Friday's main class at the picturesque CSI5* event in St.Moritz was the Maxinos Competition, the Championat of St. Moritz, with fences at 1.55m height over two rounds. Out of 41 pairs, 14 produced a clear round – but only four combinations finished the two rounds on a completely clean sheet.
Felix Hassmann (GER) and the 12-year-old stallion Cayenne WZ (Claudio x Ramirado) were the fastest of these four, and took home the win with a time of 41.66 seconds. Robert Whitaker (GBR) on the 14-year-old gelding Catwalk IV (Colman x Corleone) secured the runner-up position with their time of 42.94 seconds, while Katie Dinan (USA) on the 12-year-old gelding Dougie Douglas (Ard VDL Douglas x High Roller) placed third with a time of 43.11.
Niklaus Rutschi (SUI) was the best of the home riders on the 9-year-old gelding Cardano CH (Chameur x Apartigene V), placing fourth with a time of 43.80 seconds. Markus Beerbaum (GERI on the 9-year-old mare Charmed (Chacco Blue x Plural) finished with a quick time of 40.70 seconds, but picked up four faults on the way to finish fifth.
Just like the Championat of St. Moritz, the second five-star class of the day – a 1.45m in two phases, counted for the Longines Ranking. Pius Schwizer (SUI) and the 10-year-old gelding Balou Rubin R (Balou du Rouet x Couleur-Rubin) made it a popular home win with a time of 27.47 seconds – only to be followed very closely by his fellow country man Romain Duguet (SUI) who ended second with the 8-year-old stallion Vancouver de Canlore (Toulon x Le Tot de Semilly) after stopping the clocks on 27.52.
Maelle Martin (FRA) on the 8-year-old gelding Vegas de la Folie (Castronom Z de Hus x Ephebe For Ever La Silla) placed third with a time of 27.57 seconds, while Luca Maria Moneta (ITA) on the 16-year-old gelding Neptune Brecourt (Cavalor Cumano x Kayack) finished fourth with a time of 27.63. The fifth spot went to Wilm Vermeir (BEL) on the 10-year-old mare Hacienda d'Eversem (Contact van de Heffinck x Sheynne de Baugy).
Text © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen // Picture © Longines CSI5* St. Moritz