Sunday, 20 September 2015 CSI5* Vienna Masters

Jessica Springsteen (USA) rocks the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters

The Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters 2015 today (20/09/2015) drew the best of the best among show jumpers to the wonderful Vienna Masters Arena at Vienna’s Rathausplatz square. For the two hour duration of the world ranking show jumping event, with prize money amounting to 100,000 euros, a very special world was created by obstacles delivered specially from the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER in Treffen, jet black GLOCK banners and those beautiful floral decorations so characteristic of what is Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters.

Thirty-nine participating duos had entered as starters in this CSI5* competition over 1.55 m, all with the very same goal: to hold up one of the unique GLOCK winner’s trophies in the beautiful setting of Vienna’s Rathaus arena. The best ten rider-horse-duos from the first round secured the chance to contest victory in the decisive second round. Among them were truly distinguished performers like yesterday’s Longines Global Champions Tour presented by LGT third place winner, Kevin Staut (FRA), the winner of GLOCK’s CSI5* Grand Prix in August, Pius Schwizer (SUI), and the reigning team world and European champion and GLOCK Rider, Gerco Schroeder (NED).

Yet following the nerve-racking final round, standing on the podium were a ‘rising star’ and an ‘old hand’ from the riding scene. Vienna’s local hero, Thomas Fruehmann, was seventh to enter the deciding round and, with his 19-year-old Westphalian gelding The Sixth Sense, delivered a breathtaking ride, rewarded with thunderous applause and standing ovations from the spectators. Would anyone still be able to beat the stunning time of 36.21 seconds achieved by the winner of second place in the Gaston Glock’s Championat in Treffen?

The answer: yes! Twenty-three-year-old US-American rider Jessica Springsteen intervened as penultimate participant. With her incredibly agile, but always cautious Belgian mare Davendy S (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Pachat I), the gifted female rider followed the instructions her coach Edwina Tops-Alexander had given her right before the start. She got each turn and each obstacle ‘en point’, zooming over the finishing line in 35.19 seconds. This meant victory in the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters 2015!

"I am so happy to be here. My horse simply jumped outstandingly and Vienna certainly is one of the world’s most beautiful tournaments. Winning here is very special!” said the beaming winner in the interview with presenter Christian Clerici.

Omer Karaevli (TUR) who, in the context of GLOCK’s CSI3* Grand Prix at GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER, had already achieved second, now came third with his BWP gelding Dadjak Ter Puttenen in the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters in 41.33 seconds.

GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder piloted GLOCK’s Zaranza to sixth place in this world ranking jumping event.

05 - CSI5* Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters 2015
Int. Show Jumping with 2 rounds over 1.55 m
Qualifying for Longines World Ranking List

1. Davendy S - Springsteen, Jessica (USA) 0/35.19 round 2
2. The Sixth Sense - Fruehmann, Thomas (AUT/W) 0/36.21 round 2
3. Dadjak Ter Puttenen - Karaevli, Omer (TUR) 0/41.33 round 2
4. Chap - Schwizer, Pius (SUI) 4/37.18 round 2
5. Ayade de Septon Et HDC - Staut, Kevin (FRA) 4/37.43 round 2
6. Glock’s Zaranza - Schröder, Gerco (NED) 4/37.56 round 2
7. Concordija - Al Thani, Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid (QAT) 4/37.57 round 2
8. Chesall - Delestre, Simon (FRA) 5/47.43 round 2
9. Noblesse des Tess - Bahamdan, Kamal Abdullah (KSA) 12/38.92 round 2
10.Pironella - Deusser, Daniel (GER) 12/46.24 round 2
11.Willow - Farrington, Kent (USA) 4/64.23 round 1
12.Domino - Coulter, Audrey (USA) 4/64.27
Link to results

Jessica Springsteen (USA) and her Davendy S won the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters impressively in the beautiful setting of Vienna Rathausplatz square. © Stefano Secchi

Together Thomas Fruehmann (AUT/W) and The Sixth Sense have a combined age of 83 years but, with second place in the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters, they were able to prove once more what they still have in them. © Michael Graf

Omer Karaevli (TUR) was able to secure third place in the Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters. © Michael Graf

GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder came sixth with GLOCK’s Zaranza. © GHPC / studiohorst

Christian Clerici and Gregor Gschlenk congratulated Gaston Glock’s Grand Prix Vienna Masters winner Jessica Springsteen (USA) on behalf of the Gaston and Kathrin Glock family. © GHPC / studiohorst