“It was simply amazing! We had more people in the Derby Park than ever before,” was the conclusion from Derby-boss Volker Wulff as the 93rd German Jumping Derby presented by IDEE KAFFEE came to an end last Sunday.
“The atmosphere was unique all these days. The interaction between the sport and the spectators is increasing. You feel like one and that’s the best thing that can happen to an event,” Wulff said, as the Derby Sunday attracted an incredible 76,500 visitors.
It was the last time that Wulff and the En Garde Marketing team organized and hosted the German Showjumping and Dressage Derby in Klein Flottbek, Hamburg, as the contract with the North German and Flottbeker Riding Club ends on 31 December this year and a new agreement has not been reached. Looking back on the past 25 years, Wulff reflected: “I would describe these 25 years of derby as a book. A book that wrote itself and that we were able to help write. A book full of emotions, love, hope, confidence, activities and of course disappointments – a colourful book that we are now closing after 25 years.”
And with this we look back at Wulff’s last German Jumping Derby-meeting, and some of the 2024-highlights in Klein Flottbek.
All photos © Mackenzie Clark.
One of the annual highlights in the international showjumping calendar: The German Jumping and Dressage Derby.
David Will and My Prins van Dorperheide took a popular home win in Thursday's feature class, the CSI5* 1.55m Preis der "Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG – DVAG" – Championat of Hamburg.
In Friday's biggest class, the CSI5* 1.50m Agria Flottbek 5Star, it was Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy that took the top honours.
For Sunday's German Jumping Derby, the horses and riders go through two qualifiers. One on Wednesday and one on Friday.
The impressive derby bank...
...seen from two different angles.
The second derby qualifier, the Preis der Deutschen Kreditbank AG, was set at 1.50 and it was Emeric George and Dune du Ru that snatched the victory. The first qualifier, set at 1.45m, went to Shane Breen and Z7 Ipswich.
Saturday's highlight was the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Grand Prix where Yuri Mansur's Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm returned with a bang to take the win, just in time ahead of the selection process for the Paris Olympics. The mare had to take a break from competition towards the end of last year, but is now back in super shape.
“The show here in Hamburg is closely linked to us Brazilian riders,” said Mansur. “We used to watch the broadcasts from Hamburg over and over again on television. When I was here for the first time, it was something absolutely special for me.”
Steve Guerdat had a good show and finished 2nd with Lancelotta in the Grand Prix.
Best on behalf of the host nation were Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria who ended 3rd in the Grand Prix, also making sure to be noticed in the lead-up to Paris.
Derby-Chef Volker Wulff enjoying one last time in Klein Flottbek.
For the 93rd German Jumping Derby presented by IDEE KAFFEE it was a full house in Hamburg!
And by full, we mean FULL!
The derby is not...
...for the faint-hearted.
With its traditional course of 17 fences and 26 efforts, it takes a special horse and rider to get through the course. Carlos Eduardo Mota Ribas is a derby specialist, but even he had to see 12 faults added to his score over this demanding track.
Attitude of gratitude. Jörg Domaingo thanks Lady d'Elle Kes after finishing on 12 faults.
Mathies Rüder and For Freedom EKT were one of five horse-and-rider combinations to be placed on eight faults.
Stefan Jensen and Cyrus L. cleared the fences but had to add seven time faults to their score. That did not stop the German rider from celebrating!
Frederic Tillmann and DSP Comanche v. posted the 162nd clear round in the history of the German Jumping Derby, and the first of the 2024-edition...
...and were joined by last year's winners Marvin Jüngel and his 15-year-old mare Balou's Erbin. Here, Jüngel – last out in the jump-off between the two – checks that the wall, which was the final fence in the jump-off, stays intact. And it did... The German rider could celebrate a second consecutive win in the German Jumping Derby presented by IDEE KAFFEE.
Kisses for Balou's Erbin!
“Balou’s Erbin fought so hard, it was an indescribable feeling,” the 22-year-old Jüngel beamed afterwards. “I was lucky that, like last year, I was able to go into the jump-off as the second rider and saw Frederic. I knew I would never have come close to his time. It was clear to me; keep calm and ride without making mistakes.”
Jüngel getting ready to get wet!
The star of Hamburg: Balou's Erbin!
Then