Deusser, riding the Stephex Stables owned Equita van het Zorgvliet, was one of 19 competitors who successfully navigated the first round to go into the jump-off. Ben Maher riding Boomerang set the early target, with a second clear round in a time of 40 seconds, and despite the best efforts of the many who followed him into the arena, no one could come close to this quick pace.

But this competition included many of the top riders in the world, and as the final three combinations lined up to enter the arena, Maher must have known that his time would be under threat. It was the Frenchman, Philippe Rozier riding Rahotep de Toscane, who showed that 40 seconds could be beaten when he posted a blistering clear round in 39.39 seconds. He was followed by Deusser, who had already enjoyed success on the Friday afternoon when he won the 1.50m class aboard Equita van het Zorgvliet, and the in-form partnership posted a time of 39.32 seconds to race into first place.

It was left to the last remaining horse and rider combination to enter the ring to knock Deusser off the top spot, but despite going clear aboard the magnificent bay gelding Nino des Buissonnets, the reigning Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat could only manage a time of 39.96, and had to settle for third place.

This is a remarkable win at 5* level for Equita van het Zorgvliet, who a year ago won her first 3* Grand Prix when ridden by Jonna Ekberg for the Stephex Stables. Deusser took over the riding duties on Equita only two months ago, with the plan to campaign the horse at 5* level throughout the summer. Following good showings at Saint Tropez, Cannes and Rotterdam, this is the first victory at 5* level, and has all the signs of being a partnership to watch for the future.

Speaking after his victory, Deusser said, “As a rider you are always hoping for a result like this, but you don’t even dare to dream of it. This victory is the perfect finish of a perfect show. Even if I am part of the Stephex team I have to congratulate all the team for what they are doing. It is only the second edition but looks already like one of the best shows in the world.”

And commenting about his plans for the future, Steve Guerdat said, “It was my last big Grand Prix before the Olympics with Nino, he will maybe do a small show before, but I am really happy and he looks in a really great shape.” He also added his praise to the organisers of the Knokke Hippique, “Congratulations to Stephan (Conter) and his team plus all the sponsors for such an amazing show.”

This is only the second edition of Knokke Hippique but with the show offering over €570,000 prize money and able to attract many of the world’s Top 10 riders including six Olympic gold medallists, it has quickly established itself as one of the top CSI5* events of the summer.

The second show of the year to be organised by the Stephex team, the Brussels Stephex Masters, will take place from 31 August to 4 September – for further information please visit http://stephexmasters.com/

ENDS

For copyright free pictures please download from: https://we.tl/KaVJdnSDQO All pictures ©Scoopdyga

For further information, please contact: press@stephex.com or Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 207 592 1207

Premier AA Hunter Competition Showcases Top Performances Throughout the Week 

For Immediate Release

Mill Spring, NC – July 3, 2016 – Eugenio Garza of Wellington, FL, and Armani SL Z finished a beautiful double clear effort in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix to conclude Tryon Summer I competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Sunday, July 3. The pair secured the win with a time of 37.577 seconds in the jump-off round, while Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT, piloted both of her mounts to second and third place respectively. Toscane De L’Isle captured second place, finishing two seconds behind Garza in 39.728 seconds, while Lakvels picked up third place, crossing through the timers in 42.415 seconds. Competition at TIEC resumes on Wednesday, July 6, with the start of Tryon Summer II.

Garza, a rising star who competes internationally for the nation of Mexico, and Armani SL Z are gaining experience together and have earned multiple top place finishes during their spring travels together. As one of two talented eight-year-old mounts in Garza’s string, Armani SL Z  is one of the nicest horses in the barn, according to Garza.

“Armani is the oldest son of the Asca Z and we’ve been building him up with my trainer Eddie Macken for a year and a half now,” he explained. “We’ve been waiting a year to do this type of class with this horse. He’s easily the most special we have right now and is one of the nicest horses I’ve ever sat on in my life.”

