Second Grand Prix win in a row for SV Vroom de la Pomme Z

Although most international competitions already came to an end last Sunday, there was a little longer jumping in Mannheim, Germany. Indeed, on the grounds of the famous Maimarkt-Turnier, the CSIO3* Grand Prix was on the programme on Tuesday and it got a Z-horse at the top of the leaderboard after an exciting apotheosis. In a thrilling denouement, it was once again Swedish rider Peder Fredricson and his SV Vroom de la Pomme Z who came out on top, cashing in on their second consecutive Grand Prix victory.

Fredricson and the 11-year-old gelding SV Vroom de la Pomme Z, a son of Vigo d'Arsouilles and Untouchable from the breeding farm of Geert Baertsoen of Haras de la Pomme, already won the CSI3* Grand Prix of Nancy a fortnight ago and managed to repeat that feat in Mannheim on Tuesday. The successful remained clear in the basic round and were among the ten combinations who managed to advance to the decisive jump-off. There they again managed to ensure a flawless round and with a finishing time of 46.91 seconds they again outclassed the rest of the field of competitors.

But ^2nd place in this CSIO3* Grand Prix was also taken by a Z-horse thanks to Norwegian rider Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer and her 11-year-old mare Carabella Vd Neyen Z, a daughter of Carrera VDL and Lux Z bred by Yves Claes. Lyngvaer and Carabella Vd Neyen Z, still good for ^4th place in St. Tropez last month, also left all obstacles untouched, managing to put a time of 47.78 seconds on the scoreboard.

Another notable combination in Mannheim was Swiss rider Barbara Schnieper and the 10-year-old gelding Coco G Z, a breeding product of Willy van Gestel from the Netherlands who combined the blood of Cornet Obolensky with that of Contendro I. Schnieper and Coco G Z won the 1.40m high speed class on Saturday morning during the opening day, where they were just under a full second ahead of the competition with a clear round in 58.97 seconds. On Monday, Schnieper and Coco G Z also confirmed this form by jumping to a ^9th place during the 1.45m high Speed & Handiness class.

^Second place during that 1.40m class on Thursday was then taken by Schnieper's compatriot Jason Smith and the 12-year-old gelding Warrior de Pleville Z, a son of Winningmood van de Arenberg and Captain Paul bred in France by SARL Elevage de Pleville. Smith and Warrior de Pleville Z also kept it neatly clear, crossing the finish line in 59.93 seconds.

Also in this class, Norwegian rider Victoria Gulliksen was one of the prize winners with the 8-year-old mare Dofina Z, a daughter of our black stallion Dominator 2000 Z and Contefino bred by Paul Schokemöhle. They crossed the finish line in 61.91 seconds after a clear round, which in turn entitled them to ^6th place.

Finally, in Mannheim there was also success for the blood of our chestnut stallion Epleaser Van 't Heike Z thanks to German rider Michael Jung and the 8-year-old mare Eclaire Z (Epleaser Van 't Heike x Stakkato - B: W. Vestjens). In the final class for Youngster Tour on Tuesday, they finished ^4th after keeping all the bars neatly in the scoops during both the basic round and the jump-off.