Marco Kutscher won the Longines FEI World Cup leg at Olympia today, producing a stunning double clear onCornet’s Cristallo to take the top prize of €41,000.
First to go
Thirteen out of the 38 starters made it into the jump-off, with British rider Robert Whitaker first to go in the second round.
Robert duly produced a fast clear on Catwalk IV, but his time of 40.49sec was there to be beaten. “Catwalk has been jumping really well at his last few shows, and the course today really suited him,” said Robert.
“But it’s always tight when you’re first to go -I’m sick of being drawn first!” he added, referring to the fact he’s been in pole position to go in a number of classes recently, including the Christmas Tree Stakes at Olympia the day before. “It is a bit annoying, but actually I wouldn’t have changed anything about my round, I was just too slow.”
Eyeing the prize
Luca Maria Moneta was also clear but a few seconds slower on Connery, while David Will proved the time was beatable, but picked up four faults with the pink-nosed Colorit.
Jos Verlooy also faulted, before Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnson and the one-eyed H&M Tornesch took the lead with a clear in 39.70sec.
Last year’s Olympia World Cup winner Maikel Van Der Vleuten faulted, as did Marcus Ehning.
German domination
Then Germany’s Daniel Deusser proved that the time could be bettered while leaving all the fences up, taking the lead on Carriere.
Daniel tried the horse for the first time on the Tuesday before the show, riding her in the morning and loading her on to the lorry for Olympia a few hours later.
But Daniel – who won the FEI World Cup final earlier this year – did not have long to celebrate, as in came compatriot Marco Kutscher. Riding Cornet’s Cristallo, a son of his famous jumping stallion Cornet Obolensky, Marco finished in 37.66sec to take over at the top of the leaderboard.
“I’ve always had a good show in London, so far it hasn’t been great but I knew if I could get into the jump-off tonight we’d have a good chance,” said Marco. “I didn’t have a perfect jump off – he can turn as tight as possible when he is focused, but I got in too deep and close to the double so he helped me out.”
Closing rounds
Constant van Paesschen, the Belgium rider who has been jumping well all week at Olympia, was looking fast in the jump-off but things started to unravel and he ended on 12 faults with Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte.
Bertram Allen, who is just 19 years old and is enjoying a fantastic run of success this season, looked incredibly speedy but the penultimate fence, the H&M upright, caught them out, denying them victory.
Hopes with a British victory lay with John Whitaker – drawn last, while his son Robert had the bad luck of the first draw. But Argento caught the second part of the double and Whitaker’s World Cup dream was over.
Marco’s win
Winner Marco Kutscher was quick to congratulate his fellow countryman Daniel Deusser for producing such a quick round on a new ride.
Marco only got his ticket to Olympia ten days ago, when Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum withdrew, allowing space for Marco to come in her place. “It’s a special show and one of my favourites in the indoor season.”
The German rider has been based with Ludger Beerbaum for a number of years, but Marco has now set up a yard with his girlfriend.