Eugenio Garza and Armani SL Z

Armani SL Z, a flashy grey 2008 Zangersheide stallion by Asca Z, is an eye-catching ride, who Garza competes with a confidence and poise well beyond his years. The duo are just solidifying their relationship at the top levels of the sport, but have immense potential. Garza explained their progress with Armani over the course of the past year and also noted that the raw talent of the stallion is something he’s never seen before.

“I really don’t think he has any weaknesses. He’s an unbelievable horse. It’s so fun to improve and learn on a horse like this and I’m hopeful that our streak continues,” he added.

The course, which was set big and took a forward ride, suited Armani SL Z and Garza, who found the technical questions beneficial to their growing competition experience together.

“I’ve know Oscar Soberon since I started riding in Mexico eight or nine years ago. He always builds amazing,” he detailed. “The course had a lot of challenges and he’s been right on the time all week so I knew that it would be tough. It was big enough and had a couple of interesting questions around the course.”

Emanuel Andrade and Contenders XC take top honors in the $10,000 High Junior/ Amateur Owner Jumper Classic presented by Asheville Regional Airport.

Careful and attentive to not push the stallion too far so early in his career, Garza tactfully rode with the goal of gaining valuable competition experience, but also begin testing their ability to secure a quick and efficient jump-off round.

“I wanted to give him a good rhythm, especially with regard to the time. It was a very fun course to ride and I thought he did very well,” he noted.

Entering the ring after Sydney Shulman, who finished in second and third place in the class, Garza found areas around the course where he felt he could make up the time and ultimately secure the win. He explained, “I saw Syd go on her first horse and she rode a beautiful trip that was smooth and efficient. I thought it was a really fast time and when I went in, I really honestly gave it all that I had with Armani as much as I felt comfortable with.”

“I’m really looking to building up our horses here for the next four weeks. It’s nice to be consistent with a venue and give each horse the time they need,” he detailed. “With my two experienced mounts, Empire and Bariano, we want to do well in the grand prix classes here. We’ve had a great summer so far and we hope to continue that looking forward.”

Alexandra Duval and XM on their way to taking the $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic presented by Ariat.

The $10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic presented by Asheville Regional Airport saw Emanuel Andrade and his own Contenders XC take top honors, finishing the jump-off in 36.651 seconds for first place. The pair edged Nicole Loochtan and her own Carla de Kalvarie Z, who dashed through the timers in 34.384 seconds, but finished with four faults, to place second. Victoria Karam, who owns and competes New Life HM, collected third place, dropping a rail in the jump-off and finishing with a time of 38.171 seconds.

Alexandra Duval of Wellington, FL, and her own XM earned victory in the $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic presented by Ariat with a time of 34.015 seconds. Kady Abrahamson of Loveland, OH, and Icebreaker, owned by Abrahamson Equestrian LLC, finished in second, securing a time of 34.24 seconds, while Sabischy Hassler of Wellington, FL, and her own Good Boy HM rounded out the top three, stopping the clock in 34.521 seconds.

Premier AA Hunter Competition Showcases Top Performances Throughout the Week

Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC, and Lionsgate, owned by Roy Wilten, earned the victory in the $10,000 Pre-Green Classic, finishing with a final score of 164, while Morgane Qualls of Murphreesboro, TN, and Lookalike, owned by Sandalwood Farms, took second place with a final score of 162. Sophie Simpson of Wellington, FL, and Haiku, owned by Sorensen Stables, collected a third place in the class, which saw 13 total entries.

Soon To Be, owned by Jennifer Smith, and ridden by Jennifer Hannan of Wakefield, RI, sat atop the class in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, receiving a two round score of 176 for the win. Blythe Marano of Franklin, TN, and Fondant, owned by Virginia Ingram, earned a 172 to finish in second place, while Jennifer Smith of Wellington, FL, piloted her own Commodore to a respectable third place finish with a score of 168.

