Riding: Nieberg wins the Grand Prix of Hamburg | NDR.de – Sports

For the first time since 2008, the 300,000 euro competition for the Grand Prix was not part of the Global Champions Tour. The spectators flocked to Derby Park even without the million-dollar series. Around 20,000 came. They saw an exciting decision in which Aachen winner Nieberg triumphed with his gelding Ben with a furious, faultless ride in 46.63 seconds in the jump-off.

The 29-year-old from Sendenhorst was just over half a second faster than Brit Ben Maher with Dallas Vegas Batilly (74.22). Third place went to Irishman Michael Duffy with Che Fantastica (50.64). A total of twelve couples had reached the jump-off, four remained without penalty points in the decisive round.

VIDEO: That was the Grand Prix of Hamburg in Klein Flottbek (92 min)

EM participation in view

Nieberg praised his twelve-year-old gelding: “He jumped really well and gave me a good feeling in normal circulation. That’s why I took a risk.” The win means “a lot” to him, said the CHIO winner, who received 75,000 euros for his success, also with a view to the European Championships in Italy at the end of August/beginning of September: “That is the clear goal and I think that we recommended a bit for it today.”

The son of two-time team Olympic champion Lars Nieberg has been the hope of national coach Otto Becker for the European Championships and Olympics in Paris next year since his triumph in 2022 at the other classic German tournament in Aachen. He’s already been to Hamburg at the Championships on Thursday, as the last starter, he was on course for the best time with no mistakes up to the penultimate obstacle, but then a pole fell and he had to concede victory to Mario Stevens (Molbergen).

Sunday Spring Derby live

The highlight in Klein Flottbek on Sunday (1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. live on NDR and NDR.de; 4:15 p.m. – 5 p.m. live on Erste and on NDR.de) is the 92nd Spring Derby with prize money of 153,000 euros and famous obstacles such as the Wall or Pulverman’s Tomb. Last year’s winner is Cassandra Orschel, who was born in Hamburg and is competing for Poland, on Dacara. The 30-year-old is one of the favorites again this year.

Further information

The European Champion stayed clear with his parade horse Contadur. In the derby, however, he starts with Paule. more

The show jumper from Molbergen prevailed on Ascension Day with the fastest clear ride in the jump-off. more

For the first time since 2008, the Global Champions Tour is no longer a guest in Hamburg. The stars come anyway. The NDR broadcasts live. more