Over the Easter weekend, the equestrian world’s attention was largely focused on Omaha in the US, where the World Cup Finals were held in the three disciplines of dressage, vaulting and show jumping. With two top-five placings after three demanding days of competition, the result was a positive one from a Holsteiner perspective.
As in the previous year, Monaco by Cassini II-Contender (Ralf Lütje, Haseldorf), line 429, and Harrie Smolders (NED) secured silver in the final standings. The experienced pair had previously finished seventh and eleventh in the first two rounds. “I couldn’t be happier to finish second here again,” said Smolders afterwards. “It feels like a victory when you’re placed right behind Henrik (Editor’s note: von Eckermann) and King Edward. Monaco has done an incredible job – he really is Mr Consistent.”
Darc de Lux (Morten Augustin, Bogense), son of Darco Contender, line 1094, and Andreas Schou (DEN) also delivered a remarkable performance over the gruelling days. After finishing sixth and third in the first two jumping competitions – both of which featured multiple rounds – they went on to secure fifth place in the final. “Whatever happens, nobody can take that away from us now,” Andreas Schou’s team rejoiced on social media even before the final jumping competition.
Darc de Lux by Darco and Andreas Schou
A competition for young riders took place in Gorla Minore (ITA) last weekend. There, Casalor by Casall-Acodetto I (ZG Oldekop/Hulshof, Schönwalde), line 3389, and Géraldine Straumann (SUI) won the 1.45-metre Grand Prix for young riders, which also marked the start of the BEMER Young Riders Tour. Sixty-two young talents from 13 nations competed here. In the Nations Cup, Charlotte by Casall-Carry (Ralf Steffen, Albersdorf), line 1614, and Jules Orsolini (FRA) triumphed with the Young Riders team.
Charlotte Bettendorf (LUX) competed in St Tropez (FRA) on Con Vados by Connor-Quo Vados I (Klaus Thiedemann, Oesterwurth), line 2543, and won a 1.45-metre course. In two further advanced-level show jumping competitions, they also finished sixth and third respectively.
Eventing
Second and fourth places in a three-star short competition in Kristianstad, Denmark, went to Holsteiner horses: Ikke by Ibisco xx-Landos I (Paul-Josef Vielhaber, Groß Ippener), line 7369, and Marie Juul (DEN) left the cross-country course with silver. Fourth place went to Gamegirl Imperial by Chico’s Boy-Cyrkon xx (Henning Møller Hansen, Højer) and Peter T. Flarup (DEN).
Further results for Holsteiners from around the world can be found here:
Photos by Stefan Lafrentz: Monaco and Harrie Smolders (cover) and Darc de Lux and Andreas Schou
