Daniel Deusser & Tobago Z. ph: Roger Svalsrød
Germany’s Daniel Deusser and the nine-year-old Zangersheide stallion Tobago Z (Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve x Mr Blue) produced a leading jump off time of 43.00s to win the CSI5* Rikstoto Grand Prix at the Kingsland Oslo Horse Show CSI5*-W.
On Saturday, October 14, 2017, 44 horse and rider combinations took to the 12-obstacle-course designed by Great Britain’s Bob Ellis. Last to go in the order amongst the seven who qualified for the jump-off, Deusser produced the leading clear round to secure the lions share of the 800,000 NOK purse at the Telenor Arena in Norway.
“I liked the course very well, not because I won, but because there were long enough lines, even though it was indoors,” said Deusser. “The mistakes [happened] a bit everywhere; when we ride indoors we just have to get used to the obstacles coming faster.”
Deusser and Tobago Z have competed together on the rated circuit since July of 2016. This marks their first win together at the CSI5* level.
“[Going last] was an advantage to me. My horse is only nine and isn’t so experienced at this level. As a last resort I could plan a little, but I was still lucky – I wasn’t [much faster] than Juulia.”
Finland’s Juulia Jyläs and the nine-year-old Zangersheide mare Courage T Z (Calvino Z x Espri) crossed the timers in 43.08s for 2nd place. The two first competed together internationally in April of 2014, and have since worked their way up from the CSI2* level. This marks their biggest podium placing to date.
“I saw the other rider before me and I knew [Courage T Z] could go [faultless]. She has jumped super all year long.”
While Jyläs represents Finland, most recently competing on behalf of her nation at the 2017 European Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, she moved to Holland 24 years ago to [develop] as a rider.
Ireland’s Shane Breen closed out the podium placings aboard Laith, the ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Lord Z x Weinberg). The two crossed the timers in 43.39s to finish in 3rd. “I didn’t have any good plans. I misjudged the line between the first and second [jump], and I could ‘ve walked in and also ridden one step less on the last. My horse is fast, he would win – but I disappointed him today.”
The full results can be viewed here.