European champion André Thieme won the grand prize at the end of the international Maimarkt horse show in Mannheim.
The 47-year-old show jumper was unbeatable in the jump-off on the European Championship mare Chakaria. Thieme rode to victory with a lead of almost two seconds (0/37.44 seconds).
Second was Jörne Sprehe from Fürth on Hot Easy (0/39.17 seconds). Austria’s Julia Houtzager-Kayser takes third place on High Five (0/40.20).
“It worked the second time I started in Mannheim,” said Thieme. “My horse has now had a break for six weeks after my Florida tour.” He was in the US for several months at the beginning of the year.
The 58th edition of the tournament was overshadowed by an accident. Pia Reich and her gelding PB Maserati had such an unfortunate fall that the fragmented fracture on the animal’s elbow led to an irreparable injury.
“Unfortunately, the horse could not be saved, so that after consultation with the owner and rider, it had to be euthanized in order to spare it pain and suffering,” explained veterinarian Kuno von Plocki.