Top Takeaways from a Weekend of Jumping without 5*
What intriguing insights can we glean from a weekend without 5* show jumping events to analyze?
Despite the absence of a CSI5* event on the show jumping calendar this past weekend, there was plenty of international sport to turn our attention to as riders prepare their horses for the upcoming season, test out new partnerships and make sure to give their young horses the chance to progress.
No five-star event to focus on this weekend, yet there was CSI4* competition in Montefalco, Italy. In the 155 Grand Prix, Pius Schwizer and Vancouver de Lanlore (737) emerged victorious, demonstrating once more that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2023. There was also a Top 5 finish for one of the Top 10 highest-rated nine-year-olds, Odense Odeveld (644) and rider Emanuele Camili.
One of the most exhilarating revelations this weekend was the return of Olympic Champion Ben Maher to the show ring after nearly three and a half months away due to injury. His comeback is not only exciting in itself, but it is also made even more remarkable by his choice of equine partner. After a 10-month hiatus from competition, the current Elo record-holder, Explosion W (798), has also returned to action. The duo made a successful comeback at CSI3* Opglabbeek, completing two rounds at 140 and 150 without knocking down a single rail.
In other news, it was recently announced that Marlon Modolo Zanotelli's Harwich VDL (680) had been sold to Norway’s Geir Gulliksen. The newly formed partnership made their international competition debut at CSI2* Drammen this weekend, achieving a top-five finish in the 145 Grand Prix on Sunday. This promising start bodes well for the new team!