From Hamburg to North Salem: Top Takeaways from the Jumping Weekend
With five-star action in Hamburg and four-star events running in North Salem and Bourg-en-Bresse, what are the key moments to take away from this thrilling weekend of showjumping?
Proven competitors have showed their strength, while we increasingly see the young guns take up space among the world’s strongest competitors.
Gerrit Nieberg & Ben 431 (669)
Last year’s surprising Aachen Grand Prix winners have proven they are no one-hit wonder. Demonstrating remarkable skill and horsemanship, they clinched the win on a similar grass arena in the Longines Grand Prix of Hamburg. Despite Ben 431's recent form taking a significant dip, dropping their Elo from 737 to 669, this performance indicates their resurgence to the top tier.
Julien Epaillard & Donatello d’Auge (728)
This pair dominated the World Cup circuit last winter, securing victories in the Lyon and Amsterdam stages. The French gelding is among the leading 10-year-olds globally right now. After a brief hiatus, Donatello has stormed back into competition, making a statement with a win in the CSI4* 155 Grand Prix at Bourg-en-Bresse. Julien and Donatello d’Auge are all set for the summer season.
Hunter Holloway & Pepita Con Spita (706)
After a phenomenal podium finish at the World Cup Finals in Omaha two months ago, which hugely boosted their Elo up in the 700s, this pair has come out shining yet again. In the CSI4* Grand Prix of North Salem, they took the victory on home soil.
Rising Rookies: 10-year-olds
Donatello d’Auge is not the only promising ten-year-old showjumper to watch out for these days. We've noticed several noteworthy performances from younger horses on the circuit.
Ben Maher & Dallas Vegas Batilly (713)
Another one of the top 10 highest-rated 10-year-olds in the sport, Dallas Vegas Batilly put on an impressive show in the Grand Prix of Hamburg to finish second. This marks Ben Maher's second consecutive runner-up position in a CSI5* Grand Prix within two weeks.
Martin Fuchs & Commissar Pezi (694)
Despite an unfortunate four faults in the jump-off of the Grand Prix of Hamburg, this 10-year-old secured 6th place in his debut five-star Grand Prix.
Simon Delestre & Dexter Fontenis (724)
Adding to the notable performances of French 10-year-olds, this pair secured the 6th place in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Bourg-en-Bresse on their home turf.
Benoit Cernin & Dynamite du Miral (538)
This French 10-year-old clinched his biggest achievement to date by finishing 3rd in the Grand Prix of Bourg-en-Bresse.