Press release from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour

The first week of the Autumn MET I 2019 concluded on Sunday with a win for Swiss rider Pius Schwizer and Chidame Z (Chippendale Z x Quidam de Revel) in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A. 

It's been a beautiful week with top conditions at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour, with horses and riders enjoying non-stop sun and up to thirty degrees. Sunday was no different, and the stage was set for top sport as the Grand Prix got underway. 

A total of 11 out of the 42 horse-and-rider combinations in the Grand Prix managed to answer all the questions asked by world-class course designer Alan Wade, clearing his first-round track to move on to the jump-off. "The track was very well built, I think we have seen great course design here throughout the week," Schwizer commented. 

Niklaus Schurtenberger (SUI) was the first to return for the jump-off, and he set a clear round in 39.29 seconds. The time was further lowered by Danielle Farnsworth (GBR) to 38.88, but one rider later Julie Welles (USA) shaved off two seconds to take the lead with Ambra (Quintender x Grandeur) in 36.81 seconds. Cameron Hanley (IRL) – who won Saturday's world ranking class – once again delivered a clear round, but slotted in behind Welles with the talented 8-year-old Loukas de La Noue (Malito de Reve x Mr Blue ) in 37.37 seconds. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) and Soccero 2 (Singulord Joter x Casall) also gave it a good shot, but had to settle in behind Welles and Hanley with their time of 38.40 seconds. 

As second last to go in the jump-off, Pius Schwizer – a former world no. one known as one of the most competitive on the circuit – delivered one of his trademark rounds, lightning fast and precise. Crossing the finish line, the clocks showed 36.14 – Schwizer was in the lead. Only Frederik Troschke (GER), last to go, could threaten Schwizer but he came in trouble on the penultimate upright and the victory was Swiss. 

"Welles was very fast, so my plan was to go as quick as I could," Schwizer detailed on his plan for the jump-off. "My horse Chidame is a little bit special, but she is very fast and careful, so I knew I had a chance to catch the ones ahead of me." 

Schwizer, normally seen on the five-star circuit, is a regular at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour and comes back year after year. "The venue here at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour is amazing," Schwizer said. "The footing in the different rings is top, the fences are really nice and it is a really, really good event they put on here."

The Autumn MET I now continues with another two weeks of competition, before taking a one-week break and then resuming with Autumn MET II that runs from 29th of October to 17th of November 2019. 

More information, start and result lists, as well as live streaming from the competitions, can be found on http://metoliva.com/en/