The CSI5 *-W LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP GRAND PRIX IFEMA began at 13:00 on the Main Arena of IFEMA. A class that makes the stands to overflow with people eager to see the best riders in the international ranking performing an impressive 160 cm course.
Of the 40 initial participants, only 10 were able to pass to the Jump Off. A fairly tight triple has been the main problem for most riders. However, a very close turn to obstacle six and the obser from obstacle nine, have not helped anyone to finish this initial course without fault.
Riders like the Germans Marcus Ehning and Ludger Beerbaum, or the Frenchmen Simon Delestre and Julien Epaillard, were some of the most outstanding participants of this class who have not been able to get into the Jump Off.
No Spanish rider has been able to make the initial journey without fault, being Laura Roquet Puignero the best classified. “It is very important to have World Cups in Spain,” said the Catalan rider, “and despite the fact that today has not been great, I am very proud of the performance of all Spanish riders”.
The rider Irma Karlsson with Ida van des Bisschop opened the Jump Off, and managed to stay in third position with a time of 48.28 seconds. The performance of the Swedish has been a surprise for many, since she has not been having very good results over the last three days of competition.
Second was the Swiss Steve Guerdat riding Ulysses des Forets, who managed to stop the clock in 47.12 seconds. Despite this second position, Guerdat remains first in the international ranking. “I am very happy with the season,” said the Swiss “to run the World Cup is one of my childhood dreams.”
The first classified has been the German Daniel Deusser with his stallion Tobago Z with an impeccable course finished in just 47.12 seconds. “I was really scared when I saw Steve doing such a quick course,” said Deusser, “but in the end it’s a matter of luck and you have risk it all”. After winning this Grand Prix, the German rider fell flat on his horse Tobago Z: “He’s my number one. It is the first year that we run 1.60m and he’s constantly improving.”
