Who Will Star in Sopot?
The Grand Prix of Sopot, Poland has attracted a strong German and Swiss contingent to compete for the win. Who are the favourites?
Fifty combinations come forward in the CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix of Sopot in Poland this afternoon. The Germans and the Swiss come in all guns blazing in this competition.
The Favourite
Gerrit Nieberg & Blues d’Aveline (707)
This strong pair comes in as the highest-rated combination in the field this afternoon. They started the 2023 season off with a bang by winning the World Cup on home soil in Leipzig. We haven’t seen them at five-star level since a disappointing outing at the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha in April, but despite that they still sport a strong 57% clear rate at five-star 160 (4 from 7). They will be determined to get back to their winning form here in Poland.
One To Watch
Martin Fuchs & Commissar Pezi (702)
Martin is one of the strongest riders on the circuit today and has a rising young star in the 10-year-old Commissar Pezi. Already one of the Top 15 highest-rated 10-year-olds in the world, Commissar Pezi has claimed his rightful place as one of Martin’s leading mounts. Just two weeks ago, the pair finished second in the CSIO5* Grand Prix on home soil in Sankt Gallen. Will they be able to improve that performance and come home from Poland with their first Grand Prix victory?
Hometown Hero
Przemyslaw Konopacki & Home-Run (636)
The highest-rated Polish combination ranks 14th in the field. This pair have only recently been introduced to the five-star level and are still finding their bearings. Despite this, they have already produced one clear at five-star 160 from two starts. With many Top 5 placings in 2* and 3* Grand Prix already under their belt, with the extra support of the home crowd, Przemyslaw and Home-Run are motivated to put in a strong performance today.