Friday, 25 January 2019 CSI5* CSI2* CSIYH1* 2019

Riding and ridden stars at the CSI5*

Centre-stage for the event to launch the season at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER are the best show jumping riders in the world. From February 1st – 3rd 2019, GHPC Austria is hosting the 5-star Season Opening and it will feature a glittering array of stars. Olympic, World and European champions along with World Cup winners are all intent on riding at GHPC Austria, whilst a number of upcoming talents will also get the chance to compete. So it is that the field of starters, with around 75 athletes from almost 16 nations, will constitute what is truly a parade of the stars of show jumping sport.

Heading this elite line-up will be the current number one in the show jumping ranking, Steve Guerdat. Just a short while ago at CSI Basel, this Swiss rider received the distinction of being named show jumping Rider of the Year. As an Olympic and European champion, twice winner of the World Cup and bronze medallist in the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, he will be pulling out all the stops to secure a second GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix victory at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria. World number four, Daniel Deusser (GER), and number seventeen in the world, Christian Ahlmann (GER), are not only internationally acknowledged stars in the saddle but also championship riders with many top awards to their names. Both have already held GLOCK 5* trophies aloft: Daniel Deusser as the winner of Gaston Glock’s 5* Championat Vienna and Christian Ahlmann as winner of the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. Obviously, both are keen to contest victory.  Driven by this ambitious goal, they find themselves in the best of company. Because also in pursuit is GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED). This twice World Champion and Olympic silver medallist is bringing three horses to his ‘home tournament’ to be part of the action at the CSI5*.

Coming to Treffen and a hot tip as potential winner is youngster Bertram Allen (IRL). This 24-year-old Irishman is truly a sensational talent in the saddle and also always has the best of mounts. At the age of just 15 he rode to Irish team victory in the Nations Cup in Dublin. At just 18 years old he won the first round of the World Equestrian Games in Caen and was seventh in the individual with Molly Malone V. At the age of 19 he came third in the Las Vegas World Cup Final and, at the age of 20, Bertram Allen had already reached 5th place in the World Ranking of the best show jumping riders. Moreover, in 2015 he won the 5* Grand Prix of Paris, thus becoming the youngest rider to win a round of the Global Champions Tour. In 2017 he took part in the European Championships in Gothenburg and took team gold. This young Irishman has now won many big prizes and much can be expected of him in the 5* Season Opening at GHPC Austria.

Another featuring on the list of potential winners is the Swiss show jumping star Pius Schwizer. This Olympic bronze medallist, European champion and several times Swiss champion succeeded in winning the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix in 2015. There will be strong competition from Belgium in the 5-star winter premiere at GHPC in the persons of Gregory Wathelet, Olivier Philippaerts, Wilm Vermeir, Karel Cox and Christophe Vanderhasselt, adding up to five of the total of eight Belgian riders among the top 100 in the world.

GLOCK’s Grand Prix winner John Whitaker (GBR) - ‘The Living Legend’ - from Great Britain has an almost unimaginable collection of medals including an Olympic silver, four times World Championship silver and three times World Championship bronze, four times European championship gold, four times European championship silver and three times European championship bronze, two World Cup victories and four British championship titles.

Current world number 24, Alberto Zorzi from Italy is bringing Mediterranean spirit and two fast horses to the starting line. Backing him up will be team colleagues Luca Maria Moneta, Piergiorgio Bucci and that regular deliverer of best times round the course, Emanuele Gaudiano. Meanwhile, Austrian riders including Max Kühner (T), who took sixth place in the 2018 World Equestrian Games, successful female Julia Kayser (T), and Gerfried Puck (ST) can rely on home crowd support.

All those who want to experience live top-class show jumping by the best in the world can do so every day from February 1st – 3rd 2019 at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. Entry to the tournament hall is free.

INFOBOX
What: International Show Jumping
When: 01–03/02/2019
Where: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria
VIP day tickets: call +43 664 88 73 44 01
Free entry to all competitive events
www.ghpc.at

Currently number one in the world, Steve Guerdat (SUI), will be at the 5-star world premiere at GHPC Austria aiming for his second GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix victory. © Michael Rzepa

Can GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder 2019 secure his first GLOCK’s Grand Prix victory? © Michael Rzepa

Young, ambitious and highly successful: Bertram Allen (IRL) is a definite contender for victory in the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. © Michael Rzepa

Great hope for Austria! Having taken sixth place at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, Max Kühner, is coming to the GHPC with his best horses and will be trying his all to take victory for Austria in the first GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. © Michael Rzepa