Text © World of Showjumping

Switzerland's Steve Guerdat – reigning European Champion – and the wonderful 15-year-old gelding Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco du Guet) won Friday's CSI5* 1.50m Agria Flottbek 5Star at the 2024-edition of the traditional German Jumping and Dressage Derby in Hamburg, Germany. 

Twelve out of the 43 horse-and-rider combinations at start cleared their way into the deciding jump-off, where Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy stopped the clock on 37.60 seconds to take the win ahead of Nicola Pohl (GER) and Arlo de Blondel (Tlaloc M x Kassidi) in second in 38.49. 

It was a good day for the German lady riders as Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) and In Time (Biscayo x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve) placed third with a time of 38.79 seconds, followed by Jana Wargers (GER) and Clash Royale (Clarimo x Wellenspiel) in fourth in 38.98. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano) completed the top five in fifth in 39.17 seconds.

“He jumped well in the first round, but I noticed that he was still a bit rusty," Guredat said in a press release from the German Jumping and Dressage Derby, referring to the fact that this was the gelding's second show of 2024 after a longer break following CHI Geneva last year. "In the jump-off, he felt better and reacted even better than I expected.”

“The beginning with Venard was difficult, but what he has done for us is absolutely incredible. He always gives everything for us,” Guerdat said of his faithful friend.

The CSI4* 1.50m Preis der Deutschen Kreditbank AG – the second qualifier for the German Jumping Derby – went to Emeric George (FRA) and Dune du Ru (Vagabond de La Pomme x Apache d'Adriers). With a time of 91.14, the French pair spoiled a German party when taking the win ahead of Elisa Marlene von Hacht (GER) and Lancoon (Levistano x Cancoon) in second in 100.16, Marvin Jüngel (GER) and Balou's Erbin OLD (Be Bravo x Consul) in third in 102.59, Christian Hess (GER) and Claron CR (Clearway x Quinar) in fourth in 103.68 and Clara Blau (GER) aboard Paul (Sunrise x Lucnaor) in fifth in 107.44. 

"My mare needs this fast basic pace, she has no problems with the Derby fences and can turn very quickly," Emeric George said in a press release from the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. "I was fourth in the first qualification here on Wednesday, so I knew I had to ride faster."