Top weekend for Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z in Hamburg

With no fewer than three five-star competitions on European soil, last weekend was a particularly busy one at the very highest level. Especially in Hamburg, Germany, there was a lot of international action, with a genuine four-star competition in addition to the five-star competition. The star of the weekend was the mare Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z, who pulled off a unique double over the weekend.

Hamburg's famous grass arena again attracted many spectators to Klein Flottbek over the past few days for one of the most prestigious competitions of the year. Belgian rider Mike van Olst also travelled to northern Germany and counted on, among others, the 11-year-old mare Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z, a daughter of Comme Il Faut and Canabis Z from the breeding farm of NV ODTH. Van Olst and Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z immediately made themselves heard on Wednesday during the opening day with a ^4th place in the 1.40m class, but only really gained steam during the 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday. In a class against the clock, they raced to a convincing finishing time of 69.36 seconds, just over two full seconds ahead of their closest pursuers.

However, the absolute highlight of their weekend came on Saturday, when, after their victory in the qualifier, they also became the overall winners in the CSI4* Grand Prix. The successful duo was one of thirteen combinations to complete the 1.50m basic round and thus qualify for the jump-off. In it, they once again managed to keep their cool and with a whirlwind finishing time of 42.65 seconds they ensured a unique double!

However, Van Olst and Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z were not the only ones to make it to the Grand Prix podium, as bronze was also coloured blue and yellow. Making sure of that was Irish rider Alexander Butler and the 15-year-old gelding Ti Amo B Z, a son of Tolan R and Chellano Z bred in the Netherlands by L.C.J. Berben and J.L.J. Berben. Butler and Ti Amo B Z also provided a clear jump-off, but took 43.90 seconds to reach the finish line.

Another notable combination within the four-star competition were van Olst's compatriot Andres Vereecke and the 9-year-old gelding Vanguard Z (Vannan x Baloubet du Rouet - breeder: B.V. Heemskerk & N. De Bruijn). Vereecke and Vanguard Z already started their competition on Wednesday with a ^6th place in the 1.40m class and also ensured a top ranking during the Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday. They stopped the clock in 71.51 seconds after a flawless round, finishing just behind van Olst and Comme Elle Faut ODTH Z in^2nd place.

There were also two top 10 finishes in Hamburg for German rider Marvin Jüngel and the 9-year-old gelding Don Corleone Z, a son of Dominator 2000 Z and Contendro I born in Germany to breeder Joachim Specht. Jüngel and Don Corleone Z got off to a good start on Wednesday with ^5th place in the 1.45m class and ended their competition on Saturday with ^6th place in the 1.40m Speed & Handiness class.

Also qualifying for this jump-off were Christian Ahlmann and our 9-year-old stallion Applebridge Tag Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x VDL Corland - breeder: Evert and Ilse van Gorp), with whom he has already amassed a fine record over the past few months. Ahlmann and Applebridge Tag Z closed this jump-off with ^8th place, confirming their excellent form once again.

Finally, both the German rider Harm Lahde and the 13-year-old grey gelding Echo van Spalbeek Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Cornet's Stern - breeder: Frans Liefsoens) and the Belgian rider Emilie Conter and the 10-year-old mare Kaduna JI Z (Kannan x Querlybet Hero - breeder: Luc & Jules Leemans) managed to win two more prizes. In both the 1.45m class on Wednesday and the 1.50m class on Thursday, Lahde and Echo van Spalbeek Z achieved a ^4th place, while Conter and Kaduna JI Z secured a ^9th place twice in these classes.