News

Tobias Meyer makes his mark

Oct 29, 2016

Fourteen riders made it through to the jump-off in the Longines Grand Prix qualifying class for the Equita Masters presented by Equidia Life and the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping on Sunday. Indeed, many riders were caught out by the clock on Frank Rothenberger’s course in the initial round.
The first out for the jump-off was the German rider Christian Ahlmann, the current world number 1; he set a good pace with Codex One, crossing the line in 37''55 (third place). But, he was not fast enough and was overtaken on the leader board by the Irish rider Darragh Kenny (37''29) on Go Easy de Muze. Then it was Tobias Meyer’s turn on Cathleen. The young twenty-eight-year-old rider from Germany took every possible risk, but kept a cool head to finish in a time of 36''57! The public were delighted to see the rider’s joy at winning; he left the arena with a broad smile, giving his mare a big kiss. Afterwards, he spoke of his impressive win with great modesty. “My mare is fourteen and has already won in CSI 5* with Katharina Offel. I have not been riding her for long. She had stopped competing on the circuit and only came back to the sport six months ago. This is my second Longines FEI World Cup event with her. It’s the biggest class I’ve ever won. I'm over the moon at the moment. It’s a dream come true,” he said.
Nicolas Deseuzes on Quilane de Lezeaux put in an impressive performance to finish fourth with a second clear round in 38''31. He finished ahead of experienced riders such as Gerco Schröder (fifth), Douglas Lindelöw (sixth), and Gregory Wathelet (seventh). The only other French rider in the jump-off, Roger-Yves Bost, finished his second round with 8 points in an excellent time of 36''75 on Qoud’cœur de la Loge. They finished twelfth overall.