The CSIO3* 1.55m Big Tour presented by Szerencsejáték Zrt. was a Grand Prix and World Cup competition with a single jump-off.For the field of 55 riders the time allowed was 76 seconds on the course designed by Portuguese course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral which contained 13 obstacles with several combinations.
Out of the first half of the field seven riders delivered clear rounds:
- Ierdita Hessel Hoekstra (NED)
- Max Kühner – EIC Anton SBK Z (AUT)
- Joana Schildknecht – Catrina J (SUI)
- Bruno Chimirri – Samara (ITA)
- Andrea Herck – Epsilon de Roulard (ROU)
- Sara Vingralkova – Naila v’t Merelsnest (CZE)
- Alexa Stais – Chad Blue PS (CYP)
Hungarian riders could not make the jump-off as Péter Szuhai on Casino Royal Z did not touch any planks but was over the allowed time. Tamás Mráz and Viva Cent finished with one fault, Zoltán Dr. Lázár and Diablo with two faults and a slight time overrun.
After the break, five riders scored clear rounds: Austrian Katharina Rhomberg on Cuma 5, Slovak Bronislav Chudyba on Statis Conti, German Jörne Sprehe on Hickstead White, Hungarian Gábor Szabó, Jnr. on Mezőhegyes Chabala, and other home rider Vince Jármy on JB Koronaőr.
Three more Hungarian pairs – Tamás Dömse on Conquistador 4, István Máté on Filuchi, and Ferenc Szentirmai on Quandro Blue PS – started after the break but they could not make to jump-off either.
In the jump-off the riders had to overcome seven obstacles. Italian Olympic rider Bruno Chimirri and his mare Samara delivered the first clear round followed by Gábor Szabó, Jnr. on Mezőhegyes Chabala, but he was slower than the Italian rider.
The next starter was Hungarian horse and rider pair, Vince Jármy and JB Koronaőr. They scored a perfect speedy round and took the lead. The favourite Jörne Sprehe made four faults, so the public witnessed a long-awaited Hungarian victory in the CSIO Grand Prix at the National Riding Hall. Gábor Szabó, Jnr.who had won the Grand Prix three times before, finished third.
The final result:
- 1st Jármy Vince – JB Koronaőr
- 2nd Bruno Chimirri – Samara (ITA)
- 3. Gábor Szabó – Mezőhegyes Chabala
- 4. Hessel Hoekstra – Ierdita (NED)
- 5. Jörne Sprehe – Hickstead White (GER)
- 6. Alexa Stais – Chad Blue PS (CYP)
- 7. Bronislav Chudyba – Statis Conti (SVK)
Zsófia Bánhidi congratulated the riders on behalf of the main sponsor of the competition, Szerencsejáték Zrt.Vilmos Lázár, president of the Hungarian Equestrian Federation, Melinda Schlezák, president of the jury and Jean-Paul Quintin, French member of the jury, congratulated the winners. The total prize money for the competition was €60.000.
The Zsolnay Porcelain Manufactory’s masterpieces, specially made for this occasion, were presented to the podium winners by the owner of the manufactory, Bachar Najari.
Vince Jármy said that he was very happy and felt very special. He thanked his horse, his parents, his family and his fans.
Photo: CSIO Budapest / Krisztina Hajdu