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| Pius Schwizer and Carlina win their second Rolex World Cup qualifier in a week. By FEI/Matti Heitanen |
Switzerland's Pius Schwizer secured a superb back-to-back double when adding victory in the second leg of the 2001/12 Rolex FEI World Cup series in Helsinki, Finland, (23 October 2011) to his opening-round success in Oslo, Norway, (16 October 2011). Once again riding Carlina, Pius was one of nine through to the jump-off, in which he set a target that could not be matched, despite some heroic efforts from those who followed him.
Malin thrills
Malin Baryard-Johnsson nearly stole his thunder with a feat of derring-do that would challenge even the trick-riding expertise of the Ukrainian Cossacks. In a heart-stopping "save" that had spectators on the edges of their seats, the Swedish rider managed to stay onboard her 11-year-old gelding H&M Reveur de Hurtebise and finish third behind The Netherlands' Michael van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Verdi), while the host nation's Nina Fagerstrom (Talent) slotted into fourth.
It was Pius who was wearing the biggest smile at the end of the day, however, as, with the maximum 40 points already posting him to the top of the leaderboard, he is well on his way to the 2011/2012 series final in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, in April.
Good track
"My compliments to the course designer: it was a real World Cup track," Pius said afterwards.
Brazil's Jorge Guilherme set a tough test in the small Helsinki arena.
"You have to build top courses for the European World Cup events," he pointed out. "This is the Formula One of jumping and it needs to be difficult enough while bearing in mind that we are still early in the season."
Setting the pace
Belgium's Ludo Philippaerts set the pace with a double-error from Kassini Jack and Austria's Iris Murray, who has coped admirably since stepping up in class with Night Flight in recent weeks, followed suit. But Pius and Carlina made no mistakes. Setting off with purpose and producing the target with a great clear in 37.58 seconds.
"I didn't take too much of a risk," said Pius. "I could have gone faster, but I knew it was pretty good."
Ireland's Billy Twomey was first to take that on, but took his foot off the gas after an early mistake with Romanov. The crowd went wild when home-grown star Nina Fagerstrom left all the fences intact with Talent. Although, she was more than two seconds off Pius' target time. She was immediately overtaken for runner-up spot by The Netherands' Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi, who clocked 38.30 seconds.
Frenchman Patrice Delaveau looked most likely to oust the Swiss leader from his perch. Setting off at a strong pace, he was well up on the clock turning to the last with Ornella Mail, but paid a big price for a massive stand-off. So when Germany's Daniel Deusser and Untouchable also left one on the floor, only Malin stood between Pius and an exceptional start to the new season.
Looking good
The Swedish rider was looking good until she reached the former triple combination, now reduced to two jumping efforts.
"I was too fast going in," she said afterwards. "I landed on the left-hand side of the saddle when I came back down [over the second element] and it was quite scarey for a while.
"I struggled to get back on, trying to get my stirrups, but I said to myself 'no, don't circle and no, forget about the stirrups, just keep going and try to stay in the saddle over the last three fences'."
Against all the odds she succeeded and with the crowd bursting with admiration for her courage and determination, she galloped through the finish with the clock showing 40.62 and with all the poles still in place.
This was good enough for third behind Maikel, who was really pleased with his horse.
"I've had him for four years now and he's one of the best I've ever had," he said. "He's honest and always tries his best. No course is ever too high or too wide for him."
For full results from Helsinki, click here
Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 Western European League current standings
1. Pius Schwizer SUI - 40
2. Maikel van der Vleuten NED - 26
3. Angelica Augustsson SWE - 18
4. Philipp Weishaupt GER - 17
5. Luciana Diniz POR - 15
5. Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE - 15
5. Patrice Delaveau FRA - 15
8. William Funnell GBR - 13
8. Nina Fagerstrom FIN - 13
10. Denis Lynch IRL - 12
11. Daniel Deusser GER - 11
12. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER - 10
12. Billy Twomey IRL - 10
12. Kevin Staut FRA - 10
12. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS - 10
16. Ludo Philippaerts BEL - 9
17. Iris Murray AUT - 8
18. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson SWE - 7
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