It was the highlight of the Agria Oslo Horse Show: The first World Cup stage of the Western European League this season could hardly have been more exciting. As the first starter, Harry Smolders and his partner Monaco had conjured up a dream round in the course and proved that the Holsteiner by Cassini II is far from being a „old iron“. Eight more pairs were supposed to join the Dutchman in the competition. Among them were the 2022 world champions Henrik von Eckermann and Kind Edward (v. Edward), as well as from a German perspective Janne Friederike Meyer- Zimmermann with her Cellagon Cascais (v. Colestus).
Smolders put the competition under serious pressure with another dream round and the chosen inner lane for the final jump with a time of 41.51 seconds at the start of the competition. Martin Fuchs and his Fortjump du Beaumenil (v. Cornet Obolensky) came closest to this record time with 41.53 seconds. And Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann also delivered a flawless round with Cellagon Cascais at his first 5* Hall Championship and the first World Cup stage. Janne was then also very proud of the great performance of her partner, who is growing ever better into this top level. The two were rewarded with a strong fourth place finish at the end.
However, another rider secured the victory: Max Kühner and his 15-year-old EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (v. Chacco-Blue) went on the attack and set a new best time, which they were able to beat with an even tighter time at the final jump: 40.52 seconds was the result on the scoreboard, which was the victory for Kühner and again second place for Harry Smolders and his Monaco ahead of Martin Fuchs and Janne Meyer.
„I knew that I could only make good time in the turns with Harry. Fortunately, that worked today,“ Max Kühner said in an interview, who is now looking forward to the next World Cup stages in Verona and Stuttgart.
Fifth place was awarded twice: Henrik von Eckermann with King Edward had the same time in the steeplechase with 43.00 seconds, as the Belgian Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui on Oscar the Homage (v. Quint vh Maarlo Z).
Also still in the money with a net roller in the running were Paula de Boer-Schwarz and My Miss Marple OLD (v. Mylord Carthago) in 13th place.
The whole result: HERE