Int. Festhallen Turnier Frankfurt (GER): Gert-Jan Bruggink claims victory in the Hesse Grand Prix

23 Dec 2013

It was nail-biting to the last second in the Frankfurt Festhalle,
as all eyes were on the decider of the Hesse Grand Prix, presented by the
Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG. It all came down to hundredths of seconds, and
Dutchman Gert-Jan Bruggink was just a hair’s breadth ahead with Primeval Dejavu
as the curtain fell. Just three hundredths of a second separated him from
runner-up Marcus Ehning from Borken with Sabrina.

Gert-Jan Bruggink and Primeval Dejavu – photo by Karl-Heinz Frieler

“Now I’ve got a bit of Christmas money to spend and I can go shopping on
Monday,” said Bruggink with a twinkle in his eye. With the help of his
nine-year-old Belgian gelding, Bruggink did just what was needed in the jump-off
of the most valuable test (worth 75,000 euros in prize money). In fact, his
small-yet-crucial lead ahead of Marcus Ehning netted him an extra 18,750 euros.
A total of eight candidates managed the leap into the jump-off, including three
riders from the Ehning Stables in Borken. Riding alongside figurehead Marcus
Ehning were Swedish trainer Nicole Persson with Quante (5th) and Johannes Ehning
with Salvador V (8th). All very satisfying for the most famous member of the
riding dynasty.

Third place went to Dutchman Jeroen Dubbeldam with Zenith SFN. Until then, as
2000 Olympic champion Dubbeldam put it, “my trainer had taken care of the
finances…”. The boss must have felt very pleased to have played his own part
in swelling the coffers considerably. “I’m really very proud of Sjaak,” said
Dubbeldam. 21 year-old Sjaak Sleiderink won the international opening jumping.

“I believe we’ve seen some seriously exciting sport”, concluded Paul
Schockemöhle, “and the spectators thought so too.” There was not a single empty
seat until the final spectacular competition in Frankfurt had finished. Earlier,
the international showjumpers had presented their seven and eight-year-old
horses in the LOTTO-Hessen Prize, the final of the Youngster Tour. This title
went to the 2012 German Master of the Year. Marc Bettinger, who lives in
Belgium, presented his exceptionally good-natured and speedy horse Quickley, who
obviously takes his name very seriously. Quickley is eight years old. In second
place was Marcus Ehning with Westphalian stallion Comme il faut.

Before the showjumpers took their turn in the Festhalle, several young artists
were honoured. Their colourful exhibits ensured that the course for the Hesse
Grand Prix was truly eye-catching. Five of the fences were designed by children
from the Frankfurt Care Facility and the young artists were also invited to the
presentation ceremony. Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Paul Schockemöhle promptly
found themselves surrounded by droves of excited, chattering children. The
competition has an impressive sum of prize money attached to it: A total of
around 10,000 euros is up for grabs. The children spent weeks meticulously
designing the obstacles.

The 43rd International Frankfurt Festhallen Riding Tournament will take place
from 18th to 21st December 2014.

Results – International Festhalle Riding Tournament, Sunday

11 International two-phase showjumping (1.25 m), international SML Tour for
amateurs – Medium – Final:

1. Gabriela Thoma (Allschwill), L.B.Porter, 0.00/26.42 penalties/ time;

2. Rebecca Pohl (Porta Westfalica), Brianne TN, 0.00/27.59;

3. Patrick Mielnik (Zimmern), Cendo, 0.00/29.50;

4. Svenja Herz (Norderstedt), Conchi Q, 0.00/30.29;

5. Ralph Wiebelt (Kaiserslautern), Quincy 136, 0.00/30.36;

6. Svenja Herz (Norderstedt), Tender 13, 0.00/30.84

14 International two-phase showjumping (1.40 m), international SML Tour for
amateurs – Large – Final:

1. Dominik Schäfers (Ense), Luke 120, 0.00/26.12 penalties/ time;

2. Susanne Steiger (Kerpen), Filippa 13, 0.00/28.86;

3. Udo Kloetzel (Limburg), Ex escudo orior, 0.00/29.33;

4. Svenja Herz (Norderstedt), Alicia SN, 0.00/29.80;

5. Ralph Wiebelt (Kaiserslautern), Bellini 46, 0.00/30.11;

6. Kordula Christea (Münchhausen), Lady Vicktoria, 0.00/30.12

19 Young Horse Grand Prix (FN) – Final, Louisdor Prize – Final 2013:

1. Brigitte Wittig (Rahden), Balmoral W, 73.894%;

2. Nadine Capellmann (Würselen), Dark Dynamic, 70.936%;

3. Helen Langehanenberg (Billerbeck), Rohjuwel OLD, 69.000%;

4. Stefanie Weihermüller (Bayreuth), Wunderkind 9, 68.404%;

5. Marion Wiebusch (Hasbergen), So Nice 2, 66.298%;

6. Johanna von Fircks (Bad Zwischenahn), Nymphenburg’s Oligarch, 65.596%

17 . Grand Prix Freestyle, qualification for MEGGLE Champions:

1. Valentina Truppa (Italy), Fixdesign Eremo Del Castegno, 79.475%;

2. Marcela Krinke-Susmelj (Switzerland), Smeyers Lazander, 75.000%;

3. Jenny Lang (Karlsruhe), Loverboy 26, 74.200%;

4. Alexandra Barbancon Mestre (Spain), Don Lorean, 71.250%;

5. Nadine Capellmann (Würselen), Girasol 7, 70.700%;

6. Lotje Schoots (Netherlands), Equitop Torricelli LS, 70.300%

8 International two-phase showjumping (1.40/1.45 m) for 7- and 8-year-old
horses, LOTTO Hessen Prize – Final of the Youngster Tour:

1. Marc Bettinger (Remouchamps), Quickley 3, 0.00/24.41 penalties/ time;

2. Marcus Ehning (Borken), Comme il faut 5, 0.00/25.53;

3. Sören Pedersen (Denmark), Tailormade Confidence, 0.00/25.57;

4. Katrin Eckermann (Kranenburg), Que Sera 30, 0.00/25.84;

5. Kristaps Neretnieks (Latvia), Con Pleasure 4, 0.00/25.95;

6. Willem Greve (Netherlands), Brainpower, 0.00/27.20

5 International world-ranking showjumping (1.55 m) with jump-off, Hesse Grand
Prix, presented by the Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG:

1. Gert-Jan Bruggink (Netherlands), Primeval Dejavu, 0.00/33.35 penalties/
time;

2. Marcus Ehning (Borken), Sabrina 327, 0.00/33.38;

3. Jeroen Dubbeldam (Netherlands), Zenith SFN, 0.00/34.91;

4. Jan Sprehe (Cloppenburg), Areno 5, 0.00/36.50;

5. Nicole Persson (Sweden), Quante 2, 0.00/36.82;

6. Jos Lansink (Belgium), Ensor de Litrange LXII, 0.00/38.04

Source: comtainment