Ph. Lili Weik Photography
Christian Heineking of Germany won the $130,000 Burlington Capital Group Omaha Grand Prix CSI3* for the fourth time in five years, riding NKH Selena to victory at the fifth annual International Omaha.
International Omaha is produced by the Omaha Equestrian Foundation (OEF) at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, site of the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final and the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final.
Heineking rode two of the eight horses that reached the jump-off by riding without penalty over the 15-effort first-round course designed by Alan Wade of Ireland who will be the course designer for next year’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha. He was the second to return for the nine-effort tiebreaker course and he rode his 11-year-old, Oldenburg mare to a clean round in 40.16 seconds which proved to be the only clean round in the jump-off giving him the win.
“I never expected that my ride would be the only clean round but since I had another horse, I decided to go all out,” Heineking said. “This is her fourth FEI win but this one is special because Omaha really feels like home to me.”
Christoph Schroeder and Catungee placed 2nd for Germany, and American rider Brandi Holloway was 3rd with Lucky Strike. Tracy Fenny with MTM REve du Paradis were 4th, and Matt Cyphert and Lochinvar were 5th.
Tickets for the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals are available now on line at www.InternationalOmaha.com, www.OmahaWorldCup2017.comor www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office.
Full results of the Grand Prix and all International Omaha classes are available at the International Omaha website at www.InternationalOmaha.com.
Finishing second with the fastest four-fault ride in the jump-off was Heineking’s countryman Christoph Schroeder who finished in 42.04 seconds on Catungee, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas was third with four faults and a time of 42.37 seconds on Lucky Strike, also a 10-year-old, Holsteiner gelding.
“This is one of the nicest horse shows I’ve ever been to,” said Schroeder. “It has a real European feel, the footing is great, the management is excellent and there is a very special atmosphere. You look at all the riders and everyone has a really good time.”
Holloway echoed Schroeder’s thoughts on the International Omaha. “I absolutely love it here,” she said. “Lisa (Roskens) puts so much into it and she has built something really special. The crowds are amazing and it’s very exciting to compete here.”