It was the highlight of the weekend, the $25,000 Grand Prix at the CSI** Aachen concluded on Sunday, May 1st in a thrilling jump-off on a very high level. The beaming winner was Marlon Modolo Zanotelli with his championship horse Rock’n Roll Semilly. The Brazilian, who is based at the prestigious Ashford Farm in Belgium, went all in and managed to top the strong international field of riders.
A jumpoff of ten saw five double clears, but Zanotelli was the best of them in 37.58 seconds. Just behind him in 2nd place and partnering with her proven Spirit T, Jessica Mendoza from Great Britain tried her best to prevent him from winning, but her time was 38.18 seconds in this demanding Grand Prix. Third place went to Jens Baackmann from Germany on Carmen 255. Rounding out the top five were Japan’s Taizo Sugitani and Chopard 19, and Vladimir Tuganov flying the Russian flag aboard Pour Le Poussage.
The atmosphere in Aachen, Germany was breathtaking in the Deutsche Bank Stadium and the sport was placed on a very high level. Organizers Virginia Mehlkopf and Gina Trojan are very pleased with the feedback of the spectators this Sunday; “We are more than happy that the Aachen weather has finally been favourable to us and we could offer best conditions for the concluding Grand Prix.”
The winner Marlon Modolo Zanotelli has the following to say to the first edition of CSI Aachen: “Every win is important, but to win in Aachen is a very special feeling! Even if it’s not in the big arena. The facilities are so amazing, they should use it more in this way. The stadium, the stables, the whole place is perfect and it was easy to have a good performance here!”
See complete results from the entire week of competition at CSI Aachen here.