Thrills and spills from the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome, part two

“I have said many times that I love this horse as much as my wife, who accepts it," Germany's Andre Thieme said about his incredible DSP Chakaria after the two took the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix-title in Rome last Sunday. "She’s my horse of a lifetime, I know I will never get one like her again, and I’m trying to enjoy every horse show that I have with her. She is such a winner and such a clear-round machine. She has given me and my family and my groom so many special moments all around the world that I know I’m blessed with this horse!"

With this photo special, we look back on the action-packed second round of Sunday's CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix of Rome at Piazza di Siena.

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.

The beautiful Piazza di Siena was fully seated as some of the world's best riders jumped for the win in the Rolex Grand Prix.

Jens Fredricson and Markan Cosmopolit took an early lead and held on to it for quite a while, before Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria pushed them down to the runner-up position.

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue taking a moment together before their second round.

Koen Vereecke and Kasanova de La Pomme delivered a clear second round with a time good enough for a 3rd place. However, with four faults from the first round, they had to settle for the 6th place as the fastest combination with four faults.

Full focus for Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Chevaux Primavera Montana Imperio Egipcio, who delivered a clear round in 47.46 seconds to take the third place.

Emanuele Gaudiano and Chalou had two fences down as they chased the win. They finished in 8th place.

As the last pair out in the second round, Laura Kraut and Baloutinue entered the ring with all to play for. Unfortunately, the two parted ways after fence three, in a turn where just like many others before them, Baloutinue slipped, unbalancing Kraut.

Luckily, both horse and rider seemed to escape the fall without any serious consequences. Baloutinue did take his time in the ring though, with many of the riders entering the arena in an attempt to help catch him. In the end, it was Jur Vrieling who managed to do so.

Luckily, Laura and Baloutinue both seemed ok when leaving the ring.

Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria outclassed the rest of the field, crossing the finish line in 42.64 seconds: 2.55 seconds faster than runners-up Jens Fredricson and Markan Cosmopolit.

Bryan Balsiger and Dubai du Bois Pinchet were well on their way to the win and went full speed to the last fence...

...however, the pair drifted to the side and Dubai du Bois Pinchet ran past the final fence, dropping them down on the result list.

Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver 3 N.O.P. made a steady second round to finish in fifth place.

Harrie Smolders and Bingo du Park finished the second round with four faults to take the 7th place.

Tim Gredley and Medoc de Toxandria delivered a clear jump-off in a time of 48.65 to finish fourth.

Pieter Devos and Nascar Van 'T Siamshof lost their rhythm after a slip in the turn after the Eni-fence and in the end they finished on eight faults to take the 11th place.

Kasanova de La Pomme doing his usual acrobatics in between the fences.

Francesca Ciriesi and Cape Coral carried four faults from the first round and after adding another four in the second round, they had to settle for the 9th place.

A happy Team Fredricson!

A moment between Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Chevaux Primavera Montana Imperio Egipcio.

Bingo du Parc and Josefine Göransson waiting for the prize giving ceremony.

Lots of love for Jur Vrieling's Long John Silver 3 N.O.P.

All smiles! Great Britain's Tim Gredley and Medoc de Toxandria finished fourth.

Any treats there for me?

“This is my first time in Rome and the first time here at Piazza di Siena and I think I should never come back now because it can’t get any better," Andre Thieme said after his victory.