Mario Stevens and Brooklyn (Balou du Rouet x Arpeggio) go from strength to strength, and won today’s Maimarkt-Championat von Mannheim. The CSI3* 1.55 class was no walk in the park, with thirteen fences that included a triple combination early on and later a line that would get the better of many with the famous dolphin wall, on seven strides to the water – with those choosing a forward six instead getting in trouble to the following blue upright.

In the end nine of the fifty riders went clear over the demanding track, and with six of them being German the home crowds had plenty to cheer for as the jump-off got underway. Philipp Weishaupt set the target time at 40.47 on the huge and impressive Chico (Cordalme Z x Sandro) that more or less walks over the fences no matter the size. Riders came and went, but all had faults when trying to chase Philipp’s time.

The one to take over the lead was Gert-Jan Bruggink who as always went all in around the shortened track, to stop the clock at 39.64 seconds on MCB Ulke (Lux x Peter Pan). It was not to last though, as the final rider in the ring would steal the show. Brooklyn – a horse that has made a big impression on many lately by winning the CSI3* Grand Prix in Lanaken as well as being runner-up in the Grand Prix in Dortmund and Offenburg during the winter – continued to jump unbelievable, and being pushed on by the home crowds Stevens kept on moving forwards and got a great flowing distance into the combination and perfected the three final turns to take the win with a time of 39.57 seconds while being celebrated by the home crowds.