Pato Muente (SLO) won the prestigious Hamburg Derby after an exciting jump-off. Clearing the derby course in Hamburg is no easy task: The track is considered one of the longest and most difficult in the world, but this year as many as three riders crossed the finish line with a clean sheet in the first round. 

Muente was the first to go in the jump-off, and together with Zera 23 (Cero x Calato) – that jumped amazing without appearing touched by neither the difficulties nor the length of the course – he delivered another clear round in 56,30 seconds.

Next out was 2014 and 2012 derby-winner Nisse Lüneburg (GER) with Cordillo (Corrido x Candillo). Lüneburg put the speed up a bit, but had to see the a-element on the railroad fence fall so even though he was faster with his 55,16 seconds the home rider went in to second place. 

Last to go in the jump-off was another Hamburg Derby-winner: Gilbert Tillmann (GER) who won in 2013, this time riding Claus Dieter (Clarimo x Cantus). Tillmann went all in and maybe that caused the problem on the second last fence – the b-element of the railroad fence fell to the ground – and Tillmann took over the second place with a time of 50,12 seconds.

The happy winner Pato Muente had lots to reflect on at the press conference after winning one of the most famous and traditional jumping competitions in the world. “To be born in South America and sit here at the press conference in Germany, in Hamburg, as the winner of the derby… I can’t really believe it!” said the 43-year-old rider that lives in Germany.

Second placed Tillmann regretted it slightly that he went all in on his big grey 8-year-old Claus Dieter: “I did believe that Claus Dieter was fast, but I definitely didn’t think he was that fast,” said Tillmann after producing a jump-off almost six seconds faster than the winner.