Warsaw, Poland – November 13, 2022 – The highlight of the Cavaliada sports program in Warsaw was the PLN $104,000 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix CSI 2*-W, under the patronage of the MTP Group, counting for the world ranking, the FEI Jumping World Cup – Central European League and Cavaliada Tour.
Thirty-one horse-and-rider combinations from 6 countries took part. The course, designed by Magdolona Erdelyi (HUN) of Hungary, was not an easy one. In the end, there were three clears in the first round of the 1.50m contest and only two double clear scores.
Natalia Palmowska, riding Dr. Jones, was the first to start in the final jump-off, putting pressure on her rivals with her faultless and fast round in 37.53 seconds.
Marek Wacławik (POL), riding second with Kathmandau, took a risk and did not avoid two knock-downs, and the Lithuanian champion Matas Petraitis (LTU) closing the competition riding Holle was fast and clear, but he did not manage to catch up with the Polish athlete and had to settle for the second place a time of 37.73 seconds.
And just like that, Natalia Palmowska (POL) won her first-ever Grand Prix, not to mention that this was also her first international victory!
“Even before the jump-off, I already felt like a winner, I had no nerves. I knew I had to put some pressure on the two riders I had “behind my back”. I wanted to go fast and short, but at the same time clear, and it worked out. I still can’t believe it, I cried at the prizegiving and before that as well. I have a lot of fans here, because I often visit Warsaw because of my work, a lot of close people were in the audience, which even more influenced the level of adrenaline. I didn’t think I would be able to win such a competition, I had no plan for that at all and maybe that made me a little more relaxed.” – said the rider.
The leader of the Cavaliada Tour ranking after the Warsaw competition is Greek Angelos Touloupis (GRE), who placed sixth in today’s Grand Prix and fourth in the ranking class on Friday. Second position belongs to Aleksandra Kierznowska (POL), and third to Marek Wacławik (POL).
Final Results – PLN $104,000 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix CSI 2*-W, under the patronage of the MTP Group
1) Natalia Palmowska (POL) & Dr. Jones – 0 / 0 – 37.53
2) Matas Petraitis (LTU) & Holle – 0 / 0 – 37.70
3) Marek Wacławik (POL) & Kathmandau – 0 / 8– 36.48
Source: Press Release by Karina Czechowicz for Cavaliada Tour
Photos: © Cavaliada Tour / M&R Photo
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News Polska, Longines FEI World Cup Jumping
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