Alain Jufer & Dante MM Dominate $125,000 PKO Bank Polski CSIO 4* at Warsaw Jumping

By jumpernews01 on 27 27America/Sao_Paulo July 27America/Sao_Paulo 2021

Warsaw, Poland – July 24, 2021 – The richness of Warsaw Jumping Saturday was marked by two major competitions, which counted as world-ranking qualifiers – the one with jump-off for the prize of PKO Bank Polski CSIO 4* and the preceding 145 cm speed competition for the Totalizator Sportowy award. Show jumping was gracefully mingled with supreme horse racing, right in the heart of the Służewiec Racecourse.

As for the PKO BP competition, the starting list comprised 39 pairs, out of which only five managed to secure a place in the jump-off. The Swiss Alain Jufer (SUI) with Dante MM secured victory, posting a double clear and clocking 39,02 seconds in the jump-off. As he mentioned, it was his first gold here in Warsaw, but another one for the team, which boosted his hopes before last Sunday’s Nations Cup.

Prior to this ultimate individual jumping competition, those who favour horse-riding in broader terms got the taste of pure racing emotions. Right next to professional jockey performance series, there came an exceptional show race presenting eight Polish show jumpers in action. Each and every one of them, while galloping their fullbloods, diplayed outstanding versatility and bravery. The first one to cross the finish line was Maksymilian Wechta (POL) with the experienced, 6 year-old Medrock.

The current vice-champion of Poland Jarosław Skrzyczyński (POL) had to settle somewhat at the back – surely to be forgiven, as minutes beforehand he got the best of himself in terms of speed (as well as handiness) while completing the Totalizator Sportowy 145 cm course as second. The Medium Round competition itself was dominated by Edouard Schmitz from Switzerland (four golds in Warsaw so far) with the amazing Quno. The parkour at this competition was clearly on the sophisticated side, including many interesting alternatives, like the choice of obstacles (3 and 7) or turn and distance handling.

‘The course design was a challenge again, but my horses seem to be doing the job. Nonetheless, it takes a lot to win. All I thought of towards the end of course was that my timing was not up to expectations. Somehow, though, it was me who won the round.’