The $1,000 Junior Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Combined Classic saw Summer Hill and Eclypse, owned by Holly Orlando, lead the class with a two round score of 169. Cecilia D’Amore of Gastonia, NC, guided her own Vintage to a second place finish, receiving a 169, while Marion Scott Head of Brownsboro, AL, and her own Khan collected a total score of 160 from the judges to take third place.

Lynn Seithel of Johns Island, SC, and her own Walk The Moon championed the $1,000 Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Combined Classic with a score of 170. Missy Yoder of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and her own Too Much Fun collected second place with a score of 167, while Seithel also earned third place aboard her own Walk The Line with a two round score of 164.

For more information on TIEC and to see a full list of results please visit www.tryon.com.

Final Results $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix

1. ARMANI SL Z, 2008 Zangersheide stallion by Asca Z x Cumlaude Z

EUGENIO GARZA, El Milagro: 0/0/37.577

2. TOSCANE DE L’ISLE, 2007 Selle Francais mare by Mylord Carthago x Farandole Violaine

SYDNEY SHULMAN, Jill Shulman: 0/0/39.728

3. LAKVELS, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by Lagerfeld x Kadeta

SYDNEY SHULMAN, Jill Shulman: 0/0/42.415

4. LORO PIANA BALLYLECK ROYALE, 2003 Irish Sporthorse gelding by Royale Touch

ALMA BJORKLUND, Alma Bjorklund: 0/4/39.722

5. WHY NOT, 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare by Hors La Loi II x Kelly

SOPHIE SIMPSON, Simpson Show Jumping: 4/71.589

6. WALTER 61, 2002 Sachen Warmblood gelding by Werenfels x Fortuna II

EMANUEL ANDRADE, Emanuel Andrade: 4/72.823

7. ANICMO, 2004 Warmblood gelding by Amantus x Hauptstutbuch

PAIGE JARDINE, Paige Jardine: 4/73.294

8. BAMIRO, 2001 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Heartbreaker x Quamira

KADY ABRAHAMSON, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 4/76.658

9. ORIENTALES, 2002 Selle Francais mare by Rox de la Touche x Esquisse d’Allu

SIMA MORGELLO, Double S Farm, LLC: 4/76.687

10. NENUPHAR’JAC, 2001 Selle Francais gelding by Cumano x Anemone du Col

MARK BLUMAN, Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc: 4/77.26

11. VENUS, 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Pascha W

FABIO ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, Raylyn Farms: 4/80.245

12. QUINTUS FABIUS, 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Quality x Lady P

LUIS LARRAZABAL, Isabela Pacanins: 8/71.116

Photo Credit ©LizCrawleyPhotography. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release.

Considered by many to be the most breathtaking equestrian show in the world, CHIO Aachen attracts a record attendance of passionate supporters, with over 400,000 spectators across 10 days of exhilarating competition.

CHIO Aachen offers competition in five equestrian disciplines, including show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving and vaulting, with the Rolex Grand Prix, the highlight of the competition, on Sunday 17 July.

Designed by the legendary course designer Frank Rothenberger, the course for the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen is widely acknowledged as one of the most demanding for equine athletes, testing horses and riders to the limit of their skill and talent. Crowds in excess of 40,000 are expected to watch Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat tackle this challenge and attempt to maintain his position as the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOW JUMPING
Created jointly in 2013 by CHIO Aachen, CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ and CHI Geneva, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping rewards the rider who wins the Grand Prix at each of the shows, amounting to three Grands Prix in succession.

The Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen, has been won by some of the most famous names in the sport, including father and son team Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa, alongside Rodrigo’s fellow Rolex Testimonees, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Eric Lamaze and Scott Brash. The year 2015 was momentous for the international world of show jumping, as Brash won the pinnacle of equestrian sporting achievement. Aachen was the second Major in his path to writing history, before lifting the prestigious trophy in the atmospheric grass arena at Spruce Meadows.

