Hurray Holland! In the world-ranking show jumping competition, Maikel van der Vleuten sets the standard

A delicacy for aficionados of equestrian sports was served up today at the CSI5* world ranking jumping competition, with prize money of 25,000 euros and two rounds already above 1.50 m. Twenty one active riders of the 49 who had started came to the second round for victory. And here Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) achieved a sensational round. As last but one starter, the silver medal winner of the London Olympic Games in 2012, with his 15-year-old grey mare VDL Groep Sapphire B, went out at the highest risk level.

He rode all turns tightly and made perfect use of the generous cantering pace of his ambitious mare, with the result that, in just 44.62 seconds, he literally flew over the last oxer to the finish and victory! Thus the Dutch rider was even able to hold off the fast Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano who, with his nine-year-old KWPN mare Admara 2 and 44.81 second time, also demonstrated an incredible pace. Irish rider Billy Twomey and his 10-year-old stallion Ardcolum Duke scored third place with 45.01 seconds.
 
Things went really smoothly from an Austrian point of view too: new runner-up national champion Stefanie Bistan (NÖ), with her ten-year-old Danish mare Bogegaardens Apollonia, delivered two magnificent error-free rounds and achieved 13th place. Staying equally easily error-free was Hugo Simon (ST) with his nine-year-old For Pleasure offspring Freddy 7 (14th) but, with the slower time, just like Thomas Fruehmann (W) on The Sixth Sense (15th) he fell out of the ranking.
 
Competition 02: CSI5*
Int. jumping competition over two rounds, 1.50 m
Competition counts for the LONGINES Ranking list
1. VDL Groep Sapphire B - Vleuten Maikel van der (NED) 0 - 44.62 sec
2. Admara 2 - Gaudiano Emanuele (ITA) 0 - 44.81 sec
3. Ardcolum Duke - Twomey Billy (IRL) 0 - 45.01 sec
4. Talina - Lindeloew Douglas (SWE) 0 - 46.01 sec
5. Albfuehren's Paille - Guerdat Steve (SUI) 0 - 46.15 sec
6. Flash Dance V. Kalevallei - Vrieling Jur (NED) 0 - 46.31 sec
7. Argento - Whitaker John (GBR) 0 - 46.41 sec
8. Zoe II - de Luca Lorenzo (ITA) 0 - 46.67 sec
9. Fyloe V. Claeyssenhof - Deusser Daniel (GER) 0 - 47.10 sec
10.Van Gogh - Kutscher Marco (GER) 0 - 47.50 sec
11.Opera des Loges - Angot Reynald (FRA) 0 - 47.90 sec
12.Quick Study - Hough Lauren (USA) 0 - 47.91 sec
13.Bogegaardens Apollonia - Bistan Stefanie (AUT/NÖ) 0 - 49.63 sec
Result

That’s how winners look! Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and VDL Groep Sapphire B. © Michael Rzepa

"Mr. Speed" Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Admara 2 galloped to second place. © Michael Rzepa

Billy Twomey (IRL), the "man from the island", and Ardcolum Duke on the way to third place. © Michael Rzepa

Bogegaardens Apollonia and young Stefanie Bistan (AUT/NÖ) broke through towards the front of the international field and achieved best Austrian result in 13th place. © Michael Rzepa