Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
It was a fairytale ending to a stunning
weekend of top sport in Germany, as four-time Olympic Gold
medallist Ludger Beerbaum (GER) took a sensational win with
his new horse Casello 2 in front of a sell-out crowd at the
Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Hamburg. Fresh
from the podium, a delighted Ludger said: "It was a little
bit like Leicester winning the Premier League!
"It is very very special to win [in Germany], and if I could
have a wish from the 15 legs, it would be to win here.
Everyone has experienced today the atmosphere - it’s really
something very special, and believe me, I’m more than happy
and really enjoying this moment.”
It was standing room only for the big €300,000 Grand Prix
class with a worldwide TV and online audience watching
Ludger beat off heavyweight competition from a stellar
international field. With the sport enjoying a boom globally
Ludger commented: "If I see the sport from [when I started]
to today, it’s unbelievable for myself to have the
opportunity to experience this development in the last ten
years. I really also have to say thanks to the Global
Champions Tour which was a milestone in the development of
our sport. I wish I was 10 years younger!"
Christian Alhmann (GER) now leads the LGCT Rankings on 161
points overall, with 2nd place man Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA)
on 96 points. World Number 1 Simon Delestre (FRA) has jumped
up to 3rd with 95 points overall.
It was full house at the great Derby arena as tens of
thousands of fans watched as the first round unfolded, with
the passionate crowd cheering and gasping as world class
action got underway with a 50 strong field. The young
Belgian star Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) led the way with an
impressive performance in the early stage of the 1.60m Grand
Prix. Riding his beautiful grey Zilverstar T, Nicola
delivered a quick and careful round across the expansive
grass arena, while fans packed the grandstands and grassy
banks in the picturesque setting. Georgina Bloomberg (USA)
and Lilli delivered a polished round to progress to round
two, and Brazil’s Marlon Módolo Zanotelli with the mighty
Cash del Mar Z also jumped beautifully to secure their spot
in the next round of the Grand Prix.
The last couple of fences caused a lot of damage, with the
double of verticals posing a challenge to the top riders
such as Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Leonard de la Ferme CH, who
missed out on the second round after rolling the poles.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Casall ASK had an unlucky
foot on the tape of the water jump despite stunning form
throughout the course. Other big names to drop out of the
running were Kevin Staut (FRA) with For Joy van't Zorgvliet
HDC, Marco Kutscher (GER) with Balermo, and home favourite
Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER) with Goja.
Christian Alhmann (GER) delivered an immaculate round with
stallion Codex One, much to the delight of the crowd who
cheered passionately for the home rider. He was joined by
compatriots Ludger Beerbaum (GER) who delivered a masterful
round with the chestnut, Casello 2, Marcus Ehning (GER) with
Pret a Tout, Daniel Deusser (GER) with First Class van
Eeckelghem and young star Andreas Kreuzer (GER) with
Calvilot who showed serious talent in the expansive grass
arena. Also through were World Number 1 Simon Delestre with
the Grand Prix winning horse Qlassic Bois Margot, Bertram
Allen (IRL) with Molly Malone V, Lauren Hough (USA) with
Cornet 39, Daniel Bluman (COL) with Sancha LS, Harrie
Smolders (NED) with Don VHP Z, and Laura Kraut (USA) with
Zeremonie.
The second course was carefully planned, pushing the riders
to think about striding and their plan of attack. First to
go clear was Denis Lynch (IRL) with All Star 5, however
their earlier time fault meant they would not progress to
the jump-off. Young German star Andreas Kreuzer (GER) rode a
stunning double clear with the eye-catching Calvilot,
however was just pipped to the post by the time allowed, and
the crowds groaned as he was handed one time fault, putting
him out off the final round. Harrie Smolders (NED) was the
first to jump double clear, consistent as always and
showcasing a masterful round. The crowds erupted in
patriotic cheers as he was joined by Ludger Beerbaum (GER),
Daniel Deusser (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Marcus
Ehning (GER) all earning their places in what promised to be
a mouth-watering jump-off to delight local fans.
Eight went through to the jump-off, with the crowd on the
edge of their seats as the first rider Harrie Smolders (NED)
with Don VHP Z entered the ring. The course was designed to
encourage a flat out gallop, with intimidating full height
oxers, and utilising the full length of the arena. Setting
off at a gallop, Harrie crossed the line with 35.25s,
throwing down the gauntlet to the rest of the field. Next
was the Columbian Daniel Bluman with Sancha LS who was
unable to beat his time but came close with a 35.29s. Daniel
Deusser (GER) had an unusual two down, and a slip for World
Number 1 Simon Delestre’s (FRA) Qlassic Bois Margot cost
them a fence putting them in 6th overall.
