European Champion Claims Two Victories at the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters

Fast, efficient and always in control – European Champion Richard Vogel (Marburg) made an outstanding start to the Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Masters, claiming two victories in the three competitions held on the opening day. The 29-year-old rider, originally from Baden-Württemberg, topped both the Big Tour and the opening class for six-year-old jumpers. In both cases, the winning horses had one thing in common – their names began with the letter "C".

Partnering the six-year-old Holsteiner gelding Capocino (Cornet's Caprice × Quiwi Dream), bred by Carsten Lauck and owned by his son Malte Lauck (Pinneberg), Vogel won the M** class for young jumpers with a faultless round in 66.48 seconds. There will certainly have been plenty of smiles in Schleswig-Holstein as both breeder and owner watched the talented youngster shine.

Earlier in the day, Vogel had already secured victory in the Big Tour, outperforming a field of 66 competitors. Riding the nine-year-old Holsteiner stallion Cardentos, the European Champion produced the fastest clear round in the classic S* competition, stopping the clock at 61.90 seconds. Like Capocino, Cardentos also originates from Schleswig-Holstein. Bred and owned by Witt Pferdezucht GmbH, the talented stallion has already attracted considerable attention during the spring season in the United States. Vogel also guided the Belgian Warmblood gelding Quizas van't Hulsbos to sixth place in the same class.

The first winners of the opening day at the well-attended venue at Hetzel Horses in Goch were, in fact, 45 combinations. The opening competition for the youngest Masters horses was held under Clear Round rules, meaning every rider completing the course without penalties was rewarded equally. Richard Vogel was once again among the successful combinations, this time aboard the Hanoverian stallion Elton (Emerald van't Ruytershof × Ludwig von Bayern), bred by Jens Löhden and jointly owned by Richard Vogel and David Will.

Friday's programme will once again focus on the six-year-old jumpers, followed by the second qualifier for the five-year-olds. The day concludes with the first S* competition for the seven- and eight-year-old horses, all aiming to qualify for the prestigious finals. The prize money is substantial across every age category, highlighted by the spectacular €100,000 final for the seven- and eight-year-old horses.