Edited press release from Turnier der Sieger

The audience at the traditional Turnier der Sieger in Münster, Germany, was treated to a quick jump-off on Saturday afternoon, with only six horse-and-rider combinations battling it out for victory in the CSI4* 1.55m Marktkauf Cup – the main competition of the day. The Irish rider Mark McAuley prevailed with effortless speed in the saddle of Destinee de Vains (Untouchable x Tlaloc M) – even though he actually wanted to take it easy.

“My mare Destinee de Vains is very careful," McAuley explained. "So I just wanted to do a calm, safe round with a few tight turns and see how far I could go. Of course I'm happy that it was even enough to win. She is very special. I let her be who she is – then she always gives 100 percent on the jump.”

The Italian rider Antonio Maria Garofalo placed second with Carem Sandy (London x Sandro Boy), a horse that has only been with him for around eight months. “I lost my best horse a while ago," the Italian said. "The fact that I now have a horse like Carem Sandy is a great stroke of luck. That's why I think more about the future with him. I am of course very pleased that we can now celebrate such success.”

Germany's Laura Klaphake and Quin (Verdi TN x San Patrignano Corrado) placed third. “I was more cautious,” she explained afterwards. “I had a very unfortunate fall from Quin some time ago. The fact that we have now reached this level together again and are back where we once were makes me really happy.”