Riesenbeck, Germany – July 21, 2023 – Two warm-up jumping competitions for the five-star combinations were on the program on Friday at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Riesenbeck CSI 5*, CSI 3* & CSI 2*. They ended with a big surprise and a winner who knows that “these jump and run” games are the best way for his horse to start the show.
Johanna Beckmann (GER) is 19 years young and despite Riesenbeck being the second (outdoor) five-star show of her career, she was amazing! Shehad recently joined the Global Champions League team of Istanbul Warriors as an U25 rider. “The request came through Instagram. I thought it was a joke at first. But then when they asked again, I thought I’d return the call.” It wasn’t a joke, they agreed, and in St. Tropez, the business and law student-to-be made her CSI5* debut – three weeks after riding her first four-star event at St. Tropez, still without a ribbon.
On Friday, in Riesenbeck, however, she had a run: In the saddle of the nine-year-old LB Ecstasy, she won “Ludgers Welcome Class CSI 5*, the opening jumping competition over 1.45 meters with two phases. In 35.86 seconds and without a pole down, Johanna and her Eldorado van de Zeshoek daughter easily left Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) behind her with the Calvaro F.C. son, Corelli de Mies. The Spanish sport horse gelding (CDE) crossed the finish line after 39.90 seconds.
Third (39.80) and fourth (41.44) places went to the Irish brothers Tom and Max Wachman (IRL) in the saddle of Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny, the latter known as the Olympic horse of the trainer of the two, Cian O’Connor.
Final Results – €10,000 Ludgers Welcome Class CSI 5* – 1.45m
1) Johanna Beckmann (GER) & LB Ecstasy – 0 – 35.86
2) Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) & Corelli de Mies – 0 – 39.30
2) Tom Wachman (IRL) & Rock Of Cashel – 0 – 39.80
Sources: Press Release from Riesenbeck International & LGCT – Longines Global Champions Tour
Photo: © Riesenbeck International / Nina Krug Fotografie / LGCT / Stefano Grasso
