Nick Skelton wins the Mercedes-Benz Championship
Friday 18 May 2012
Hamburg - "I won the Mercedes" - Nick Skelton had barely stepped out of the Mercedes convertible and grabbed his phone to spread the news of his win in the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix. The Hamburg spectators at the German Jumping and Dressage Derby experienced the European Championship Bronze Medallist and his Holstein bred gelding Carlo in best form: the quick British rider's fault free round in 46,53 seconds was enough to secure the key to the elegant Mercedes-Benz convertible.
The Swiss rider Steve Guerdat finished in second place on the Holstein bred gelding Carpalo. "I'm very happy that he did such a good job. I see a lot of potential in this horse", said the Swiss Nations' Cup rider. France's Simon Delestre followed in third place with Napoli du Ry. The French national trainer recommended that his "first group" start at the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. The best German rider was fifth place finisher Ludger Beerbaum with Chiara. The four-time Olympic champion revealed his thoughts as he said, "I have Gotha and Chiara here, but as good as Chiara was today, I think I'll ride her Saturday in the Global Champions Tour competition as well".
Results - Mercedes-Benz Championship x – Qualification Global Champions Tour - CSI5*: Springprüfung mit Stechen
1. Nick Skelton (Great Britain), Carlo, 0 SP/46.53 sec
2. Steve Guerdat (Switzerland), Carpalo, 0/47.43
3. Simon Delestre (France), Napoli du Ry, 0/48.11
4. Maikel van der Vleuten (Netherlands), VDL Groep Verdi, 0/48.46
5. Ludger Beerbaum (Germany), Chiara, 0/48.55
6. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Germany), Checkmate, 0/48.94
Photo: © Karl-Heinz Frieler
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