First qualifier German Jumping Derby 2026: Latvian Neretniekshat wins, Marvin Jüngel fifth, André Thieme eighth

The Latvian Kristaps Neretnieks won the first qualifier for the German Show Jumping Derby in Hamburg. His horse, the Holsteiner Quinatair by Quintero, already has derby experience, at least a little. Last year, Neretnieks had ridden the 16-year-old in the derby in Falsterbo, Sweden. And the result was impressive: Fourth place. However, as the winner admitted on the first day of the tournament in Klein Flottbek, the derby in Falsterbo was a lot easier than the one in Hamburg. His preparation was rather straightforward. He rode out last week at his stables in Poland, where he is always based when he is at European competitions and therefore a little closer to the action than in his Baltic homeland. “There was a wall there too, not quite as high as here, but he did quite well”.

A total of 52 couples took part in the race. 47 crossed the finish line. Second place went to Ireland, to David Simpson. With Pjotr van de Kruishoeve, he was two seconds slower than the winner Neretniekshat. He says of his horse, “He just can’t go that slow. He is a very competitive horse. When he enters a stadium like this, he immediately makes himself look much bigger than he actually is.”

Old acquaintances

Third place went to an “old acquaintance”, the Brit Guy Williams. A man who also knows the feeling of leading a lap of honor on the derby course in Klein Flottbek. With Gringos Legacy, an Irish mare, he won the second qualifier last year, which traditionally takes place over the famous Derby Wall. Guy Williams was also victorious in another classic show jumping event last year, the Hickstead Derby. He finished fifth in Hamburg in 2026.

Saxony strong with French tailwind

With Felix Wassenberg/Elegant de l’ile (0/80.59) and Marvon Jüngel/Don Corleone Z (0/81.38), two Saxons followed in fourth and fifth place. Marvin Jüngel had read the invitation to tender carefully. That’s why he had only saddled the nine-year-old Don Corleone. It is enough for a rider to qualify. According to the regulations, the horse does not necessarily have to compete in both competitions. This is why Jüngel, winner of the Derby in 2023 and 2024, did not saddle his mare Balou’s Erbin in the first qualifier. This would allow the mare, who finished ninth in 2025, to retain her strength.

Don Corleone Z – a young hope for the Derby

The Dominator Z son Don Corleone has been with Jüngel for just under a year. “He is the faster horse, which is why I rode him in the first qualifier.” Jüngel and Felix Wassenberg, who placed ahead of him, both trained derby obstacles in Leipzig. The Frenchman Aurélien Perrier has recreated many derby obstacles there in great detail, “with exactly the same distances,” says Jüngel. The background: Perrier once rode the Derby himself, but only got as far as the Birkenoxer. He then decided to prepare optimally for the next start and worked on his riding facility accordingly.

However, a serious accident thwarted Perrier’s plans. Marvin Jüngel had got to know Perrier as stable manager of the tournament in Leipzig and learned about the derby obstacles. He had already trained at the “Frenchman’s” course, as Perrier is known around Leipzig, last year.

Also with Balou’s heiress, who immediately knew what kind of obstacles were involved, says Jüngel. He wants to use the mare in the second qualifier. “The focus is clearly on Sunday,” says the 24-year-old, adding with a grin: “We don’t want to make it so easy for André to win.

Mayday, Mayday – the material

Last year’s winners, André Thieme and Paule S, finished the first qualifier without any faults, but with a torn front piece. They were just under 1.4 seconds slower than Marvin Jüngel and finished seventh behind Clara Blau and Paul, the best-placed rider (0/81.76). “It gave Paule a short jolt and he tends to be too wild, sensitive and forward a lot anyway – so that didn’t help. But in the end he jumped very well and put in a great clear round. I would just have liked it to be a bit calmer.”

A total of twelve pairs remained clear, including last year’s fourth-placed rider in the German Jumping Derby, Frederic Tillmann and DSP Comanche. And C the stars, last year’s Derby surprise when the Contendro son finished second under Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP), who had only borrowed the gelding from Stephan Dubsky, was also clear. But this time again under the saddle of the Irish rider, who lives in Lower Saxony.

Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann rode the gelding Van Tastic over the course with ten time faults but no knockdowns.

Results of the first qualifier for the German Jumping Derby 2026