Saturday, 02 February 2013 CSI3* CSIYH1* CSIAm-B

Luck of the Irish - second win for Carey in Grand Prix Tour

What a close affair the second qualifying round jump-off for tomorrow’s GLOCK's Grand Prix was! The crème de la crème of the jumpers went head to head in the 1.50 m class today. Hardly surprising, as there was €30,000 in prize money waiting and the second opportunity to qualify for the Grand Prix final on Sunday (3 Feb) and gain additional valuable world ranking points. 

The team led by designer Frank Rothenberger again separated the wheat from the chaff today with a course consisting of 12 jumps and 15 obstacles. In spite of it being technically difficult, 17 riders went clear and had to go over another eight obstacles and nine jumps to decide the winner. 

The first clear round in the jump-off went to the ambitious Italian Simone Coata with his Belgian warmblood gelding Whycoconah Ter Linden. He started the shortened course quickly but with great care, posting a respectable time of 43.65 seconds that was good enough for third place at the end of the day. Paul Estermann (SUI), competing in this class on Castlefield Eclipse, was extremely motivated after his second place in today’s Bronze Tour. His fast-paced ride shaved just under three seconds off the Italian’s time (40.91) and victory seemed certain for him.

But the fastest of the bunch came right at the end: Ireland’s Shane Carey, who had already picked up a hard-fought win in the Silver Tour this morning, made it exceedingly exciting again! He galloped round the arena at a breathtaking pace, took the jumps with no holds barred and turned as tightly as possible. His courage in pushing his limits was rewarded - all the rails stayed in their cups and at the end his hand shot up in triumph! "I’m so proud of my horse! It’s really great! Last year I was second in the Grand Prix Tour on Saturday and this year I’m the winner. It’s just great!”

Austria also had a promising iron in the fire: once again Christian Schranz (Lower Austria) proved that he and his horses are in sparkling form and with an absolutely amazing ride in the first round and a calmly accomplished clear in the jump-off finally finished fourth. Like yesterday, that made him the best Austrian in the Grand Prix Tour and gives hopes of great things tomorrow.

11 GLOCK'S GRAND PRIX TOUR
CSI3* | International jump class with jump-off (1.50 m)
Competition counting for FEI Jumping Rankings
Qualifier for competition no 16

1. Ballymore Eustace - Carey Shane (IRL) 0 40.68 – in the jump-off
2. Castlefield Eclipse - Estermann Paul (SUI) 0 40.91 – in the jump-off
3. Whycoconah Ter Linden - Coata Simone (ITA) 0 43.65 – in the jump-off
4. Quartz van de Nieuwmolen - Schranz Christian (AUT/Lower Austria) 0 48.42 – in the jump-off
5. Cathleen 28 - Offel Katharina (UKR) 4 40.01 – in the jump-off
6. Sacramento - Schans Wout-Jan van der (NED) 4 40.62 – in the jump-off
7. Carlina - Coyle Trevor (IRL) 4 40.74 – in the jump-off
8. Zydoctro vd Kapel - Bettinger Marc (GER) 4 41.34 – in the jump-off
9. Leonie W - Nieberg Lars (GER) 4 41.90 – in the jump-off
10. Con Dios III - Fuchs Martin (SUI) 4 42.50 – in the jump-off
11. Coeur de Lion - Kühner Max (GER) 4 42.61 – in the jump-off
12. Cora Quick - Lickhammer Erika (SWE) 4 48.98 – in the jump-off
13. Landthago - Muff Werner (SUI) 8 40.27 – in the jump-off
14. Capoccino - Raitchev Rossen (BUL) 8 40.77 – in the jump-off
15. Waldo - Brugman Stephanie (NED) 11 54.49 – in the jump-off
16. Sterrehof's Uppity - Houtzager Marc (NED) 16 55.34 – in the jump-off
17. Loxy de la Reselle CH - Ott Andreas (SUI) – in the jump-off (eliminated)
Results link

All Results here