CONTINUING their domination of big ring grass grands prix, Germany’s Gerrit Nieberg and Ben 431 added the Longines grand prix of Hamburg to their CV with a classy performance.
It had looked for a long time as though we might see a British winner after Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly set a strong jump-off target, but the Hertfordshire rider had to settle for the runner-up spot for the second week in a row.
A field of 12 came through for the jump-off and from mid-draw, Ben Maher made a bold bid with the big-striding Cap Kennedy mare, with whom he won a CSI4* grand prix in Florida shortly before the fall that ruled him out for three months. The 10-year-old mare cruised round the vast Hamburg arena in front of some 25,000 spectators and, displaying superb rideability these days, she and Ben rocketed home in 47.22sec.
This put pressure on their pursuers and poles tumbled. That was until late-drawn Gerrit staked his claim with the 12-year-old Sylvain gelding, with whom he won last year’s Rolex grand prix at Aachen, but also proved great versatility by winning a jump-off class at the London International last December.
“I had a good feeling in the first round, so I knew I could take a risk in the jump-off,” said Gerrit, who turns 30 this year. “We got him at the end of his seven-year-old year and we’re a good team. When he goes into the ring, he always gives his best.”
The gelding’s huge stride put them up on the clock at the halfway point and they powered home in 46.63sec to claim the €75,000 (£65,200) top prize and beat the horse’s British namesake, whose wife Sophie had, earlier in the day, headed a two-phase with her great partner, the 14-year-old Sentimiento LS La Silla.
This story is from the May 25, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 25, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tanking over the Plain
The Royal Artillery are out in force for their closing meet a fun and fast day out on Salisbury Plain
Sweet dreams
Whether you're looking to smarten up an existing yard or build a new one from scratch, there's a growing range of kit to add comfort and quality, finds Stephanie Bateman
'I didn't think I'd win it from the front'
Jamie Wingove claims an unexpected grand prix victory and a super-versatile 15hh working hunter comes away crowned a showjumping champion
The pick of the picnics
Sport is the main part of an equestrian day out, but good food enhances it. Netia Walker finds out about picnics that will beat the burger van if it ever stops raining
To the bone
Are you searching for a complete guide to joint injections? The hunt is over. Thijs de Bont MRCVS demystifies their contents, application and use in pain and performance management
Deadlock
A deadly disease characterised by lockjaw, tetanus is fatal in the majority of cases. Karen Coumbe MRCVS explains how a vaccine protects your horse
Ready to roll
A lot goes into ensuring safe road travel for horses, be it training, vehicle safety or on-the-day measures. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS explains
Carl Hester's PA
Claudine Bichard on alleviating the enormous paperwork burden, working alongside Valegro and why you mustn’t tell Carl he’s lucky to have her
Robbie Llewellyn
Covid chicken sales and working on Hollywood blockbusters might be an unlikely route to National Hunt success, but Robbie Llewellyn is forging an entrepreneurial path. Gemma Redrup meets him
'No atmosphere was lost'
Ronnie Lee Jones on the importance of good sportsmanship