Six top international duos went clear in the first round to qualify for the decisive jump-off. As the last one to go, Swiss Steve Guerdat in the saddle on Dynamix de Belheme beat Giulia Martinengo Marquet’s time on Scuderia 1918 Calle Deluxe (38.96 seconds) by all of one hundredth. After being 0.85 seconds down at the split, the 2012 Olympic champion in London sped around the course to stop the clock at 38.95 seconds. It messed up the Italian’s hopes of triumphing in the Stuttgart horse show’s second most important jumping class. Steve Guerdat received 34,815 euro for his efforts and Giulia Martinengo Marquet, who was riding in an Italian Air Force uniform, earned herself 21,100 euro prize money. Third was the Swedish team Olympic champion in Tokyo Peder Fredricson on Catch me Not S (0/39.97) – he took home 15,825 euro.
“Frankly speaking, it was totally crazy. I hadn’t planned on riding my best horse, but the class hadn’t been ticked off on my to-do list,” said the overjoyed winner. “The GERMAN MASTER is my favourite competition – thanks to the Stuttgart crowd. “I love Stuttgart.” Grinning, he continued, “See you on Sunday at the Grand Prix.”
