Chakaria and André Thieme and RIchard Vogel with Abou Chaker lack that little bit of luck in the 500,000 dollar Grand Prix in Wellington
André Thieme best German in 500,000 Dollar Grand Prix in Wellington
Ireland's Darragh Kenny was unbeatable with Eddy Blue in the 500,00 Dollar Grand Prix in Wellington. Photo: Sportfot Nine in the jump-off, five “zeros” and Darragh Kenny, who received the winner’s check of 150,000 dollars. A total of 500,000 dollars was up for grabs. Kenny’s Eddy Blue literally rushed to victory in big strides. The pair, who had won the World Cup leg in London in 2024, saved a gallop on the first line. Was it this first distance that gave him the victory? Quite possibly, as the decision was only 15 hundredths of a second ahead of the Eldorado vd Zeshoek son, who was born at Lewitz Stud. His great-great-granddam Gethsemane by Gepard is one of the foundation mares of Paul Schockemöhle’s show jumping breeding program. 41.77 seconds made Darragh Kenny’s triumph perfect.
Perfect timing: two second places
Two horses in the jump-off with identical speeds to the second decimal place – that doesn’t happen every day. But that was exactly the case in this Grand Prix in Wellington. The US rider Marilyn Little and the Mecklenburger La Contessa were the first to jump off, taking 41.92 seconds for their clear round. Later, Australian rider Thaisa Erwin and her Olympic horse Hialita B were also to achieve the same.
Two Germans in the jump-off
Not bad, but not really good either for the two Germans in the jump-off. The experienced pair André Thieme and Chakaria, 16, had to accept a slight fault in the jump-off: As a result, they finished sixth. The mare had taken a longer break and has only been back at 1.55 m level since February.
Abou Chaker, who is just nine years old, was completely different. The Westphalian stallion jumped his second 1.60 meter test. He misjudged an oxer and went into it. Later, the third-placed rider in the 2023 Bundeschampionat for six-year-olds was also knocked down. Christoph Kläsener had ridden the Alaba son in 2023. Richard Vogel is currently in the saddle with the Westphalian. The pair finished eighth.
