The first of a total of five Longines Ranking classes was the highlight this Friday at the CSI5* show at the Glock Horse Performance Center in Austria. With prize money totalling 62,000 euros and a maximum height of 1.50m, this five-star jumping competition presented the first great challenge of the weekend.

Forty-five of the best riders in the world came to the start line in the CSI5* GLOCK’s Perfection Tour, where twelve pairs delivered clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.

Number six in the world, Daniel Deusser (GER), was the first to start in the jump-off in the saddle of Calisto Blue (Chacco Blue x Con Air) and laid down a superb time of 38.18 – ultimately enough for the second place. Olympic team silver medallist, World and European Team Champion Jur Vrieling (NED), riding VDL Glasgow vd Merelsnest N.O.P. (Nabab de Reve x Darco), showed that it was indeed possible to go a bit faster and took a convincing victory in 38.16 seconds.

“There are really good riders here. Glasgow has just had two months off and of course I hope we might just win another competition or two this weekend,” said a beaming Jur Vrieling at the official awards ceremony.

Third place went to Wilm Vermeir (BEL) who, with Iq van het Steentje (Toulon x Kannan), completed a second clear round in 39.73 seconds. 

The best Austrian in this Longines Ranking competition, who recently took sixth place at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, was Max Kühner. As number one of the Top of Austria, he had saddled up 14-year-old Cornet Kalua (Cornet Obolensky x Platin), finishing fourth with a clear round in 40.73 seconds.

Earlier in the day, Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) – well known for riding fast rounds – won the CSI5* 1.45m GLOCK’s Opening Competition aboard Quinn van de Heffinck (For Pleasure x Concetto). “I always look forward so much to coming here, because the conditions for riders and horses are simply perfect. The fact that this year sees the first 5-star tournament in the hall is fantastic, of course,” said the beaming winner in his interview.