Text © World of Showjumping

Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) and Valour (Verdi TN x Calido I) topped the first five-star competition at the 2025-edition of the Al Shira'aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby in Hamburg, Germany – the 1.45m Prize of Schafhof Equipts Al Shira’aa CSI5* Tour. 

Stopping the clock on 27.99 seconds in phase two of the competition, the Latvian rider took the win ahead of Shane Breen (IRL) and Scarteen (Golden Hawk x Chellano) with 1.4 seconds separating the two. Clara Blau (GER) and Calido’s Blue (Chacoon Blue x Calido I) placed third with a time of 29.77, followed by Sanne Thijssen (NED) and Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino) in fourth in 30.09 and Andreas Schou (DEN) aboard Billy Matador (Billy Mexico x Animo) in fifth in 30.92.

"This is my first time in Hamburg," the 35-year-old winner said in a press release from Al Shira'aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby. "And it's really nice. But I'm not kidding myself: This was the opening competition, so no one has ridden that fast yet. Valour and I also did a pretty relaxed round."

The first qualifier for the German Jumping Derby, the CSI4* 1.45m Al Shira’aa Derby Tour, went to Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon and the 8-year-old Be Wineham (Cuick Star Kervec x Silverstone). With a time of 71.07 seconds, they bested a field of 47 horse-and-rider combinations.

Guy Williams (GBR) and BH Gringos Legacy (Tullibards Bennys Legacy x Colourfield) took the runner-up spot after clocking a time of 72.22, while Karl-Heinz Markus (GER) on Fiona 651 (Quabri de L’Isle x For Feeling) placed third in 72.81, Sven Gero Hünicke (GER) on My Mister (Mylord Carthago x Lord Z) fourth in 75.29 and Andre Schröder (UKR) aboard Caracas 109 (Carrico x Kolibri) fifth in 76.73.