Patrick Bölle & Caramba de Janeiro Conquer the €105,500 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix CSI 4*-W

By Jumper News on 2024-02-26

Kraków, Poland – February 25, 2024 – The feature class of the Cavaliada Tour Kraków, the €105,500 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix CSI 4*-W, was won by Germany’s Patrick Bölle (GER) riding Caramba de Janeiro. Home athlete Marek Waclawik (POL) celebrated the biggest success in his career so far, finishing second with Kathmandau. The best rider of Cavaliadar Tour and the FEI Jumping World Cup Central European League was Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks.

The €105,500 PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix CSI 4*-W of Cavaliada Tour – Kraków, for the prize of PKO Bank Polski, under the patronage of the Mayor of Kraków, saw 40 riders from 15 countries on the starting list. The first course was definitely a challenge – the fences reached 155 cm, and the oxers were spread at 160 cm.

The most demanding elements proved to be the double and triple combinations. No one could be sure of a clear round, as the horse-and-rider combinations had yet to face the challenging last line – two big oxers set on an alternative distance of 6 or 7 strides.

**Patrick Bölle** (GER) & **Caramba de Janeiro**

The course of the competition was well varied. There were pairs that had quite a few knockdowns, but in the end 11 qualified to come back for the jump-off. It had a rather unusual story – with that many riders, all knew they had to take a big risk to win. And with risk comes error. Patrick Bölle (GER) and Caramba de Janeiro took an early lead. The following athletes made mistakes and until the last run he was the only one clear.

**Marek Wacławik** (POL) & **Kathmandau**

Marek Wacławik (POL) came in as the last to go, and kept his cool throughout the jump-off. He knew that it was a chance of a lifetime for him place high in such a prestigious class. He rode a double clear, without any unnecessary risks, which gave him the fantastic second place.

I think today’s course was a bit easier than Friday’s. The fences were obviously higher and that presented a difficulty, but for my horse this course was just right for a smooth ride and to keep a good rhythm. The biggest challenge for me was the line for five strides to the combination. Kathmandau disobeyed me a bit on the landing, he got really strong and there was a risk of a pole there, but we managed to go clear. I am really happy with this result – said Marek Wacławik (POL).

It was a very nice competition, a well-set course, for me and my horse it was enjoyable to ride. I think the most difficult obstacle was obstacle number three. Some riders took too many risks and that’s where the knockdowns came from. My horse, Caramba, is 12 years old, she is in great shape, she was a fighter and did everything for me to be able to win. This is my first time at Cavaliada and I think it is a great show. The fans are amazing, I will definitely come back next year – said the winner Patrick Bölle (GER).

Third place went to Germany’s Michael Kölz (GER) with Cellato. It is worth mentioning the great rounds of other home athletes, who also qualified for the jump-off: Dawid Skiba (POL) with Odilon van het Bevrijdthof (6th ), Mściwoj Kiecoń and Cicero (7 th), Julia Jaglarz (POL) with Groenaannemer VD Lentamel (9th ) and Michał Ziębicki (POL) with O’Lord DB (10th ).