The Longines Grand Prix over 1.60 metres in St. Gallen (SUI) was won by a pair that has been causing a sensation on the international show jumping circuit for some time now. Uricas v/d Kattevennen by Uriko-Cassini I (Otto Boje Schoof, Hedwigenkoog), line 1916, and Harrie Smolders (NED). Only four pairs completed the demanding course clear of faults, with the best eleven qualifying for the second round. Uricas and Smolders managed to do so yet again, and with the fastest time. The stallion had only made his five-star debut last week in the Nations Cup in Rome.“He’s gained a lot of experience over the past year,” Smolders told the Dutch Equestrian Federation. “For me, that meant staying calm and waiting until he was ready. And that was certainly the case now.”
Long John Silver by Lasino-Corrado I (Peter Burmeister, Wangels), line 2896, and Jur Vrieling (NED) also finished fifth.
In the Athens Grand Prix, Holstein horses took all the podium places: Calder by Casall-Coriano (Jürgen Böge, Bunsoh), line 844, and Anastasia Bondarieva (UKR) jumped to victory in the 1.45-metre show jumping class. The Larimar-Coriano son Lord Mexx (Hans Bock, Quickborn), line 1811, and Angelos Touloupis (GRE) came second. Third place went to Electra by Casall-Latus II (Günther Betge, Detmold), line 890, and Friederico Cierisi (ITA).
In Zduchovice, Poland, the winners were Fassida VA-H by Diamant de Semilly-Capitol I (Manfred von Allwörden, Grönwohld), line 3389, and Emelie Pieper (GER) who led the lap of honour in the 1.45-metre show jumping competition. Cachas by Cachas-Contender (Bernd Möller, Kattendorf-Weeden), line 1907, and Premysl Adam (CZE) took fifth place.
In the Grand Prix at Mill Spring/Tryon (USA), a Holsteiner bred by Otto Boje Schoof took the bronze: Cardora by Caretino-Clearway, line 5421, was introduced to challenging competitions in Germany by Alessa Hennings and is now enjoying international success with Tomas Yofre (ARG).
Dressage
Devanto, a son of De Chirico-Lorentin I bred by Holger Wesselmann, line 49, and his Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén won the runners-up title at the dressage championships. “He worked fantastically well with me this weekend,” beamed the rider. “This is actually the first time we’ve been able to produce flawless rounds.”
At the CDI4* in St. Margarethen (AUT), Te Quiero SF by Totilas-Loutano (Hans Reisinger, Wolnzach), line 5302, and Christian Schumach (AUT) celebrated victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Among other achievements, the pair have previously represented Austria at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (JPN).
In the Grand Prix Special, Coco Chanel H.S. by Lorentin I-Lucky Lionell (Heinrich Sommer, Kirchdorf/Inn), line 241, and Alexandra Eiband (GER) took fourth place.
You can find further successes by Holsteiners from around the world here:
Photo: Stefan Lafrentz
