Rene Dittmer, Gregory Wathelet and Shane Sweetnam atop the podium with the team from Highlands Horse Show. Photo © Megan Giese.
Press release from Highlands Horse Show, edited by World of Showjumping
Germany’s Rene Dittmer (GER) and Corsica X rose to the top during the Highlands Horse Show to win the inaugural running of the $340,000 Highlands Cup CSI5* Grand Prix and highlight two weeks of unforgettable show jumping in New York’s Hudson Valley.
In the foreground of the northeast’s changing colors and over a track designed by Gregory Bodo (FRA) – course builder for the 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France – Dittmer bested a dozen pairs in the jump-off.
Rene Dittmer and Corsica X. Photo © Ashley Neuhof.
“I only watched the first one in the jump-off and then made my own plan,” Dittmer reflected, as Gregory Wathelet (BEL) led with an impressive round aboard Ace of Hearts (Aliandro B x Ra) at the time he went in. “My teammates from Team Helios, Richard Vogel and Michael Duffy, were watching for me and told me what to do. I tried to do that as best I could, and it worked in the end.”
Major League Show Jumping highlighted the second week of the Highlands Horse Show, bringing high-octane talent and the crowd favorite team competition to New York. The teamwork that extended beyond the team competition proved effective as Dittmer’s time was less than two-tenths of a second faster than Wathelet but secured the win. Wathelet settled for second, and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) finished third on another double-clear effort with James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising) for Gizmo Partners.
Corsica X (Connor 48 x Corofino II) has been a stellar partner for Dittmer, who has spent the past few years traveling from his home in Europe to North America to not only compete, but to sweep international results.
“She doesn’t waste any time at the jump,” he said of the 12-year-old Holsteiner mare and her strengths. “I’ve had her for about three years and I’m super happy to be given the opportunity by her owner, Mark Miness. Today was a great day in our story.”
In conclusion to an incredible week of sport, culture, entertainment and family friendly activities, Highlands Horse Show Event Director Pedro Torres said: “The week was fantastic. It’s been an amazing effort by a huge team. The spectators really enjoyed it, and the amount of talent we have here with all these riders is insane. We want to continue to grow the sport in the Northeast and keep it here. We’re excited about next year and hopefully we go bigger.”
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