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<\/p>\nOperating under strict Covid-19 guidelines\u00a0and protocols, today\u2019s Grand Prix was run without spectators but that did not dampen the riders\u2019 spirits as they turned the jump-off into a real race against the clock.<\/p>\n
Fourteen of the 34 horse-and-rider combinations in the class managed to jump clear rounds over the Grand Prix track designed by Elena Boix (ESP), to move on to the jump-off. Against the clock, it was Donald Whitaker (GBR) that set the first clear in a fast time of 36.97 seconds aboard Atevla (Rissoa d’AG Bois Margot x Lagardere II). However, as next to go, veteran Michel Hecart (FRA) rode a beautiful, fluent round on Solero MS (Silvio I x Espri) to go into the lead with a time of 36.61 seconds. Three more riders set clear rounds, but none of them could catch up with Hecart until Saturday\u2019s ranking class winners Remco Been and Holland vd Bisschop (Heartbreaker x Libero H) gave it a shot. The pair came flying into the last oxer, but made it to the other side and slotted into pole position in 36.13 seconds.<\/p>\n
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A few riders later, Darragh Kenny (IRL) showed everyone why he is considered one of the fastest riders in the world when going flat out with Belo Horizonte (Baloubet du Rouet x Clearway) to bring the time down to an unbelievable 34.29 seconds. Kenny\u2019s time looked nearly impossible to beat, but as next to go in-form Richard Vogel (GER) proved that theory wrong when putting the 12-year-old gelding Diego (Colman x Guidam) in top gear to stop the clock at 34.19 seconds. Vogel\u2019s performance turned out to be the winning one, as neither of the two last riders stood a chance to beat the 23-year-old that has been unstoppable over the last few months.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was obviously a good day,\u201d said Vogel \u2013 who has recorded no less than six victories during his first week in Oliva, including today\u2019s Grand Prix and Friday\u2019s world ranking class. \u201cDiego only jumped a 1.30 class earlier this week, so he was super fresh and motivated today \u2013 and really fought for me!\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n\u201cIt\u2019s only my third show with Diego,\u201d Vogel explained. \u201cHe is owned by Nicola Pohl and I got the ride on him\u00a0when I moved to\u00a0Dagoberthausen. Diego\u00a0is super simple, and\u00a0the kind of horse that wants to a good job for his rider. I am lucky to ride him\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole team from Dagoberthausen is here, David Will, Nicola and me,\u201d Vogel continued. \u201cWe are all really motivated and have a great atmosphere in between us. It has been going really well for us so far; Nicola was also double clear in the Grand Prix today and has been\u00a0placed in the ranking classes, David was in the jump-off today too \u2013 so the team is doing good!\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really wanted to come\u00a0here to the Autumn MET\u00a0to bring our horses\u00a0along,\u00a0as well as to give\u00a0the older ones\u00a0the chance to be competitive in the bigger classes. The facilities are great here and the weather is super. There is not so much you can improve in this place!\u201d Vogel concluded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n