Windsor, England – May 13, 2023 – Day four of the Royal Windsor Horse Show CSI 5* offered brighter skies and yet more thrilling action. International Show Jumping took to new heights with The Defender Challenge Stakes CSI 5*and The Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes CSI 5* for The King’s Cup.
The second day of international Show Jumping got underway with 28 starters tackling Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) technical 1.50m course in The Defender Challenge Stakes CSI 5*. The competition consisted of two rounds, with eight going through to the jump-off in reverse order.
After a lightning fast first round from Olivier Perreau (FRA), the Frenchman was in pole position for the jump-off. Ben Maher (GBR) and the incredibly careful stallion Enjeu de Grisien were first to go in the second round, and set the precedent for the combinations to come. Fellow Brits included William Funnell (GBR) and the home-bred Billy Marmite, Lily Attwood (GBR) and Karibou Horta, and Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR), who finished in third with Mandy Hall’s Kimosa van het Kritrahof.
There was heartbreak for Daniel Deusser (GER), as he and Kiana van het Herdershof were bumped out of the top spot by a painstaking margin by World No. 4, Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Viper Z. Fuch’s round was picturesque, with his sixpence-like turn from the Rolex oxer to the water tray finishing 0.05 seconds quicker than Deusser, and sealing another 5* win.
Speaking about Viper Z, the former World No. 1 said: “He’s really great and is naturally very quick, it’s his first 5* show, so I’m delighted with this result. When walking the course I believed it would suit us, so it’s always very nice when it works out. Royal Windsor Horse Show is just such a nice atmosphere, with amazing people who know the sport all around.”
Final Results – €26,200 The Defender Challenge Stakes CSI 5*
1) Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Viper Z – 0 / 0 – 37.03
2) Daniel Deusser (GER) & Kiana van het Herdershof – 0 / 0 – 37.08
3) Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR) & Kimosa van het Herdershof – 0 / 0 – 37.35
Source: Press Release by Niki McEwen for the Royal Windsor Horse Show
Photos: © Royal Windsor Horse Show / Peter Nixon
Categories: English
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