A little help from a friend secured Great Britain's Harry Charles and Ann Thompson's Aralyn Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ludwig As) the win in Friday's CSI5*-W 1.55m Stuttgart German Masters 2023 at the traditional German venue. Charles, who is currently ranked 14th on the Longines Ranking and leads the FEI U25 Ranking, had a great weekend in Stuttgart. He won the CSI5*-W 1.55m Prize of iWEST with Billabong du Roumois (Mylord Carthago x Papillon Rouge) and the German Masters, as well as placing second in both the 1.50m Prize of Firma XXL-Sicherheit with Billabong du Roumois and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ with Casquo Blue (Chacco-Blue x Carthago Z).
With this photo special, we look back at the action in last weekend's CSI5*-W 1.55m Stuttgart German Masters – which was open to the best twelve riders from two qualifying competitions.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
"Coming here last year for my first time, I was actually one away from qualifying for the Masters, so I sat and watched it and said 'ok, I'll come back next year and I have to jump this class', because it looked so fun," Charles said after his victory.
"It is one of the most traditional classes we have in the sport still today, so I was already very happy just to be part of it," Charles said.
The top three grooms; Penelope Leprevost's Mélanie Cloup, Harry Charles' Georgia Ellwood and Steve Guerdat's Emma Uusi-Simola.
"Without his help, I am not sure I would have won. He told me one stride I could do less, and I managed to do it," Charles said about Scott Brash after his victory. "I have to thank him, he is great to have when my dad is not here."
Aralyn Blue with her groom Georgia Ellwood.
"I put her in this class because she is a big jumper and she is super fast when she has to be," Charles said about his horse Aralyn Blue.
All smiles from Harry Charles.
Scott Brash kept a close eye on his friend's jump-off...
...and was among the firsts to congratulate Charles on his way out of the ring.
A fence down in 34.49 left Germany's Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Clemens de la Lande NRW in fourth.
Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Clemens de la Lande NRW cutting corners in the jump-off...
Turn and burn!
Steve Guerdat's long-time groom Emma Uusi-Simola living every jump with her horse and rider.
Family first. Traditionally, the top three leading riders are invited to take a seat by the ring as the class unfolds. Steve Guerdat was accompanied by his daughter Ella.
Happy moments for Steve Guerdat's support team after a great jump-off round from Albführen's Iashin Sitte.
The future looks bright for reigning European Champion Steve Guerdat, who took the runner-up spot with his talented 9-year-old Albführen's Iashin Sitte.
Switzerland's Alain Jufer and the 9-year-old Dark Grey MM were one of the twelve pairs qualified to take part in the traditional class.
One of the four German's at start: Hans-Dieter Dreher and Vestamalle des Cotis.
Dreher was joined by Patrick Stühlmeyer and Valento...
...as well as Marco Kutscher and Outrageous Charmer.
Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson in action.
Full house at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle in Stuttgart.
Switzerland's Pius Schwizer and Just Special VK had to settle for fifth place in the end with four faults in 35.84.
Belgium's Rik Hemeryck and Inoui du Seigneur.
All smiles for Team Leprevost...
...who picked up a third place finish with the 12-year-old Texas.
"The crowd was one of the best I have ever jumped in front of," Charles told WoSJ.
...and he made sure to thank them.
Then