Clear skies, a light breeze and plenty of sunshine were the conditions that proved to be to the liking of Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt during the CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Slovakia on Friday. 

Held on the rolling grass field of Šamorín’s Main Stadium at the world-famous x-bionic® sphere, 48 riders took to the course designed by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani. Although the waning light created some unexpected challenges for a few competitors—specifically at the second last fence on course—the twelve top-scoring riders were called back to compete on Vezzani’s shortened track against the clock.

In round two, there was little that could be done about Weishaupt and the 11-year-old Selle Français mare Asathir (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge) that delivered a double-clear in the time of 40.33 seconds. 

“I am delighted with my horse, she did very well. It is the first time for me in Šamorín, [and] when I saw this place, it was unbelievable,” said Weishaupt. "It is an honor to ride here.”

Brazil’s Luiz Francisco de Azevedo, also double clear aboard the 11-year-old KWPN stallion Comic (Verdi TN x Heartbreaker), finished in second place. Egypt’s Abdel Said and Callisto (Quasimodo Z x Jokinal de Bornival) closed out the podium placings in third. This was the second top result of the day for Said, who also rode to the win in Friday’s Prize Heineken on Beauminka (Jodokus x Akteur).

Sweden's Malin Baryard Johnsson finished fourth with the last double clear of the class aboard H&M Cue Channa 42 (Cardento 933 x Robin Z), while fifth place went to Brazil's Luiz Felipe de Azevedo Filho on Chacito (Chacco-Blue x Daimler) with two time penalties in total.