09 Jul Two young Irish competitors win the qualifier for the BEMER Riders Tour in Ommen
(Ommen/ NED) The first international leg of the BEMER Riders Tour was received with open arms and great enthusiasm by the Dutch hosts. Numerous spectators lined the jumping arena at the Schuttert family’s equestrian centre on Friday evening for the qualifier of the Tour. 58 pairs started the Prize of Boehringer Ingelheim, a world ranking jumping competition over 1.50 m, nine pairs remained clear and started in the jump-off — Matt Garrigan (IRE) and the Irish Sport Horse HHS Seattle came out on top in the end.
Maximilian Lill (GER) and Dexter Bois Margot (by Qlassic Bois Margot) opened the second round with a fast, clear round in 39.46 seconds, but it was only enough for second place in the end. The young Irish rider Matt Garrigan galloped to victory with HHS Seattle (by Pacino) in 39.14 seconds. The only Amazon in the jump-off took third place: Julia Houtzager-Kayser (AUT) and the KWPN mare High Five also remained clear in 39.65 seconds.
A well experienced combination
The 25-year-old Garrigan has had the nine-year-old chestnut gelding under saddle since he was four years old. “HHS Seattle has been jumping really well. He’s getting better and more experienced in his jump-offs and he tried his best for me,” Garrigan praised his four-legged partner’s work ethic.
Scholar with a future
The Irishman is a rider at BWG Stables in the Netherlands. He joined the Schröder brothers’ stable just over two years ago to train with the Rolex Academy for talented riders. Now he hopes to stay in Twente for many more years. For his sporting career, the move to the Netherlands has already been very successful, as he could again prove tonight. Garrigan will also saddle HHS Seattle in the Grand Prix on Sunday, where he will be able to collect important points in the third competition of the BEMER Riders Tour. The Tour has already been a springboard for many young talents.
The Grand Prix van het Vechtdal powered by Handelshuis Schuttert & Provincie Overijssel starts at 15:00 and can be seen live on ClipMyHorse.TV.
Result BEMER Riders Tour Qualification, Prize of Boehringer Ingelheim, Intern. with jump-off (1.50m)
1. Matt Garrigan (IRE), Hhs Seattle 0/ 39,14
2. Maximilian Lill (GER), Dexter Bois Margot 0/ 39,46
3. Julia Houtzager-Kayser (AUT), High Five 0/39,65
4. Gaj Riossa (SLO), Hero 0/ 39,74
5. William Funnell (GBR), Equine America Billy Diamo 4/ 39,67
6. Henk Frederiks (NED), Impian D 4/ 43,29
Foto © Leanjo de Koster /Digishots