Edited and translated press release from Al Shira'aa Deutsches Spring- und Dressur-Derby 2025

The 94th Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping Derby presented by Melitta has been decided – and two riders managed to jump a clear first round over the demanding course. One, a derby specialist and three-time derby winner: André Thieme on the 11-year-old Paule S (Perigueux x Sir Shutterfly). The other, an Olympic eventer who had borrowed a horse specifically for the Hamburg Derby: Spain's Esteban Benitez Valle on the 11-year-old C the Stars (Contendro I x Cassini II).

These two pairs achieved the 164th and 165th clear rounds in the history of the German Show Jumping Derby. A jump-off was necessary to decide who would be the winner. Benitez Valle rode in first, didn't push too hard, and delivered a round with one pole down. However, the Spanish rider ended up disqualified for missing a turn mark-up included in the jump-off course. Thieme followed, knowing that he 'only' had to cross the finish line to win – and won.

24,000 spectators cheered, applauded, and celebrated Thieme and Benitez Valle after magnificent rounds at the Derby Park. "The spectators in Hamburg are simply incredibly enthusiastic and create this fantastic stadium atmosphere," said event director Matthias Rath. "We saw the spectators get involved every day – and there were a lot of them. On Sunday alone, there were about 24,000 horse enthusiasts here, and a total of about 90,000 over the weekend. It was fantastic."

Thieme has already won the Hamburg Derby with Nacorde in 2007, 2008, and 2011, but perhaps this fourth victory was the most carefully planned. "I was already thinking about the Derby during the winter season. After my stay in Florida, I took a break with Paule. Last weekend I rode him at a show for the first time and prepared very carefully for today," Thieme explained about his strategy.

He felt so good in the first qualification that he was able to skip the second and today he completed the course sensationally. "It felt much easier with him than it really is in there," Thieme said. "Paule makes it possible!" 

"I didn't expect that," said a still somewhat speechless runner-up. "It was my first time in the Hamburg Derby. I just wanted to enjoy it and have a good round."

The Spanish rider, who competed at the Olympic eventing in Paris, had borrowed the horse from showjumper Stephan Dubsky. "I've had the horse for six weeks, and during that time I have worked with him intensively and practiced the derby fences," Benitez Valle explained.

And what's next for his Derby partner, C the Stars? "I don't know exactly yet, maybe I'll get to ride him in the Hickstead Derby now too," Benitez Valle said.

Luxembourg's Charles Hubert Chiche secured the third place with the fastest four-fault round. Riding the 15-year-old Andain du Thalie (Calvaro F.C. x Quick Star), he went through the derby course in 159.62 seconds – a full ten seconds faster than Frederic Tillmann. Tillmann and DSP Comanche VL (Cellestial x Loredo) also had a rail down and finished fourth in 169.36 seconds.

This year's Anrecht Investment Harmonie & Fairness Style Award – as always decided by audience vote – went to the birthday boy Marvin Jüngel. Today, Derby Sunday, the two-time Hamburg Derby winner celebrated his 24th birthday. Unfortunately, he had two knockdowns with his derby specialist Balou's Erbin (Be Bravo x Consul), resulting in the pair finishing in eighth place. Jüngel was nevertheless very proud of his mare and looking ahead: "We'll try again next time."