Meise, Belgium – August 30, 2019 – Friday could not have concluded in a better way for the hosts at Stephex Stables, as their very own Daniel Deusser (GER) and Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) went off with the win in the €93,300 Audi Prize CSI 5* during the Brussels Stephex Masters CSI 5*/3*/2* in Meise, Belgium.

Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM

“To be honest I did not really plan her for this specific class here,” Deusser commented after his round. “I jumped her yesterday and she was still a little bit spooky, but today she felt much better so I thought I could give it a try in the jump-off.”

With thirteen of the world’s best riders moving on to the jump-off after producing clear rounds over Uliano Vezzani’s track, it was bound to be a fast affair as the contest was about to be decided.

First to return to the ring, Harrie Smolders (NED) set the time to beat to 43.04 on Don VHP N.O.P. Z (Diamant de Semilly x Voltaire). The four next riders all chased Smolders, giving the win a good shot however their risks were costly and they all paid the price in the form of penalty-points.

As the sixth combination to go in the jump-off, Christian Ahlmann (GER) rode one of his trademark rounds – bringing the impressive black stallion Dominator 2000 Z (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) over the finish line in 41.36 seconds to take over the lead. While the host nation’s Christophe Vanderhasselt (BEL) and Identity Vitseroel (Air Jordan Z x Darco) gave it their best effort, it was not enough and they slotted in close behind Ahlmann with their time of 41.65 seconds.

Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM

Germany came strong in force for the Audi Prize tonight, with three of their team silver medalists from last week’s European Championships in Rotterdam in the jump-off –Stephex Stables’ own Daniel Deusser (GER) being one of them. Whistled on by the crowds, eagerly wanting Deusser to bring the win home to the hosts, the German rider shaved the time down to 39.67 seconds to take over the lead.

Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM

Despite their efforts, none of those to come could catch Deusser – who could drive the few meters home to his stables in a brand-new Audi Q2, leaving Ahlmann to second, Vanderhasselt to third and Smolders to fourth.

Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM

“Actually, it was a bit my jump-off,” Deusser explained after his round. “Killer Queen has a really big canter, so I could leave a stride out to the double – which I think was the key. To the last I could do one stride less as well, so it worked out. For today it was enough for the win!”

“It’s nice to win at home, especially as a lot of people expect me to – so when it really happens it’s a nice feeling,” Deusser smiled.

Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM

“Killer Queen has all the scope in the world. She has a huge stride, which perhaps in smaller arenas is not an advantage but in bigger arenas – like here – and with a jump-off suiting her, I can really be quick,” he continued. “In the future, I expect her to win a few big Grand Prix competitions. She’s only nine now, but already won the RWE Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia CSI 5* in Aachen this year. I think she is a perfect horse for these kinds of arenas.”

Source: News release from Brussels Stephex Masters

For full results, please click here.

Photo: © Scoopdyga / Pierre Costabadie / Jeroen Willems