Edited press release from Riesenbeck International

World no. one Steve Guerdat went to the top in Friday’s CSI3* 1.50m Preis der Frau Madeleine Winter-Schulze at Riesenbeck International, Germany. This speed class also served as the first round in the German Championships for male riders. 

In a world class field almost worthy of an international championship, Switzerland's Steve Guerdat showed how it should be done. "Everything worked out from the first to the last," said Guerdat, who crossed the finish line with a lead of over two seconds with the 12-year-old mare Uranie De Belcour (Flipper D''Elle HN x Diamant de Semilly). 

Guerdat has only been riding the mare for a year. "I had to get used to her, she had to get used to me," said Guerdat who is known for bringing even the most sensitive horses on his side with his fine riding.

Last year's German Champion Felix Haßmann finished second with Cayenne WZ (Claudio x Ramirado), while Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts ended third with H&M Legend of Love (Landzauber x Corgraf). 

After this first qualification, Felix Haßmann sits first on the standings of the men's German Championship ahead of Philipp Weishaupt and Philipp Schulze Topphoff.