Thursday’s 1.55 Grand Prix qualifier Berrang-Preis at the CSIO5* event in Mannheim was won in a supreme way by home rider David Will and Mic Mac du Tillard (Cruising x Galoubet A). There were no less than fifteen rider in the sixty-rider-field that went clear over the first round thirteen fence track, to move on to the jump-off in a very sunny and warm Mannheim today – that is counting down towards the 100 Nations Cup of Germany on Saturday.

It was in-form Jerome Guery from Belgium who set the pace on Zojasper (Concorde x Jasper) to take the lead for Belgium with a clear round in 40.76 seconds. Guery really put the pressure on those to come, and although the all tried mistakes were made on the way to attempt to catch up with his time.

Six riders later it was time for Will and the 15 year old feisty chestnut mare. The two left no doubt that they were up for the victory, and made a great roll-back turn to the oxer midway before they left the double of verticals intact – then going full speed down the final line that consisted of an oxer and a wall. That was it – and they took the lead with a time of 38.62 seconds.

Germany’s Marcus Ehning tried his best as next to go, but eventually had to settle for third on a very well jumping Funky Fred (For Pleasure x Pilot) – as Ireland’s Conor Swail came in towards the end snatching the runner-up position on Viva Colombia (Couleur-Rubin x Landor S) with the clock stopping on 39.36 seconds.