Text © World of Showjumping

Thursday's CSI5* 1.55m Preis der Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG – DVAG – Championat of Hamburg at the 2024-edition of the traditional German Jumping and Dressage Derby in Klein Flottbek, Hamburg, went to David Will (GER) and My Prins van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T x Winningmood).

With a time of 49.06 seconds, Will took the win ahead of Karel Cox (BEL) and Viva la v.d. Z (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Cambridge) in second in 49.32 – topping a starting field of 55 horse-and-rider combinations in this qualifier for Saturday's Grand Prix. 

Eighteen pairs cleared their way into the deciding jump-off, with Harrie Smolders (NED) and Uricas v.d. Kattevennen (Uriko x San Patrignano Cassini) completing the podium in third in 50.63 seconds, followed by Michael Pender (IRL) and HHS Los Angeles (Le Roi 10 x Cavalier Royale) in fourth with four faults in 50.29. Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) and In Time (Biscayo x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve) finished fifth with four faults in 50.38.

"We lost a bit of time here and there, so I'm even happier that it was enough," Will said about his win in a press release from the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. “Tomorrow My Prins has a day off, so he can recharge his batteries before the Grand Prix." 

Ireland's Denis Lynch and Cornets Iberio won the second CSI5* class of the day, the 1.50m Rising Star by Mercedes-Benz Hamburg after stopping the clock on 64.50 seconds. Hans-Thorben Rüder (GER) and Singu (Singulord Joter x Parco xx) got closest to the Irish rider when taking the runner-up spot in 65.15 seconds. 

Pieter Clemens (BEL) and Quatinka (FRH Quaid x Periguex) placed third with a time of 65.39 seconds, followed by Anthony Wellens (BEL) and Da Silva van'T Schaaphof Z (Diamant de Semilly x Clinton) in fourth in 66.57 and Shane Breen (IRL) aboard Cato Boy (Commissario x Böckmann's Lord Pezi) in fifth in 66.64.

"Cornet has won everywhere in the world and now also wins here in Hamburg," a delighted Lynch said in a press release from the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. 

On Wednesday, Ireland's Shane Breen and Z7 Ipswich (Carembar de Muze x Quick Star) opened the week with a win in the CSI4* 1.45m Viebrockreithallen Derby Challenge, the first qualifier for the German Jumping Derby. 

With a time of 72.12 seconds, Breen and Z7 Ipswich took the top honours, followed by Karl-Heinz Markus (GER) and Fiona (Quabri de L'Isle x For Feeling) in second in 78.03, Elisa Marlene von Hacht  (GER) and Lancoon (Levistano x Cancoon) in third in 78.31, Emeric George (FRA) and Dune du Ru (Vagabod de la Pomme x Apache d'Adriers) in fourth in 78.33 and Stephan Dubsky (IRL) aboard C The Stars (Contendro I x Cassini II) in fifth in 80.92.

The first CSI5* class of the week, Wednesday's 1.45m Team En Garde Prize, went to the hosts' Rene Dittmer (GER) and Corsica (Connor x Corofino II) in 36.44 ahead of Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking (GER) and Zinano G (Zinedine x Ferragamo) in second in 37.52.

Trevor Breen (IRL) and Highland President (Clinton x Kannan) placed third in 37.87, while Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Comcador OLD (Comme Il Faut x Duke of Hearts xx) finished fourth and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) aboard Cellagon Cascais (Colestus x Carrico) fifth.