
Kraków, Poland– March 05, 2023 – The highlight of the event was the PLN $ 205,300 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix of Kraków CSI 3*-W, under the patronage of the Mayor of Kraków. The class, counting for the Longines Rankings and 2022/2023 Cavaliada Tour, was also the final of the World Cup Central European League featuring 25 horse-and-rider combinations.
“Knowing that the fences in the World Cup Central European League Final have to be quite high (1.55 cm), while designing the course my main thought was to have a nice flow to it – but that did not necessarily mean that it was easy. Demanding parts were spread all over the arena. The first line with a double combination was quite influential, and – as always – the triple combination. The riders had to keep their concentration until the finish line, because the last two fences were widespread oxers. It was nice to see how many horses and riders – not only those who went clear – dealt with these technical challenges very well” – said the course designer Szymon Tarant.

Eight riders ultimately qualified for the jump-off. There, victory belonged to the last to go – home hero Jarosław Skrzyczyński (POL) with 10-year-old bay Royal Dutch Sport Horse / Dutch Warmblood stallion Inturido (Zambesi TN x Verdi TN). The dynamic duo secured the win in flawless fashion in 41.02 seconds at the end of their run in the tiebreaker.

The second spot on the podium was conquered by the 2020 Cavaliada Kraków Grand Prix winner– Krzysztof Ludwiczak (POL) riding Niko (Numero Uno x Contender). The duo also registered two penalty-free performances, the decisive one in 41.65 seconds.

Third place was claimed by the Polish indoor national champion Hubert Polowczyk (POL), who rode M Blue’s Boy Z (Mr. Blue x Contact vd Heffinck) – the biggest success in the athlete’s international carreer so far coming after a clean jump-off performance in 43.57 seconds.

3) Hubert Polowczyk (POL) & M. Blue’s Boy Z
Final Results – PLN $205,300 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix Kraków CSI 3*-W
1) Jarosław Skrzyczyński (POL) & Inturido – 0 / 0 – 41.02
2) Krzysztof Ludwiczak (POL) & Niko – 0 / 0 – 41.65
3) Hubert Polowczyk (POL) & M. Blue’s Boy Z – 0 / 0 – 43.57

Source: Press Release by Karina Czechowicz for Cavaliada Tour / MTP Grupa
Photos: © Cavaliada Tour / Dava Palej / M&R Photo / Martaf.photo – Marta FlatowCategories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Polska