Around 18,500 spectators found their way to the Derby Park in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday, where Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle Des Cotis (Baloubet du Rouet x Landor S) won the CSI5* 1.50m CG Elementum Championat of Hamburg. 

With a time of 43.34 seconds, Dreher was the fastest in a jump-off of seven horse-and-rider combinations. “It was an incredibly fast jump-off with long distances, we had to risk everything. My horse is very sensitive and ambitious. I'm glad that it was enough for the victory today," the happy winner said afterwards.

The hosts kicked off the weekend showing great form, with Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) on Chesmu KJ (Cornet Obolensky x Calido I) taking the runner-up position when the clock stopped on 43.78. “Chesmu always jumps a bit higher than he has to and he knows what he can do. He fought so hard and it was a great feeling to ride into the combination at high speed. I'm impressed with how he solved the tasks on the course," Meyer-Zimmermann commented. 

Mario Stevens (GER) and Starissa (Stakkato Gold x Quidams Rubin) placed third with a time of 44.71, and the rider was happy with his horse. “He is a very special horse. He jumps indoors, he jumps on sand, also here on grass and against this backdrop – he's only nine years old and I'm impressed with how he did it. The jump-off went really well and it's great to finish third here behind Hansi and Janne," Stevens said.

Philip Rüping (GER) on Casallco (Casall x Contender) added to the German success by taking the fourth place, while fifth went to Harry Charles (GBR) on Romeo 88 (Contact van de Heffinck x Orlando). 

The CSI4* 1.45m Preis der Büttner Group went to Gerald Nothdurft (GER) on Ride Smart Legend of Life (Lord Fauntleroy x Lehnbach S) with a clear round in 70.36 seconds. Robert Bruhns (GER) on DSP Great Princess (Gepsom x Chap 47) took the runner-up position, while Tim-Uwe Hoffmann (GER) on Spectre H (Stolzenberg x Zacharias) placed third, Sandra Auffarth (GER) on Quirici H (FRH Quaid x Escudo 19) fourth and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) on Zuccero (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caretino 2) fifth.