Gert-Jan Bruggink made it a Dutch win in the S. Oliver Championat of Salzburg on Saturday night. Riding MCB Ulke (Lux x Peter Pan), Bruggink was one of eight riders making it through to the jump-off in this tough 1.55 class that counted a total of 39 riders.
It was Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum that opened the jump-off and the German rider again did a great clear round on Comanche (Coupe de Coeur x Baloubet du Rouet) stopping the clock at 43.72 seconds. It did not take long before she was overtaken by Bruggink though, who is known for his danger against the clock. A fast and fluent round made him push Meredith down to second, as he crossed the finish line on 42.25 seconds.
None of those to come could match these two riders, neither with clears nor faster rounds. Eventually, Swiss rider Paul Estermann (Lord Pezi x Santander H) finished third on the promising 9-year-old Lord Pepsi with the fastest time of those on four faults.
Earlier in the day, the Ladies and Mens Trophies were handed out. The Mevisto Ladies Trophy went to Sweden’s Linn Zakariasson on Ugaulin du Bosquetiau (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Sea Harvest XX) who was clear over the 1.50 track and stopped the clock at 64.67 seconds. Runner-up was Katharina Offel on Sky Fly SB (Carnute x Contender), who set the first clear of the class in a time of 65.95 seconds. Third place went to Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum on Unbelievable (Manhattan x Democraat) with the last clear of the class.
Among the men, Ireland’s Shane Breen and Undicci (Camiell-Flamingo Z x Cardento) were the best and took the Amadeus Trophy. Breen had 0.72 seconds down to runner-up Olivier Robert from France on Quenelle du Py (Tresor du Renom x Ryon d'Anzex), while Dutch rider Jur Vrieling was third on Arezzo VDL (Chin Chin x Heartbreaker).