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<\/p>\nThe start field in Sunday\u2019s Grand Prix was strong \u2013 not only in numbers, with 57 horse-and-rider combinations lining up \u2013 but also with names such as Switzerland\u2019s Steve Guerdat \u2013 2012 Olympic Champion and current world number one \u2013\u00a0as well as Sweden\u2019s Peder Fredricson \u2013 2017 European Champion, 2016 Olympic silver medallist and current world no. four \u2013 among those on the start list. The course set by\u00a0Elio Travagliati (ITA) reflected the quality of the horses and riders and only four pairs managed to clear the first round to join the deciding jump-off:\u00a0Penelope Leprevost (FRA) on\u00a0Vancouver de Lanlore (Toulon x Le Tot de Semilly),\u00a0Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) on Chesmu KJ (Cornet Obolensky x Calido I), Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Jonka-A (Cardento x Chin Chin) and\u00a0Christian Kukuk (GER) on Checker 47 (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come on).<\/p>\n
First to go in the jump-off, Leprevost set the standard when stopping the clocks on 39.01 but was instantly overtaken by Meyer-Zimmermann and Chesmu KJ after the pair clocked a time of 38.81. However, Guerdat and Jonka-A shaved off over a second on that time \u2013 leaving Kukuk with a lot of pressure as last to go. With a daring turn to the penultimate vertical, the German managed to clock a time of 36.60, taking home the win and pushing Guerdat to second, Meyer-Zimmermann to third and Leprevost to fourth.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI was lucky to be the last to go,\u201d Kukuk commented afterwards. \u201cI saw how everyone before me jumped clear and went faster and faster, so going in I knew there was only one thing to do: If I wanted to win, I had to give everything and we did. When Steve is in the lead, you know there are no other\u00a0options. I got a good angle to the double and when I landed, I saw a distance to the next fence,\u201d he explained about his daredevil turn. \u201cChecker has such a good head, and he is always fighting for me. For sure it was a big risk to take, but if you want to win, you have to try.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom he was four-years-old, Checker was stabled at Otto Becker\u2019s,\u201d Kukuk said about his now 11-year-old winning mount. \u201cI got him at the beginning of November, and this is my fifth show with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kukuk believes that having some of the world\u2019s best riders and many championship horses present in Oliva Nova reflected on the difficulty of today\u2019s course. \u201cThe course was very tough today,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt was maximum height and width, and the distances were half so you could leave out a stride or add. Especially the distance to the triple combination was difficult for many and caused a lot of problems. It was tough all over: I was not surprised that we only saw four clear rounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kukuk is a first timer in Oliva Nova, and is happy he came. \u201cI have seven horses here and the weather makes such a difference. We have top conditions with good grounds, big rings, lots of space \u2013 my whole team likes it. I feel secure here: The organisers are very strict with their Covid-19 policy and they do everything they can to keep everyone safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n