United Touch S, with Germany’s 26-year-old Richard Vogel in the saddle, laid down an outstanding round to win the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha (USA). In a field of nine who advanced to the jump off — out of 39 starters riding the course set by Portugal’s Bernardo Costa Cabral— rising star Harry Charles of Britain stopped the clock in 35.25 seconds claiming second place with Balou du Reventon between the reins.
Talking about his win Vogel, who has been riding with legendary McLain Ward since 2017, was delighted and happy with how things have gone so far in his first World Cup Final and was also quick to credit Julius-Peter Sinnack’s 11-year-old Westphalian stallion’s athletic ability. “He has such a big stride, he gives his best and tries his heart out,” he said about stallion.
Harry Charles and Balou du Reventon – Photo FEI / Richard Juillart
Charles, the highest ranked Under 25 rider, was thrilled with his second spot but mostly about his mount, Balou du Reventon, who he has only been riding since last December. “For sure he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden and even at 17 years old he is still one of the best horses in the world. I’ve been watching him since I was growing up and it’s an honor and a privilege to be sat on him. I love every minute of every time I get to go in the ring with him. He’s not a horse, he’s a Pegasus,” he said about the Oldenburg stallion owned by Ann Thompson.
Though Vogel topped the leaderboard in the second leg, it’s Denmark’s Andreas Schou with Darc de Lux and Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer riding Vancouver de Lanlore, who tie for the lead going into Saturday’s third and deciding competition.
Schou, closed in third place aboard his handsome stallion Darc de Lux, a 12-year-old Holsteiner bred in Denmark and owned by Schou Absolute Horses. Schou and his wife Jannike purchased him as a five-year-old, and it was his wife who initially rode the talented stallion initially. Andreas eventually took over the reins four years later and went on to show at the Olympic Games, the FEI World Championships, and the European Championships. This year he jumped
six World Cups and ’s-Hertogenbosch and Geneva. “We are super excited and very proud of our horse coming here in super shape,” commented Schou. “Now we will focus on taking care of him and keeping him fit until Saturday evening. When you have a horse for seven years and he keeps on delivering for you and giving you so many adventures, you are really grateful because not many riders will have a horse like that.”
Andreas Schou and Darc de Lux – Photo FEI / Richard Juillart
The name of the game
Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, winner of the Speed class riding King Edward, is now in third place. Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z), who claimed third place honors in the Speed class, retired.
Points from the Speed leg and the Jump-Off are now converted into penalties, there is less than a fence between the top six going into the top-30 last-day test at 18.15 on Saturday evening.
For the overall standings click here
By Simona Diale / International Horse Press
