Text © World of Showjumping

Harrie Smolders (NED) and the 13-year-old Mr. Tac (Non Stop x Toulon) won Thursday’s CSI5* 1.55m Prize of Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG - Championat of Hamburg at the 2025-edition of the Al Shira'aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby in Hamburg, Germany.

As second last to go in a jump-off of 16 horse-and-rider combinations, Smolders crossed the finish line in 42.98 seconds, knocking Jana Wargers (GER) and Dorette OLD (Dollar du Murier x Fighting Alpha) down to the runner-up spot. 

"I actually thought the class was already decided after Jana,” Smolders said in a press release from Al Shira'aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby. “She was really fast, but Mr. Tac is a fast horse. I started with a good rhythm and kept going – it worked. He's a great horse."

"Dorette jumped really well, and then I thought: I'll give it a try,” the second placed Wargers said in the press release from Al Shira'aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby. “But I knew Harrie would come, and that was my biggest fear too. Unfortunately, it turned out to be true! But Dorette feels great, and I have a good feeling for the Grand Prix on Saturday. Maybe I can step it up a notch."

Harm Lahde (GER) and Oak Grove’s Commander Bond (Comme Il Faut x Lux Z) completed the podium in third, followed by Andreas Schou (DEN) and Billy Matador (Billy Mexico x Animo) in fourth and David Simpson (IRL) aboard Pjotr van de Kruishoeve (Bamako de Muze x Taran de La Pomme) in fifth.

Later in the day, Ireland’s Shane Breen and the 11-year-old Cato Boy (Commissario x Böckmann’s Lord Pezi) won the CSI5* Prize of Deutsche Kreditbank AG. With a time of 62.48 seconds, they topped a field of 43 horse-and-rider combinations, taking the win ahead of Koen Vereecke (BEL) and Oilily de Muze (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Ramiro Z) in second in 62.85 and Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) aboard Corlansky-Pro (Corlani x Cadensky) in third in 64.01.

The CSI4* 1.45m Prize of RMD Logistic GmbH went to Mike van Olst (BEL) and Comme Elle Faut Odth Z (Comme Il Faut x Canabis Z) followed by Emily Turkington (IRL) and Cornet (Cornet’s Prinze x Clarimo) in second and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) aboard Caillan (Casall x Carry) in third.