Budapest, Hungary – November 29, 2020 – The Budapest Jumping World Cup CSI 2*-W was organized for the first time 13 years ago. Initially, the László Papp Sports Arena hosted the prestigious sporting event. This year the Hungarian Equestrian Federation, due to the pandemic situation, decided to hold the event at the National Riding Hall, as it more comfortable for horses and riders and no large grandstand is required for the actual closed-door competition. The outdoor warm-up track was covered with a temporary mobile roof 25×60 meters in size to ensure the most perfect conditions.
The most prestigious event of the closing day was the 145-cm Grand Prix and 39 competitors lined up. Unlike the previous competitions, this time riders could only participate on one horse. The online public could view many excellent rides in the first round, so ten rider and horse pairs, with three Hungarians among them, got into the jump-off.
The first starter, Dieter Kofler (AUT), found himself in a difficult position aboard Farah Dibah (Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato), as he had to find out the ideal pace and line. He choose the shortest possible lines and his horse rushed almost perfectly trough the track, they only lost a very few time before the last fence and finished with a quick time of 39.43 seconds. The following riders did not risk the shortest line but they rode at a higher pace yet they couldn’t beat the Austrian rider’stime, who ended up finishing second in the Grand Prix.
The only rider who had a perfect and really speedy track was the Hungarian, Virág Weinhardt (HUN) on Chiclana 10 (Conterno Grande x Contender), and she won the Grand Prix’s gold podium. The duo were double clear and slightly faster than the Austrian, crossing the finish line in 39.23 seconds. Virág Weinhardt has already achieved many successes for Hungarian Show Jumping and has represented Hungary in numerous competitions with great success but this year was less fruitful for her.
This GP victory and yesterday’s fourth place in the World Cup Qualifier can be major compensation for her and an excellent way to finish the year. The third place in the Grand Prix was claimed by Tobias Bachl (GER) on Cicera de La Vayre (Cicero Z van Paemel x April Night), registering no penalties and a final time of 40.08 seconds.
For full results, please click here.
Source: Press release(edited) from Nemzetilovarda / CSIO Budapest
Photo: © CSIO Budapest / Krisztina Hajdu
