Germany’s Felix Hassmann came out on top in a thrilling 15-combination jump-off to take glory in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ event in Poznan, Poland.
Hassmann and Sig Chaccinus put in a stunning performance to take first place at Cavaliada, with the home nation’s Mateusz Tyszko and Zirocco Air and the Netherlands’ Loewie Joppen and Hantano also in the top three.
It was second win of 2021 so far for Hassmann and his 12-year-old bay gelding, Sig Chaccinus, while they also made the podium in Salzburg last month.
It’s no surprise that 35-year-old Hassmann is delighted with their form!
“This year couldn’t start any better,” he said. “Simply a champion in Opglabbeek and now in the CSIW2* 140-160 in Cavaliada.
“My horse jumped great. He is in great shape!”
With 15 pairs progressing from 58 starters, the fight for jump-off victory was fierce.
German Hassmann and SIG Chaccinus dashed around the Poznan course in a super-fast time of 39.73 seconds early in the jump-off. Pair after pair tried but could not outsprint them.
Poland’s Aleksandra Kierznowska did go faster – 39.49 – but that speed was accompanied by a penalty.
Only eight pairs went double clear, including two Polish ones: Tyszko with Zirocco Air and Dawid Kubiak with Flash Blue B. Tyszko ultimately finished second on his Holsteiner Zirocco Air with a clear round in 41.15 seconds. Joppen was just behind with the nine-year-old Hantano.
“It was a fantastic day,” added Hassmann, who secured his third win in Cavaliada after triumphs in 2018 and 2019.
“The course was big enough, 25% were clear. In the jump-off I had to try everything, and in the end it went very good for me.
“I don’t have a plan for the next weeks yet, maybe I’ll go to Kraków. For sure, I’ll visit Cavaliada next year.”
The 2021 Central European League Final is scheduled to take place in Kraków from March 11-14… (FEI)