Stuttgart – The outcome is only final when the last contestant goes through the finish. It may be stating the obvious but it was once again very true on Thursday evening in the final of the BW-Bank “Hallenchampionat” (indoor championship) for riders from the state of Baden Württemberg. Starting last of the nine jump-off riders, Andy Candin left all the fences standing in a time of 27.73 seconds to relegate Vacharco and its rider Marcel Marschall (0/28.01) into second. The latter’s father had his name inscribed on the unofficial state indoor championship’s roll of honour back in 1993 and 1994 when riding Snap Jack on both occasions. Though in the lead for a long time after posting a clear round in 28.50 seconds, record winner Timo Beck in the saddle on Pokerface saw his hopes of a sixth win in the BW-Bank-Cup dashed in the jump-off.
“I wasn’t expecting to win here,” admitted the overjoyed winner. “It’s a big honour to ride in this arena, in front of such an audience and in such an atmosphere.” The Romanian-born Candin – he has lived in south Germany for the past 22 years – was cheered on by a 6,600 crowd in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle.
Manfred Rube, the spokesperson of the BW-Bank, was thrilled by Andy Candin’s winning ride: “You really got the most out of your horse’s galloping ability in the jump-off. Horse show director Gotthilf Riexinger thanked the BW-Bank for their involvement over the years in the series where riders have to battle for a place in the final in Stuttgart at four qualifying competitions in the summer.
