Stuttgart – “Michael Jung is riding here with all the ease in the world. That was a very comfortable win,” said horse show director Gotthilf Riexinger when congratulating the eventing World Champion from nearby Horb. After his two wins at the 26th International STUTTGART GERMAN MASTERS Horse Show on Wednesday, the German followed up on Thursday with a victory in the final of the iWEST Dressage Cup – the unofficial state (Baden Württemberg) indoor championships.
The 28-year-old horse farm manager arrived at the Hanns Marin Schleyer Halle as the leader after four qualifying classes and fully lived up to the “high expectations” (Riexinger). Aboard his ten-year-old gelding Roche, he amassed 73.800 per cent points and finished well ahead of Falk Stankus. Last year’s winner came second on Birkhofs Meraldik with 71.450 points. In third place was the Dutchman Pieter van der Raadt, who competes for RF Horrenberg-Balzfeld, on his World Hit (69.700).
Michael Jung has three reasons to be happy: first of all today’s success. “I’m pleased that Roche didn’t lose form when I was away for the three weeks in Lexington,” said the emotional German, “and I’m pleased that my dressage horses are improving all the time.” But the thing that pleased him, and everybody can understand his feelings, most of all was the fact that his World Championships horse, Sam “has been back with us in our stables since midday today.” The wrangling over the “kidnapping” didn’t seem to perturb the local hero in Stuttgart. “I can concentrate quite well and when I ride into the arena then I’m totally focused on my horse.”
Gerhard Meyer from title sponsor iWEST congratulated Michael Jung on his victory and thanked the organisers: “Our cup has continued to develop and the marks are getting better and better. We, as Bavarians, feel very much at home here in Baden Württemberg – thanks very much” iWEST’s sponsorship will continue next year and the qualifying classes will be held in Ludwigsburg, Böblingen, Legelshurst and Weilheim/Teck. The competition will stay the same but it will be opened up to Bavarian riders. “It’ll provide us with new clientele and it’ll be like a closing of ranks,” said a delighted Gotthilf Riexinger.