Marcus Ehning (GER) with Pret a Tout were incredibly fast
with a time of 34.72s, but a tight turn to a vertical with
the chestnut horse unfolding a touch too early cost them a
fence, but earning them 4th place overall. Ranking leader
Christian had one down with Codex One, putting them in 5th,
but it was compatriot Ludger Beerbaum who stole the show,
turning tightly and galloping across the course to meet the
line in an impressive 34.81s.
The Tour now looks to leg six and Madrid, for the next round
of action on the incredible 2016 Longines Global Champions
Tour season.
Jan Tops, Founder and President of the Longines Global
Champions Tour: “If you want to be in Germany - which is
a great horse nation - then where better to be than Hamburg.
It’s a traditional place, with a beautiful grass arena. The
people here know the sport, which is very nice, and you can
see people really rooting for their favourites. It’s great
to see [Ludger] with his new mount - a horse that he’s only
had since the beginning of the year, so to come back and win
this important class will give them a great boost for the
coming months and a lot of confidence - it’s nice to see.
The one who is on incredible form is Christian [Ahlmann],
he’s not missed one leg [where he has finished placed] out
of the top seven. He’s by far leading, he has his mind set
for the whole Tour and there’s a big chance he can achieve
it."
Volker Wulff, Show Organiser Jumping Hamburg: “Today
was another really great day today. We had 13 hours of
sunshine, and it was the first time we were sold out on
Saturday. It was amazing sport and a lot of people who have
been here today will definitely come back next year; they’ll
tell some neighbours so it might be too small here for the
next year!”
Ludger Beerbaum, LGCT Grand Prix of Hamburg Gold
Medallist: “I could not be more pleased. It’s really
nice to achieve this today with this horse - it’s not
expected. If you saw my jump-off two days ago I was swimming
around the track. So it was a little bit like Leicester
winning the Premier League in England! You would have had a
good call betting for me today! It’s amazing that it can
happen. Overall, the first round was ok, the horse jumped
good - the fact that the time was short made a difference,
and I think it was the most harmonious round. The second
round; the time was short but I felt for the first time
really confident from start to finish. In the jump-off there
was no special plan - my colleagues here know their horses
much better and I still have to find out which is his
favourite turns and strides. But I just went for it and
thanks to the quality of the horse, it was possible to win
today.
“It is very very special to win [in Germany], and if I could
have a wish from the 15 legs, it would be to win here.
Everyone has experienced today the atmosphere - it’s really
something very special, and believe me, I’m more than happy
and really enjoying this moment. I see the sport developing
- if I see the sport from [when I started] to today, it’s
unbelievable for myself to have the opportunity to
experience this development in the last ten years. I really
also have to say thanks to the Global Champions Tour which
was a milestone in the development of our sport. It put
healthy competition to a lot of other shows also, and I wish
I would be ten years younger!"
Harrie Smolders, LGCT Grand Prix of Hamburg Silver
Medallist: “With eight in the jump-off I think we had a
very strong field today of horses and riders. I’ve not the
fastest horse but I tried to put as much pressure on as I
could. After my round I was satisfied anyway, as my horse
jumped good - he was light, and after his break this is the
first time I have really felt his power and lightness back.
I think the favourites in the jump-off were Christian
[Ahlmann], Simon [Delestre] and Marcus [Ehning]. But as you
can see, that’s the beauty of our sport, that sometimes the
leaderboard changes!"
Daniel Bluman, LGCT Grand Prix of Hamburg Bronze
Medallist: “It’s been for many years that I’ve watched
the Tour from home on the computer, watching the greatest
riders compete. It’s the first year that I get to do it,
thanks to the Global Champions League, that allowed me to be
part of the Monaco Aces. I’m delighted to be jumping three
very good rounds with my Olympic hopeful for this year and
sitting beside Ludger, who I’ve been looking up to since I
was a little kid, and next to Harrie who is having an
amazing time and has come from a second place finish in the
World Cup Finals - I’m very happy; it’s a great day for
sure.”
Christian Ahlmann, LGCT Ranking Leader: “On paper it
looks good - it’s only a shame we’re in Hamburg and not [at
the final in] Doha! For sure it’s a very good feeling,
especially when there are a few horses to catch the points
and can change the situation a little bit - it’s a good
situation for me at the moment. So I’ll cross my figures,
work for it, and try to keep it long like that.”