Gregory Wathelet wins Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Leipzig

Riding a new horse Coree, Wathelet chased down the time of eventual runner-up Kevin Staut of France to claim maximum points and move into the top ten on the qualification table. With a lot of exciting young German talent on show in Leipzig, last year’s surprise winner at this fixture, 23-year-old Niklas Krieg underlined his up and coming talent by finishing third riding Carella.

The Partner Pferde fixture in the Leipziger Messe saw 40 horse-and-rider combinations from 15 countries come forward to tackle the course designed by Germany’s Frank Rothenberger. Sixteen combinations – including seven home riders – qualified for the jump-off round of which 21-year-old Guido Klatte set the pace on Qinghai with a clear round in 44.90 seconds.

Compatriot Markus Brinkmann bettered that when posting 44.47 seconds on Pikeur Dylon but then Krieg and Carella went flying through the finish in 43.76 seconds to go well out in front.

Staut and his Olympic team gold medal winning ride Reveur de Hurtebise HDC then bettered that effort going clear in 41.94 seconds, however Wathelet and Coree were then to come out on top. As the third-last combination to go in the jump-off, the pair went round clear and 0.17 seconds quicker in a time of 41.77 seconds to take the honours.

Maximum points for Wathelet earns him a spot in the top ten of the Western European League table, which continues to be led by Staut who has now established a bigger lead ahead of his nearest rival, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca. Following a fine consistent season to date, the French rider’s total of 78 points means he is the undisputed league leader with only three qualifying events to go and a serious contender for the 2017 Longines Final in Omaha, Nebraska, USA in March.

The three remaining legs of the Western European League are in Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday 29 January, before Bordeaux, France on Saturday 4 February and Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday 26 February.
Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2016/2017 Western European League
Result – Round 10 in Leipzig, Germany

1. Coree (Gregory Wathelet) Belgium 0/0 faults 41.77 seconds
2. Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) France 0/0 41.94
3. Carella (Niklas Krieg) Germany 0/0 43.76
4. Casello (Ludger Beerbaum) Germany 0/0 44.22
5. Pikeur Dylon (Markus Brinkmann) Germany 0/0 44.47
6. Cato (Markus Renzel) Germany 0/0 44.76
7. Qinghai (Guido Klatte) Germany 0/0 44.90
8. Clooney (Martin Fuchs) Switzerland 0/0 45.37
9. Chardonnay (Max Kuhner) Austria 0/0 50.76
10. Espoir (Pieter Devos) Belgium 0/4 42.55
11. Sydney Une Prince (Roger Yves Bost) France 0/4 42.69
12. Mary Lou (Henrik von Ackermann) Sweden 0/4 44.02
13. Chacco’s Son (Maurice Tebbel) Germany 0/4 45.83
14. Chesall Zimequest (Simon Délestre) France 0/4 56.82
15. Charleville (Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen) Norway 0/8 42.72
16. Equita van T Zorgvliet (Daniel Deusser) Germany 0/8 43.48

Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2016/2017 Western European League
Standings after Round 10 in Leipzig, Germany

1. Kevin Staut France 78 points
2. Lorenzo de Luca Italy 60
3. Denis Lynch Ireland 45
4. Steve Guerdat Switzerland 44
5. Romain Duguet Switzerland 43
6. Marcus Ehning Germany 41
7. Ludger Beerbaum Germany 41
8. Henrik von Eckermann Sweden 39
9. Martin Fuchs Switzerland 38
10. Gregory Wathelet Belgium 37