Richard Vogel and Michael Jackson W win the season opener in Wellington
First day of the tournament, first win for Richard Vogel in Wellington
from Dominique Wehrmann 
Richard Vogel and Michael Jackson W. Photo: Wellington International // Cassidy Klein One day after Richard Vogel’s 29th birthday, the nine-year-old Diamant de Semilly son Michael Jackson W carried his rider to victory in the 1.45 meter two-phase jumping competition of the five-star tour of Wellington. Vogel and the KWPN gelding beat France’s Julien Anquetin on Beau de Laubry Z (33.92) and Kyle Timm from Canada with Glamour du Chanu (33.95) in 33.6 seconds.
In explosion hoof prints
The “W” in Michael Jackson’s name stands for his breeder Willie Wijnen. He had already fulfilled his dream of breeding the perfect horse a generation before Michael Jackson W was born. A Chacco Blue son was born in his stables, whom he christened Explosion W, and who matured with Ben Maher into one of, if not the best show jumper of his time. Explosion’s dam Uarina by Baloubet du Rouet-Sultan is the granddam of Michael Jackson W.
He was brought into international sport at Holger Hetzel’s stables, but switched to Team Iron Dames at the age of seven and under the saddle of Sophie Hinners. Like so many horses, she carefully built him up and introduced him to bigger tasks. In August last year, Hinners’ partner Richard Vogel took over the reins. Today was their fourth victory together, the third over 1.45 meters. They also won a 1.50 meter jumping competition once in the USA.
You can find all the results from Wellington here.
