Press release from EEF, edited by World of Showjumping

Switzerland put in a faultless performance in the CSIO3* 1.50m Longines EEF Series region central qualifier in Bratislava, Slovakia, not touching a pole all day to take victory in a jump-off against Hungary, while the Netherlands took third.
 
The Swiss were imperious on Friday afternoon, securing their semi-final spot in the eighth and final regional qualifier in style. Joining them in the semi-final in Budapest will be Hungary, Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Slovakia.
 
Switzerland's first three riders - Martin Fuchs riding Sportstall Tina Pol Ag’s Fortjump Du Beaumenil (Cornet Obolensky x Elan de La Cour), Barbara Schnieper aboard Martin Hauser’s Canice (Cascadello x Cornet Obolensky) and Anthony Bourquard with Esther Steiger’s Everest D’Ellipse (Vagabond de La Pomme x Kannan) - all jumped double clears, meaning their fourth rider Gaetan Joliat on Olivier De Coulon’s Chelsea Z (Chellano Alpha Z x Cicero Z) made his debut in the competition in the jump-off.

Hungary was also in great form with all of their riders - Vince Jarmy with Miklos Jarmy’s JB Koronaor (Keve x Corleone), Ferenc Szentirmai on Lovassport Nonprofit Kft and PS Pferdehaltung GmbH’s Quandro Blue PS (Qualdandro x Chacco-Blue), Andras Jun Kovy aboard Robert Bole’s Egano van’t Wingerdhof Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Felton du Mont) and Peter Szuhai riding Psz Sport Horses Kft’s Casino Royal Z (Clintissimo Z x Goldstern) - jumping at least one clear round to leave them on a score of zero at the end of the two rounds.
 
Vince and the 14-year-old Hungarian Sports Horse stallion – who had produced a double clear – were chosen for the jump-off but weren’t quick enough to stave off the 20-year-old Swiss rider who cruised around to stop the clock three seconds ahead and secure the win.
 
“The plan was definitely this, that's for sure. We had a really great day today. All the horses jumped fantastic,” said the Swiss chef d’equipe Peter van der Waaij. “We have Martin Fuchs with a new horse for him, we had Barbara Schnieper with Canice who are a very experienced combination, Anthony with also a lovely horse, Everest, who looks very promising. Gaetan thought that he was going to have a very easy day today, but then we sent him in the jump-off. We couldn't be happier.”