The Mercedes Benz Championship of Hamburg had a height of 1.55 m and 58 combinations at the start. The course, designed by Frank Rothenberger, had a few short lines in the combinations especially to the first double and the first triple, which was also downhill. Therefore riders could easily have a fault in the second part of the triple combination. Also the last line proved a bit difficult for some combinations. Last years winner Denis Lynch could unfortunately not defend his title due to the rib injury he suffered last week when falling down during the victory round in la Baulle.
No less then 18 combinations, among which six German riders, advanced to the jump off. Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, who was third last year also riding Checkmate, ended up in sixth position. British rider Nick Skelton was fourth to go and had a very efficient round with his grey gelding Carlo. His time of 46.53 seconds proved to be too fast for the fourteen combinations behind him although Nick confessed at the press conference that he thought before going in that his early start would mean winning would be difficult.
(photo credits: Sportfot/GCT)
Only the second to last combination, Steve Guerdat and Carpalo looked able to catch Nick but ended up in second place. Simon Delestre could return for the price giving ceremony for the second time today, this time for third position.
Commenting on the big arena Nick said that he thought the jump off would be very fast as it was a galloping course. Big star will be his horse for the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Germany on Saturday afternoon.
Asked about why there was a whole team of French riders starting in Hamburg Simon Delestre commented as follows “Our trainer has decided to start here because the level of competition is difficult and therefore a good test for the rest of the season. All horses jumping here will also jump in the London Olympics.”
Tomorrow the live stream broadcast from Hamburg will start at 11.05 o’clock
Result- Mercedes Benz Championship of Hamburg
1. Nick Skelton (GBR) Carlo, 0,0, 46.53, Mercedes Benz
2. Steve Guerdat (SUI), Carpalo, 0,0, 47.4343 Euro 5.200
3. Simon Delestre (FRA), Napoli du Ruy 0,0, 48,11 Euro 4.000
4. Michael v.d. Vleuten (NED) VDL Groep Verdi 0,0, 48,46 Euro 3.200
Qualified for GCT Grand Prix of Germany
1. Thomas Ehning (GER)
2. Karina Johannpeter (BRA)
3. Andreas Kreuzer (GER)
Pressemitteilung vom 17.05.2012 (GCT)
