Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann won Friday's CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix of Sopot, riding the 10-year-old gelding Castello (Cristallo x Lifestyle).
The 1.60m Grand Prix had fifty riders at start, and seventeen managed to move on to round two against the clock after jumping clear in round one. Fastest the second time around was Von Eckermann, who stopped the clock at 45.86 seconds.
"It's our first competition together, yet me and Castello won today. The second round was perfect for him because he has a really big canter. I also was pretty lucky, he touched two fences but the poles stayed. It is my first time here in Sopot, but I will remember this place for sure thanks to this victory," said the Swedish rider.
Second place went to USA's Margie Goldstein-Engle on the 14-year-old Royce (Cafe Au Lait x Grandilot), after clocking a time of 46.40 seconds. Third was Polish rider Jarosław Skrzyczyński on the 9-year-old Chacclana (Chacco-Blue x Capilano), with a time of 46.46 in round two. Fourth went to another rider representning the hosts; Wojciech Wojcianiec on Naccord Melloni (Nabab de Reve x Acord II) while Germany's Denis Nielsen was fifth on DSP Cashmoaker (Calido I x Lafitte).
Source: Press release from CSIO Sopot // Picture © CSIO Sopot