Great success for René Dittmer at the Nations Cup in Ocala

The way to the lion’s share of the 120,000 euro prize money for the only five-star show jumping competition in Ocala today was via a 1.50 meter jumping competition with a winning round for the best ten pairs from the first round. And it wasn’t just these ten who got through round one clear, but a total of 18 pairs.

René Dittmer and the eleven-year-old Holstein gelding Cody by Casall, bred by Sören von Rönne from the line of his successful mare Taggi, were the only German pair in the top ten for round two.

The second round

US rider Lillie Keenan and her Candy de Nantuel son Chagrin d’Amour kicked things off. The chestnut is only nine years old. Last year, Keenan won the Youngster Tour in Aachen with him and said at the time that this horse was so clever and talented that she could have gone straight into the Rolex Grand Prix with him. In round one, Chagrin d’Amour underlined his rider’s words. However, a pole fell against the clock – as did four other colleagues. In the end, the pair finished sixth.

Things went better for Marie Demonte (FRA) and Epona du Quesnoy. They crossed the finish line in a clear 38.89 seconds and took the lead. But their joy did not last long, as it was then René Dittmer and Cody’s turn. They delivered a picture-book round in 37.53 seconds. None of their competitors were able to top that.

Third place went to Hunter Halloway and Pepita Con Spita for the USA in 38.27 seconds. Demonte came third ahead of Annelies Vorsselmans (BEL) with VDL Kelton (0/39.71) and the fastest four-fault pair, Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira de Menezes on Contador VDM. The two were even faster than Dittmer and Cody: 36.48 seconds.

Richard Vogel and Abou-Chaker had one knockdown on the normal course. The same happened to Christian Kukuk and Viki van Gogh.

Outlook

The League of Nations stage is scheduled for tomorrow at 17:15 local time. The German team has drawn ninth on the grid, the penultimate position. Otto Becker’s selection: André Thieme with Chakaria, René Dittmer with Corsica X, Christian Kukuk on Checker, who has ended his winter break, and Richard Vogel on Cloudio.

Sterlists and results can be found here.