Madrid, Spain – May 17, 2025 – The second day of the 114th Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid CSI 5* came to a dramatic close with an electrifying jump-off filled with some of the biggest names on the international show jumping circuit. In the end, it was Katrin Eckermann (GER) who triumphed, delivering a round to remember — the kind of performance that carves its place in the golden history of elite international equestrian competitions like Madrid.

The class featured 46 horse-and-rider combinations tackling fences up to 1.55 meters in height. Fourteen of them managed to complete the course fault-free — no small feat considering the technical challenges presented by a Grand Prix-style course designed by Spain’s own renowned course designer, Santiago Varela (ESP).

The jump-off began with a strong performance by Belgian rider Gilles Thomas (BEL) aboard Luna Van het Dennenhof, who set a tough time to beat at 39.37 seconds. However, his hopes for victory were short-lived. Immediately after, Germany’s Katrin Eckermann (GER) delivered what had seemed impossible just moments before.

Eckermann had finished second in last year’s edition of the H.M. The King’s Cup and returned to Madrid determined to go one better. Her ride through the Caser Grupo Helvetia double, the tight rollback to a vertical, and the long gallop to the final skinny vertical with a plank were textbook examples of precision and bravery. Riding Chao Lee — the same mare she rode to second place last year — she stopped the clock at an incredible 38.51 seconds.

None of the remaining 12 jump-off contenders could top her performance. The closest was fellow German Christian Ahlmann (GER), who delivered a clear round in 39.75 seconds, placing him third. Four additional riders managed fault-free rounds, though all exceeded the 40-second mark.

Among the Spanish riders, only Iván Serrano aboard Rain Man reached the jump-off with a fault-free initial round. The courageous rider from the Basque Country pushed hard in the jump-off and came close to a top-four finish. Unfortunately, a risky approach to the final vertical resulted in a knockdown. Without that rail, he would have finished fourth.

Katrin Eckermann received the H.M. The King’s Cup from Javier Revuelta, President of the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (RFHE), followed by the Caser Grupo Helvetia Trophy presented by Javier Carrizo, Regional Director of Agents and Brokers at Caser Grupo Helvetia. They were accompanied by Juan Carlos Vera, General Manager of Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, and Álvaro Arrieta, President of Oxer Sport.

Final Results – €105,500 H.M. The King’s Cup CSI 5* – 1.50m

1) Katrin Eckermann (GER) & Chao Lee – 0 / 0 – 38.51

2) Gilles Thomas (BEL) & Luna van het Dennehof – 0 / 0 – 39.37

3) Christian Ahlmann (GER) & Mandato van de Neerheide – 0 / 0 – 39.75

Source: Press Release from Oxersport

Photos: © Oxer Sport / Alberto Gardin / Manuel Queimadelos / LGCT / Ljuba Buzzola

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