A high-stakes competition, the Global Champions League Super Cup, took place in Prague this weekend, at which Harrie Smolders (NED) – who had only just clinched the overall victory in the Global Champions Tour – once again opted for a Holsteiner: We’re talking about Uricas v/d Kattevennen by Uriko-Cassini I (Otto Boje Schoof, Hedwigenkoog), line 1916. The Paris Panthers, with Smolders and the eleven-year-old stallion, took silver in the semi-final; in the final, they secured bronze – and prize money of one million euros. “I am truly grateful to Uricas v/d Kattevennen, who rose to this challenge so magnificently,” said Smolders. In addition, his Monaco by Cassini II-Contender (Ralf Lütje, Haseldorf), line 429, finished fifth in the Super Grand Prix over 1.65 metres.
Hans-Dieter Dreher enjoyed a highly successful weekend with his two Holstein greys at the Stuttgart German Masters: riding Cous Cous, a son of Cachas-Lasino, Hans-Dieter Dreher secured victory over 1.55 metres. Cous Cous was bred by Norbert Schmalbach (Mollhagen), line 18B1, and was one of eight horses to qualify for the winners’ round of the Longines Ranking show jumping competition. “He’s such a magnificent horse; he’s careful and fights for me,” said the proud rider after his clear-round and fastest second round. And Dreher was once again able to rely on Elysium by Zirocco Blue-Coronado I (Manfred Tummes, Mühlheim), line 4539: he jumped to an excellent fourth place in the 1.60-metre Grand Prix of the World Cup competition.
The Grand Prix of the three-star World Cup competition in Warsaw was also won by a Holsteiner: Lord Mexx by Larimar-Coriano, ridden by Angelos Touloupis (GRE), were one of only two pairs to complete the demanding course without any faults and ultimately topped the podium in the 1.50-metre competition. The stallion was bred by Hans Bock from Quickborn and represents line 1811.
You can find further successes by Holsteiners from around the world here:
Photo by Stefan Lafrentz: Cous Cous and Hans-Dieter Dreher
