"I cannot thank my horse enough for what he did today,” Germany’s Richard Vogel said after winning the CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix with the phenomenal United Touch S (Untouched x Lux Z, bred by Julius-Peter Sinnack) at the 62nd edition of CHI Geneva – after a jump-off that will go into the history books.
And with this photo special, we look back at the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva – the last Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
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Here we go... Richard Vogel and United Touch S entering the ring at Palexpo.
With a stride less on the final line in the first round than any other pair, Vogel and United Touch S finished well within the time allowed of 73 seconds – which caused trouble for many.
In the jump-off, it was all over after Vogel and United Touch S nailed the right-hand turns one after the other.
The last Major of the year in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at the 62nd edition of CHI Geneva turned into a one-horse show.
As the first pair out in the jump-off, Team Vogel then had to wait a little...
As one of the seven clears from round one, Ireland's Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro would challenge Vogel in the jump-off.
"After my first round, I thought maybe it would be my day today, but then I saw Richie’s jump-off and I have to say I lost a little bit of hope,” McAuley said.
"I started my jump-off trying to win, but halfway around I realized it was not going to be today and then I just tried to stay clear and ride for the second place," McAuley said.
"Myself I went into the jump-off knowing I had no chance to win," Germany's Christian Kukuk said about Vogel's incredible performance.
"In the jump-off, Richie was the first to go and after him, I said it was finished; I would say there was nobody on this planet that could beat him today," third placed Kukuk said.
Mark McAuley with his wife Charlotte McAuley.
The look of love!
United Touch S with his groom Felicia Wallin.
Simply stunning.
“When I started with him, many people came to me, saying that I was a great rider but there are things that are not possible," Vogel said about United Touch S' journey to the top.
"Realistically, today there was no beating Richie," second placed Mark McAuley said.
"I am so, so proud of him, because the development he did since day one that we got together is unbelievable," Vogel said about United Touch S.
A very happy winner!
While Vogel had plans of spending the winter in Wellington, he might have to reconsider his schedule as the new Live Contender in the Rolex Grand Slam...
“We did not expect this,” Vogel smiled. “But now, I definitely want to go to The Dutch Masters.”
Then