Gothenburg Horse Show celebrated its 40th anniversary (25-28 March 2016) this weekend, hosting the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals.
By Maria Graae. Photo Therese Alhaug
Hans-Peter Minderhoud, Holland, World Cup dressage Champion 2016: In front of a packed crowd Minderhoud rode Glock’s Flirt to score 82.357% in the second-round freestyle competition to take the dressage World Cup Champion title.
Fun Fact:The win is Minderhoud’s first after six World Cup appearances, and the 13th for The Netherlands in the 31-year history of the competition.
Our favourite sound bite: ”Ever since grooming for Anky van Grunsven, claiming the title has been a dream of mine.” the Dutchman said afterwards. “I’ve had Flirt for 2 years, I thought he was a good Grand Prix horse, but I’ve never expected him to be a World Cup winner. He gives me an amazing feeling and he’s almost like a dog, easy to travel with, he’s just really sweet and easy going, but also a hard worker.”
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, Sweden, vice dressage champion:Crowd favourite, earned 81.429% with the expressive Don Auriello, a perfect one-handed canter pirouette was among the pairs many highlight’s. That left us in awe…..
Fun fact:Don Auriello’s stable name is Anton.
Our favourite sound bite: ”Anton loves to be the centre of attention and he loves to perform.” Said Silfven. “He’s pretty much my best friend and a very ambitious horse who doesn’t like to make mistakes.”
Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl, Germany, dressage bronze medallist:Scored 80.464% with the stunning Unee BB.
Fun fact: The ever-elegant Jessica is sponsored by French fashion house Hermès. Oh, la la…….
Our favourite sound bite: “Hans-Peter had a flawless ride, and was the right winner today. I had a couple of mistakes, but my horse feels better than ever, and defending my bronze title from Las Vegas last year, is super.”
Steve Guerdat, Switzerland, World Cup jumping Champion 2016:Three competitions decided the Longines FEI World Cup™ 2015/2016 champion.
After Competition 3, Guerdat was well in the lead going into round two – jumping the Grand Prix course of fences between 1.50m and 1.60m in height, aboard Corbinian, flawlessly.
Fun and pretty cool fact: Guerdat is Olympic individual gold medallist as well as the defending world cup champion, as he also galloped to victory at the 2015 Final in Las Vegas, USA. Hands down….
Our favourite sound bite: ”I feel incredible. I love championships, they’re above everything else. The win is a team effort, and I’m not always easy to be around in everyday life, so hopefully I can give back to my team in some small way,” said the double World Cup Champion. “I knew I had to go clear, and the horse gave me a good feeling from the first fence; the horse really fought for me, it’s the best feeling you can get from a horse. I just tried not to mess anything up,” said Guerdat and added; “I love and live for my sport.”
“The win is a team effort, and I’m not always easy to be around in everyday life, so hopefully I can give back to my team in some small way. “ Steve Guerdat
Harrie Smolders, Holland, vice jumping champion: The ever so handsome chestnut Emerald N.O.P and Smolders painted an impressive picture going double clear in competition 3, resulting in a total of 3 penalties from the previous rounds.
Fun fact: Smolders trains at Axel Verlooy’s stable in Grobbendonk, Belgium. He commutes 60 kilometres each day from his home in Lage-Mierde, Netherlands.
Our favourite sound bite: ”I had a good flow and I’m very pleased with my horse, so focused and jumped amazingly. He’s such a capable horse, I developed him myself.“ Said Smolders. “Steve was hard to beat, he’s such a strong jockey, and great championship rider, which he proved again this week.”
Daniel Deusser, Germany, bronze medallist: Aboard the eye-catching Cornet d’Amour Deusser made two clear rounds in the Grand Prix and came out of the total competition with 3 penalties. We could watch this talented jockey ride. All.. Day… Long……
Fun fact: Deusser’s idol is British John Whitaker as well as German Ludger Berbaum and Marcus Ehning.
Our favourite sound bite: “My horse could not have done any better. I’m happy for Steve; what a strong performance, he truly deserves the title. ”Said Deusser.” Gothenburg is a fantastic show and the crowd is unbelievable; I’m always happy to compete here.”
Full impressions from Gothenburg in next edition of EQUILIFE magazine.
Therese is the editor of Equilife, and is truly dedicated to equestrian sports and horses. She started riding as a little girl, and enjoys her free time with her two horses back home. Portrait interview is her favorite topic, as it has the gift to inspire others through peoples stories, knowledge, training and general life-philosophy, and certainly, their lives with horses.