Harry Charles Edges Out World Champion to Win the €100,000 CaixaBank Trophy CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 3 03America/Sao_Paulo December 03America/Sao_Paulo 2022

La Coruña, Spain – December 02, 2022 – The great participation of the CSI5 * W A Coruña was reflected in a spectacular €100,000 CaixaBank Trophy CSI 5*-W, the highlight class of the first day. The world number one, Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE) , was edged out in the final phase of the class by the young British rider, Harry Charles (GBR).

Great sport seen in the indoor arena of Casas Novas to say goodbye to the opening day of A Coruña CSI5*-W. The €100,000 CaixaBank Trophy CSI 5*-W brought together all the figures of the competition, and all showed their most competitive side, galloping hard, looking for points in a Longines FEI Ranking class.

As a result, the CaixaBank Trophy was impressive and also had an unexpected outcome, because after having seen the performance of Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE) with Glamour Girl (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caletto I), few thought that the Swede could lose the triumph. And yet, it was snatched by a young rider, who has plenty of quality and ambition: Harry Charles (GBR).

**Henrik Von Eckermann** (SWE) & **Glamour Girl**

Number one of the Longines FEI Ranking, Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE), had finished his round with the daughter of “VDL Zirocco” with a time of 60.42 seconds that seemed unattainable. He had galloped with intensity from the starting line, without making the slightest correction, always forward, stepping and arriving on the best ground. The other horse and rider combinations, no matter how hard they tried, stopped the clock at 61 seconds or 62.

**Jesus Garmendia Echevarria** (ESP) & **Callias**

Among them we should mention the Spaniard Jesús Garmendia Echevarria (ESP), who took one of the most standing ovations of the evening in the crowded grand stands of Casas Novas, after an impressive round with Callias (Companiero x Casco). His round of 61.06 made him claim a magnificent third place.

However, when the victory of Von Eckermann seemed to be clear, a young British rider, Harry Charles (GBR), who at 23 years old has already participated in his first Olympic Games and got a team bronze in the recent World Championship, was responsible for spoiling the Swede’s performance, but by offering a great show that pleased the supporters of Casas Novas.

A spectacular round aboard Billabong du Roumois (Mylord Carthago x Papillon Rouge*Normandie), doing their best of its gallop as the round passed, made the miracle possible. A miracle that resulted in more than 2 seconds of advantage for the British, undisputed winner of the €100,000 CaixaBank Trophy CSI 5*-W.

Harry Charles (GBR), Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE) and Jesús Garmendia (ESP) were the top three while Philipp Weishaupt was fourth with “Coby” and Daniel Deusser (GER) fifth with “Bingo Ste Hermelle”. And among the best there were also other Spanish riders: Sergio Álvarez Moya was ninth on “Frappant”, Armando Trapote tenth aboard “Tornado VS” and twelfth, Eduardo Álvarez Aznar with “D’Orient Batilly”. Santiago Núñez Riva with “Chakira Z” also scored a clear round.