Japan's Taizo Sugitani continued his great form on Sunday, when he won the CSIO4* Grand Prix of Linz presented by Sprehe Feinkost. Fresh from their third place in the Grand Prix of Hagen two weeks ago, Sugitani and the 17-year-old veteran Avenzio (Animo x Erdball XX) outclassed their competitors in this 1.60 competition. 

Eight riders reached the jump-off after producing clears over the first round track. Against the clock, Sugitani had an advantage of over a second down to runner-up Juan Carlos Garcia from Italy riding the 13-year-old stallion Cocodrillo (Corrado I x Lord). The final double clear came from Spain's Santiago Nunez Riva on Quarela de Toscane (Coriano x Quidam de Revel), who finished third. Poland's Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski had the fastest time in the jump-off, but on the expense of a rail and had to settle for fourth aboard Crazy Quick (Chacco-Blue x Quick Star).

"I have ridden this horse for nine years now, we have a great partnership. I am very happy with the win. I hope this successful weekend helps me to be on the Japanese Team at the Olympic Games in Rio," said Sugitani after his victory in Linz. 

Source: Press release from Linzer Pferdefestival // Picture © sIBIL sLEJKO