Edouard Schmitz & Quno Excel in $100,000 Speed Challenge CSIO 4* at Warsaw Jumping

By Jumper News on 23 23America/Sao_Paulo July 23America/Sao_Paulo 2021

Warsaw, Poland – July 22, 2021 – Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz (SUI) and his Quno topped the ranking list of Thursday’s most important competition during the Warsaw Jumping CSIO 4*, one of the legs of the Longines EEF Series event – 150 cm Grand Prix qualifier, presented by the the National Support Centre for Agriculture.

The Swiss and Florence Schmitz’ 12-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding (Quo Vados I x Cashandcarry ) posted a clear round on the 490-meter course with 12 obstacles – including three double combinations set on the track, registering no penalties and a time of 67.88 seconds.

The clear advantage in this against-the-clock rivalry was curve fluency and stride dynamics, which was no trouble to the 21-year-old former Alpine skier, sports discipline which he cherished well along with horse riding until recently.

‘A wonderful day, and a motivation kick to storm through the competitions to come quite as well, if not better. No way I am gonna share my strategies with anyone!’ – he summed up with a grin.

Sixteen out of 45 combinations managed to complete the 1.50m challenge with zero penalties. It is worth mentioning that the competition was at the same time a qualifier for Friday’s Grand Prix. Six places were taken by those that arrived in Warsaw to compete as individuals. The Grand Prix will therefore see 44 Longines EEF Series Nations Cup representatives of national teams, as well as those individuals who had qualified today.

**Wojciech Wojcianiec** (POL) & **Naccord Melloni**

Just half a second behind came Wojciech Wojcianiec (POL) – the current champion of Poland – with the highly-experienced stallion Naccord Melloni (Nabab de Reve x Nacord II). He seems to regain his shape after a less impressive performance in Sopot, which may appear promising in the perspective of the shows to come.

‘That was a fast one. No striking time differences among the top five. A great course to gallop through and a few interesting track solutions on the way.’ – said Wojciech Wojcianiec (POL), finishing in 68,40 seconds.

As he has explained, he could not resort to anything more daring than the preceding jumpers did. A healthy bit of the awareness came through his being one of the last among the 45 to show up on the parkour set by Elio Travagliaty from Italy. ‘I just followed suit, trying to keep my gallop smooth.’ – he emphasised.

Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) with the 12-year-old Cochello (Casall x Cartani 4)came third, crossing the finish line just two-tenths of a second slower than the latter two.