This year all eyes will be focused on leading Swiss rider and current Olympic champion Steve Guerdat, who is following in the footsteps of Brash by winning at CHI Geneva in December 2015. Guerdat will be looking to continue his quest in challenging for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping at Aachen to firmly establish his own place, alongside Brash, in the ranks of equestrian legends.

EQUESTRIAN TESTIMONEES SET TO COMPETE AT AACHEN
To be the very best, an athlete must be able to deliver repeatedly under pressure. As the world’s leading makers of timepieces, this is something Rolex understands perfectly.

Rolex has developed particularly close partnerships with a handful of the very best riders in the world – its equestrian Testimonees. These men and women are notable not only for their exceptionally high levels of achievement, but also for the virtues of horsemanship and sportsmanship.

They must be patient and persistent, as well as courageous, resilient and quick thinking. It is these qualities that turn a rider into a horseman, qualities found at the heart of every Rolex Testimonee.

Many of Rolex’s Testimonees are set to return with their leading horses this year, to compete for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Two-time individual gold medal winner and Canadian sporting hero Eric Lamaze will be ready to challenge Guerdat. Having won the Rolex title here in 2010, he will be hungry for further success. Rolex Testimonee Scott Brash is expected to return in 2016 to defend his Rolex Grand Prix title, alongside the ‘first lady’ of German show jumping Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who will be looking to repeat her 2005 victory at Aachen.

Kent Farrington will be eager to continue his winning form at the end of 2015, with victory in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final at CHI Geneva. Rolex’s youngest Testimonee, Bertram Allen, French rider Kevin Staut and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa have also all entered their world class horses to compete for the esteemed Rolex Grand Prix trophy.

Rolex’s iconic dressage Testimonee, the World and Olympic gold medallist Isabell Werth has won Aachen’s dressage Grand Prix a breathtaking 11 times, and is set to return again in 2016 to compete in the magnificent 20,000 seater Deutsche Bank stadium.

AN OPENING CEREMONY LIKE NO OTHER
Rolex has sponsored the Grand Prix at Aachen since 1999 and are proud to continue their enduring partnership with this iconic and emblematic event.

More than 160 horses and around 500 active participants are expected in the impressive main stadium on 12th July for the official opening ceremony. There will be plenty of surprises, spectacular stunts and impressive show elements in the fascinating floodlit atmosphere of the stadium that holds a crowd of 40,000. “Forget everything you know about the CHIO Aachen opening ceremonies to-date. This year’s ceremony will be better than ever”, said Show Director Frank Kemperman.

ROLEX’S EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE
Rolex’s support of show jumping dates back more than half a century. The prestigious Swiss watch brand’s close and long-standing association with equestrianism demonstrates its appreciation of a domain in which fair play, equality, horsemanship and tradition highlight superior skill, accuracy and achievement.

From Pat Smythe, the greatest female show jumper ever to represent Britain and Rolex’s first equestrian Testimonee in 1957, to Scott Brash, the only rider in history to win three consecutive Majors in the Grand Slam in September 2015, Rolex continues to support riders in the three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, all of which demonstrate qualities of excellence and perfection.

Rolex, the leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, is headquartered in Geneva and enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history.

A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces all the essential components of its watches in-house, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic programmes.

www.rolex.com

ROLEX EQUESTRIANISM PRESS ROOM 

Copyright free high resolution images are available for editorial use in the Press Room

https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports-and-culture/partnership-activities/rolex-and-equestrianism/rolex-and-equestrianism.html 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0)22 302 2619

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 (0)7770 647 662

2010 Eric Lamaze (CAN), Hickstead

2009 Denis Lynch (IRL), Lantinus

2008 Albert Zoer (NED), Sam

2007 Elizabeth Madden (USA), Authentic

2006 Marcus Ehning (GER), N. Kuchengirl

2005 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Shutterfly

*Names in bold denote Rolex equestrian Testimonees