Kevin Staut surprises even himself in the GLOCK’s Perfection Tour

It was equestrian sport to drive you crazy today in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour, serving as the second qualification for the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. Spectators cheered on 43 starting duos in the basic round of this world ranking show jumping competition over 1.55 m, with prize money totalling 68,000 euros. The shared objective for all was a clear round, in order to progress to the jump-off. Evidence enough of the quality of the field of starters at the GHPC Austria were the 17 penalty-free rides completed by the Olympic winners, world and European champions taking part.

For the sake of their horses, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) with Comanche, Paul Estermann (SUI) with Lord Pepsi and Marcus Ehning (GER) with Cornado NRW declined to participate in the jump-off. But the 14 remaining duos took the full risk and, to everyone’s surprise, even the victor’s himself, the winner came from France.

Twice runner-up world champion Kevin Staut (FRA), with twelve-year-old BWP mare Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC, was the fourth from last to enter the course and ultimately exited as the big winner. “Talking to my groom before the ride, I told her it would be great to get a place among the top five”, said the equestrian pro. “Normally this mare isn’t particularly fast. Just recently she did her first tournament in Rome, following a one year injury break, and is now in top fitness again. With 14 taking part in the jump-off, I knew that I had to go for it. The fact that I was so fast was something even I could scarcely believe.” joked the likeable winner in his interview.

One glance to the result showed how fast he was. With a time of 42.07 seconds he beat second-placed Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) on H & M Henna de Goedereede by more than a second (0/43.12). At 0.02 seconds (0/43.14), the latter had a veritably tight lead on Marc Houtzager (NED) and his KWPN mare Sterrehof’s Bylou. After a top-class performance, GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED) came fifth (0/43.98) with GLOCK’s Zaranza.

The only Austrian rider entering the jump-off banked on a well-calculated risk. Max Kühner (AUT/T) stayed confidently penalty-free with his nine-year-old Holstein stallion Cielito Lindo, achieving seventh place in 46.59 seconds.

04 - CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour
Int. jumping competition with jump-off 1.55 m
2nd Qualification GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix
Competition counts for the LONGINES Ranking list
1. Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC - Staut, Kevin (FRA) 0/42.07 j.o.
2. H & M Henna de Goedereede - Philippaerts, Olivier (BEL) 0/43.12 j.o.
3. Sterrehof’s Bylou - Houtzager, Marc (NED) 0/43.14 j.o.
4. Carambole N.O.P. - Greve, Willem (NED) 0/43.56 j.o.
5. GLOCK’s Zaranza - Schröder, Gerco (NED) 0/43.98 j.o.
6. Reavnir - Ahlmann, Christian (GER) 0/44.54 j.o.
7. Cielito Lindo 2 - Kühner, Max (AUT/T) 0/46.59 j.o.
8. Carolina 31 - Al Thani, Sheikh Ali (QAT) 0/47.74 j.o.
9. Hector van d’Abdijhoeve - Allen, Bertram (IRL) 0/48.14 j.o.
10.Camilo LS La Silla - Dubbeldam, Jeroen (NED) 4/43.92 j.o.
11.Fardon - Kontio, Anna-Julia (FIN) 4/45.87 j.o.
12.S I E C Carsten - Kutscher, Marco (GER) 4/45.93 j.o.
Link to results

Overwhelming triumph for Kevin Staut (FRA) and Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC today in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

Second place in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour went to Belgian rider Olivier Philippaerts and H & M Henna de Goedereede. © Michael Rzepa

Every right to be happy with third place in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour: Marc Houtzager (NED) on Sterrehof’s Bylou. © Michael Rzepa

GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED) and GLOCK’s Zaranza came fifth in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Michael Rzepa

In seventh place for Austria in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour: Max Kühner (AUT/T) and Cielito Lindo 2. © Michael Rzepa

Today Kevin Staut (FRA), in the saddle on Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC, surprised himself in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour. © Nini Schäbel