Denis Nielsen was ready for it, that was obvious to see for the spectators in Hagen, when the rider from Isen entered the arena for the crucial second round in the CSI4* 1.60m Grand Prix of Deutsche Kreditbank AG. 

Riding his grey stallion Cashmoaker DSP (Calido I x Lafitte), Nielsen left the competition in his wake. “I couldn’t watch a lot of the other riders, Cashmoaker was so energetic that I had to keep him moving and occupied. So I just went for it in the ring. I guess in hindsight I could have taken it a little easier, but everything paid off in the end,” the 29-year-old happily admitted.

The DKB-Riders Tour series, which was launched in great style at Horses & Dreams meets the Royal Kingdom of Jordan, has priority in the Nielsen’s schedule for the season. Second place-getter Christian Rhomberg (AUT), who competed his top horse Saphyr des Lacs (Mr. Blue x First Bride) at Hagen, has similar plans after his successful 2017 DKB-Riders Tour season. Third place went to the Irish jumper Cameron Hanley and Quirex (Quirado x Concept). Last year’s Rider of the Year and overall series winner Markus Beerbaum had a great start to the season as well, he placed fourth riding Cool Hand Luke (Contendro I x Argentinus). 

DKB Chairman Stefan Unterlandsstätter was more than content with the start to the new season: “It was a great and very challenging course and we were blessed with a very knowledgeable equestrian audience.” 

Tour-boss Paul Schockemöhle also enjoyed the atmosphere in Hagen: “There’s always a great feeling of familiarity at Hof Kasselmann and the event has come a long way in the last 20 years. In the past, some people were critical of having a DKB-Riders Tour event in Hagen, but now everyone is happy to have the event here, it is a great match.”