Budapest, Hungary – August 23, 2020 – Roberto Turchetto (ITA) and My Cool Passion claimed top honors in the featured event of the István Széchenyi Memorial at the National Riding Hall – Nezemti Lovarda. The main class of the week was the Grand Prix CSI 3*-W, a jump-off challenge with obstacles set at the height of 1.50m, offering a purse of €37,400 besides world ranking points as well. There was a multinational field, with 56 competitors representing 24 countries, among them fifteen Hungarians.

The course was completely different from the previous day, with new more technical focus. Minor errors at such a height were already enough for a penalty, causing the rider to lose their chance at winning. Eventually, ten riders were able to perform clear rounds, including László Tóth Jr. (HUN), so the local fans could cheer on the Hungarian rider in the jump-off.

Being the second starter of the jump-off, Italian Roberto Turchetto (ITA) was managed to leave all the poles up for no penalties and still be the fastest on My Cool Passion. The Italian rode the 12-year-old chestnut Irish Sport Horse gelding flawlessly in the decisive phase, setting the winning time of 30.40 seconds.

Friday’s winner, and Saturday’s second-place finisher, Laura Renwick (GBR), couldn’t beat the Italian pair, even though she masterfully rode her Dublin V (Vigaro x Calvados / Sable Rose) in the jump-off. The duo registered a clean scorecard and a final time of 30.71 seconds.

Third-place honors was claimed by Arthur Gustavo da Silva (SUI) and Inonstop Van T Voorhof (Nonstop x Fortuin Z), matching the winners’ double clear while stopping the jump-off timers in 31.68 seconds.

Christoph Obernauer (AUT) completed the top four aboard Kleons Cocario. After a great first round László Tóth Jr. on Rádiháza-Echo was confident. The specialist of speedy rides was finally able to take fifth place in a field studded with world-famous names. Other competitor with a clear round was Patrick Lam (HKG) from Hong Kong on Claron. Saturday’s main winner, Alain Jufer (SUI), finished seventh committing one fault, squeezing Austrian Gerfried Puck (AUT) to eighth place.

Gyula Dallos, Ministerial Commissioner for Equestrian Culture, prof. dr. Péter Sótonyi, Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine, dr. Gyula Budai, Ministerial Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Chairman of the Olympic Equestrian Coordination Committee of the Hungarian Equestrian Association, and Vilmos Lázár, President of the Hungarian Equestrian Federation, congratulated the winners.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Magyar Dorottya for CSIO Budapest

Photos: © CSIO Budapest / Nemzeti Lovarda / Hajdu Krisztina