Start to finish victory by Marco Kutscher in the GLOCK’s Perfection Tour

It was with a flourish of equestrian sport that Saturday evening at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER came to an end. Thirty nine participants entered the second qualification for the GLOCK’s CSI3* Grand Prix. This world ranking list competition, over 1.55 m and with prize money amounting to 28,000 euros, led over 13 obstacles and 15 jumps in the basic round. Those who remained fault-free here gained the opportunity to go for victory on the radically shortened jump-off course.

Fifteen athletes contested the ultimate decision. First to start was twice bronze medal winner at the Olympic Games and three-times European Champion, Marco Kutscher (GER). He had saddled up eleven-year-old Balance, progeny of Baloubet du Rouet, and was therefore on precisely the right horse. Clear on the basic round, clear in the jump-off and a fantastic time of 31.45 seconds – this was the benchmark he set for the competition. But it turned out to be unbeatable.

As the sixth participant in the jump-off, Brazilian Marlon Modoló Zanotelli bet everything on one number. In the saddle on eleven-year-old Extra van Essene (Diamant de Semilly x Gotthardsen), he did everything right and yet, with 32.13 seconds, he couldn’t quite beat Marco Kutscher’s time (2nd place).

Double Olympic winner Michael Jung (GER) was a strong candidate for victory at the end of the field. His only nine-year-old fischerTamarindo jumped as though from another world and, with 32.22 seconds, secured third place for the duo in the CSI3* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour.

As to the question of what chance winner Marco Kutscher might see for himself in tomorrow’s GLOCK’s CSI3* Grand Prix, he opined "Tomorrow I won’t be riding Balance but rather van Gogh, so let’s see what happens. But as to this weekend here at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER, I’m already totally satisfied."

Styrian Markus Saurugg, in the saddle on his World Championship horse Texas I, also cleared twice and secured sixth place (33.44), with Christian Juza (S) and Never des Etisses following close behind (0/34.67) in eighth place. Max Kühner (T) and ten-year-old Cornet Kalua, progeny of Cornet Obolensky, achieved a fault-free jump-off in 35.29 seconds to gain tenth place and young Christian Rhomberg from Vorarlberg with Cornetta 13, despite one knockdown, got a final twelfth position (4/33.92).

14 - CSI3* GLOCK’s PERFECTION TOUR
Int. show jumping competition with jump-off, max. 1.55 m
Counting for the Longines World Ranking List
1. Balance - Kutscher Marco (GER) 0/31.45 sec  
2. Extra van Essene - Modolo Zanotelli Marlon (BRA) 0/32.13 sec  
3. fischerTamarindo - Jung Michael (GER) 0/32.33 sec  
4. Crazy Quick - Skrzyczynski Jaroslaw (POL) 0/32.39 sec  
5. Sucrette de la Roque - Duguet Romain (SUI) 0/33.12 sec  
6. Texas I - Saurugg Markus (AUT/St) 0/33.44 sec  
7. Equilibre du Tilleul - Kontio Anna-Julia (FIN) 0/33.54 sec  
8. Never des Etisses - Juza Christian (AUT/S) 0/34.67 sec  
9. Lord Pepsi - Estermann Paul (SUI) 0/34.73 sec  
10.Cornet Kalua - Kühner Max (AUT/T) 0/35.29 sec  
11.Mersley Chakotay - Whitaker William (GBR) 4/33.02 sec  
12.Uzo van het Hobos Z - Fuchs Martin (SUI) 4/33.92 sec  
12.Cornetta 13 - Rhomberg Christian (AUT/V) 4/33.92 sec
Link to results

Balance and Marco Kutscher (GER) were in a class of their own today in the CSI3* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

Marlon Modoló Zanotelli (BRA) and Extra van Essene secured a magnificent second place in the CSI3* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

fischerTamarindo under Michael Jung (GER) jumped outstandingly well and qualified for third place. © Michael Rzepa

Markus Saurugg (AUT/St) and his mare Texas I once again distinguished themselves in an international field and gained sixth place. © Michael Rzepa

An excellent eighth place was the reward for the exceptional performance by Christian Juza (AUT/St) and Never des Etisses. © Michael Rzepa

Cornet Kalua under Max Kühner (AUT/T) demonstrated his talent and jumped to tenth place in the CSI3* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

Christian Rhomberg from Vorarlberg with Cornetta 13 gained twelfth place in the CSI3* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

For the first time, Marco Kutscher (GER) received a winner’s trophy at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. Ulrike Payrer (GHPC) and Franz-Peter Bockholt (Sports Director GHPC) congratulated him. © Michael Rzepa