Press release from Outdoor Gelderland, edited by World of Showjumping

Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and Callao L (Congress 4 x Asca Z) claimed victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Morssinkhof Plastics Prize at Outdoor Gelderland in Lichtenvoorde, the Netherlands, on Friday.

In a jump-off involving nine horse-and-rider combinations, Weishaupt emerged victorious with the nine-year-old Callao L. The relatively inexperienced gelding held his own against a field full of international top contenders and secured a win for his rider in one of the most important classes of the weekend.

Afterwards, Weishaupt was visibly proud of his horse, which has only recently started competing at this level. “Callao is only nine years old, but he possesses extraordinary quality,” the German rider explains. “He is extremely careful, very competitive, and has tremendous potential. My task is to bring him to the very highest level step by step.” Weishaupt has been riding the talent for a year and a half now and has deliberately opted for a gradual build-up. “We have developed him carefully. He has already won several 1.45m classes this year and has recently moved up to the 1.50m. Last weekend he even competed in his first 1.55m, in which he made only one fault. For a horse of his age, that is exceptionally good.”

The victory at Paardensportcentrum Lichtenvoorde means even more to the German top performer: “When you win here, you know you have done something special. Very good riders and good horses always come to compete at Outdoor Gelderland. Moreover, this was not just any class; the best horses and best riders came together in this class. Winning is certainly not easy then, and that makes me incredibly proud of my horse.”

The German rider is clearly charmed by Outdoor Gelderland: “I had the opportunity to go to Saint-Tropez this weekend, but I deliberately chose Lichtenvoorde. That really says it all. I really like coming here, because I really enjoy riding here. Outdoor Gelderland is a five-star level event. I am also bringing two younger horses for the CSI1*. For them, this is a perfect competition to gain experience at a good level. Exactly what they need in their development.”

Although Callao L stole the show on Friday evening, he is not yet Weishaupt's trump card on Sunday. The German rider has high ambitions for the conclusion of the weekend. “I brought Kilmister along for the Grand Prix. He is a year older and already has more experience at that level. Naturally, we are going for the win. That is ultimately why we came to Outdoor Gelderland.”

Karim El Zoghby (EGY) continued his strong week with a second place on the equally nine-year-old Hashtag des Mets (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Lando).

The best Dutch result was achieved by Leon Thijssen. Riding the mare Chiara VDH (Chacco-Blue x Mr Blue), Thijssen, also a former Outdoor Gelderland winner, took third place. Johannes Ehning (GER), winner of the Grand Prix in 2023, finished in fourth place with Kira II (Comme Il Faut x San Patrignano Cassini), just behind the Brabant native.

The young Dutch talent Tani Joosten completed the top five with the experienced Galdal Me (Zambesi TN x Chin Chin).

Hessel Hoekstra also showed he has the speed to compete for the win. With the approved stallion Stargos VDL (Stakkato Gold x Conthargos), he recorded the fastest jump-off round of the evening, but a fault en route ultimately relegated the combination to seventh place.