Eckermann triumphs not only in the Grand Prix

Goch – Sunday afternoon’s concluding three-star Grand Prix at the five-day Hetzel Spring Masters at the equestrian centre of Holger Hetzel in Goch ended with a triumphant victory for Katrin Eckermann of Kranenburg. In the jump-off, reached by only four combinations after faultless first rounds, the 35-year-old once again demonstrated her world-class ability.

As the very first rider to go, Eckermann produced the fastest clear round in 40.20 seconds aboard her Westphalian stallion Iron Dames Cascajall NRW, a son of Casallco. With her second horse in the jump-off, the Westphalian Comilio, a son of Comme il faut NRW, she also secured second place with another clear round in 41.45 seconds. Third place went to Franziska Müller of Süttenbacher RSG aboard Calkato (0/44.00). Eckermann, who once completed her apprenticeship as a professional groom and rider with Holger Hetzel, was understandably delighted: “It is always a pleasure to compete here with Holger, because the events are perfectly organised and the whole team is incredibly motivated.” With their Grand Prix victory, Eckermann and Iron Dames Cascajall NRW became the most successful combination of the tournament, having already won a major class earlier in the week and finished a close second in another advanced competition.

The advanced U25 class held earlier on Sunday was won by Jörg Leon Zahn of RV von Bredow Keppeln aboard Quantro van de Vogelzang. Eckermann also claimed victory in an advanced class for seven- and eight-year-old horses with Chacoona Cat. Further advanced-class winners included Laurens Houben with Hot Stuff EP and Laura Hetzel of Goch with Jet V. A two-star advanced class on Saturday went to Juliana Rölfing of RV Forellenhof aboard Come and feel O NRW.

Host Holger Hetzel was also highly satisfied: “The Spring Masters in spring is, so to speak, our dress rehearsal for the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters, which will take place here from 22 to 26 July.”

The Young Horse Masters are the world’s highest prize-money event for young show jumpers and, since last year, the first stage in the race for the title of Young Horse of the Year, which concludes at the Al Shira'aa Bundeschampionate in August in Warendorf. Last year, Holger Hetzel’s head rider Laurens Houben won the inaugural seven-year-old Young Horse of the Year title with Dior thanks to outstanding performances at both the Young Horse Masters and the Bundeschampionate in Warendorf. At Holger Hetzel’s International Showjumping Horse Auction in November, the Holsteiner stallion by Diamant de Semilly achieved the top price of one million euros.

Thomas Hartwig