Last weekend, the Global Champions Tour stopped off in Vienna. Against the backdrop of the historic Schönbrunn Palace, top-class sport was on display, with Holsteiner horses once again playing a key role. In the 1.60-metre Grand Prix, Monaco by Cassini II-Contender (Ralf Lütje, Haseldorf), line 429, and Harrie Smolders continued their winning streak and secured second place.
On Saturday evening, victory in the most important show jumping competition in Austria’s capital also went to a horse from the Land between the Seas: Conner Jei by Connor-Cosimo (Gerhard Stamer, Duvensee), line 8778, and Martin Fuchs (SUI) triumphed here. “It was a really great jump-off for us today with some long stretches to gallop – he has a tremendous gallop. I saw Eduardo Pereira De Menezes ahead of me, and he was really very fast, but I wanted to win. Connor Jei has won all over the world and can now win here in Vienna in front of the palace. He really deserves this victory!” said a delighted Martin Fuchs afterwards.
Lanaken
The world’s best young show jumpers gathered at the same time at Zangersheide Stud for the 30th anniversary of their World Championships, the Sires of the World show jumping competition – a competition for licensed stallions – and the Belgian Championships. Here, too, several Holsteiners performed well. Leading the way were United Way by Uriko-Concerto II (Holsteiner Verband Hengsthaltungs GmbH, Elmshorn), Line 1916, and Lucas Wenz. In the Sires of the World Grand Prix over 1.50 metres, they completed a clear round and secured an excellent fourth place.
Photo: Stefan Lafrentz (Monaco and Harrie Smolders)
