Stuttgart – Horse show history was written by Timo Beck on Thursday evening. After, along with ten other duos, going clear in the first round of the highlight for Baden Württemberg’s riders in the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle, the 32-year-old was the last to go in the jump-off and promptly raced around course without dislodging any timber in a time of 37.15 seconds. Riding the 15-year-old mare Isabell in front of a 6,200 crowd, Timo Beck became the first rider ever to win the BW-Bank Indoor Championship for a fourth time. His three previous successes came in 2000, 2002 and 2008.
“My Isabell is a small but big hearted horse that simply jumps above herself in the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle,” said an overjoyed Timo Beck. Highly motivated and riding confidently, he inspired Isabell to stride around the jump-off course. “I had to go quickly to beat Barbara.” Manfred Rube, the BW-Bank spokesman, was delighted to see Beck win: “A four-time winner is perfect for us. He looked good out there and is a worthy champion.”
Beck’s success around the “fair course” prevented what would have been only the third win ever for a female rider in the BW-Bank Indoor Championship. Barbara Steurer-Collee and Cohiba, also a 10-year-old grey mare, had previously been in the lead with a time of 40.25 seconds. Behind her was Tina Deuerer and her 10-year-old mare Cariva who crossed the finishing line in 42.69 seconds.
