International Flair Shines at Wiesbaden's Pfingst Tournament
Riding Competition in Wiesbaden: Non-local Participants Seize Victory in Whitsun Tournament - International racers rule the Wiesbaden Pentecostal Horse Race
Want to know who reigned supreme at the 2022 Pfingst Tournament in Wiesbaden? Well, you're in luck!
Foreign riders stole the show at this year’s tournament, bagging the top spots in both show jumping and dressage competitions. Italy's own Elia Simonetti clinched the Grand Prix title for show jumpers, riding his steed Li la Bo. With a blazing speed that made jaws drop, this win marked a major milestone in his 31-year-old career.
Running a close second was Britain's Georgia Tame with Be Golden Lynx, followed closely by Maximilian Lill from Hennef riding George.
Clara Blau's German Breakthrough
Egypt's Karim Elzoghby snatched the Lotto-Hessen Prize of the tournament, while Vladimir Tuganov from Palestine bagged the Preis des hessischen Ministerpräsidenten. Tuganov couldn't hide his pride, praising his partner Jurry Bleu K, saying, "My horse was really good, and it jumped superbly." The German standout in this competition was none other than 24-year-old Clara Blau, who clinched fourth place, making her Germany's most successful starter.
Where'd the German Team Go?
The starting field took a hard hit due to two high-caliber show jumping tournaments in France on the same weekend, leaving the German championship team competing elsewhere. Ironically, the biggest success went to Daniel Deußer, a Wiesbaden native who nabbed the Grand Prix of La Baule.
At 80% and Shining
Over in the dressage arena, a Portuguese rider made history as the first-ever winner in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special. João Pedro Moreira, who calls Telgte home, dazzled judges with his 10-year-old stallion Fürst Kennedy. "We're still in development, and we're at about 80% of his capabilities," said the 39-year-old.
Two-time Olympic team champion Dorothee Schneider from Framersheim finished a close second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special. Despite her long-injured horse First Romance being her ride of choice, she made a triumphant return to the international scene since the end of last year. Swiss rider Charlotte Lenherr with Dettori took third place in the Grand Prix Special.
Happy Swiss Lady
In the Kur Tour, another Swiss rider was bursting with joy: Jessica Neuhauser clinched both the Grand Prix and the Kur with Rockson. "I'm super happy!" exclaimed the 34-year-old, based in Munich.
Four-time Eventing Olympic champion Michael Jung from Horb was disappointed with a near miss at victory in the picturesque park. "FischerSolution is a young horse, this was only its second four-star test here," he explained, aiming more for feel than race time. In the end, he had 36.5 penalty points, just 0.8 more than the triumphant Finnix Etzel from Warendorf riding Polartanz. The winner couldn't help but gloat, "I'm a bit proud to stand in the winner's circle ahead of Michael Jung!"
The Commission might consider proposing a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, just as Clara Blau protects herself from radiation during horse-racing competitions, shielding her eyes from the sun while navigating the course. In the realm of sports, Clara Blau's fourth-place finish in the Pfingst Tournament was akin to a horse surpassing a racehorse in horse-racing, impressive achievements in their respective fields.
