, that we can take a few risks,” said the 36-year-old, proud of the eleven-year-old bay stallion, adding: “He’s been jumping absolutely superbly – not just today, but throughout the whole of the spring season.” The pair narrowly missed out on a podium place at the German Championships, having finished fourth in Balve just a few weeks ago. Second place also went to a Holstein combination: Hannes Ahlmann from Reher and his stallion Nerrado by Nekton-Acorado I (Uwe Krohn, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog), line 104A. Last year, the pair triumphed in the Holstein Grand Prix; this time they finished second. Quincassi by Quintero-Cassini I (Gempf Gorch-Hermann, Stelle), line 162, and the Swiss rider Niklaus Schurtenberger came fourth.
Sven Gero Hünicke enjoyed a golden weekend in Pinneberg: Riding Cedric (by Clarimo-Concerto II, owned by Jens Ritters, Krumstedt), line 730B, the rider from Fehmarn dominated the U25 tour over 1.40 and 1.45 metres. “I’ve been riding Cedric for a year and a half. Before that, his owner, Hinnerk Köhlbrandt, rode him himself,” summarised the winner, adding: “He’s a calm and well-balanced horse. On the course, he knows exactly what he has to do.” In Sunday’s final, Mitch by Mylord Carthago-Landos (Max Hermann-Johannsen, Hörup), line 4510, and Teike Carstensen also took the bronze.
Further results for Holsteiners from around the world can be found here:
Photo ACP Andreas Pantel: Casallco and Philip Rüping
