Rolf-Göran Bengtsson was beaming with the sun this afternoon in Neumünster: "This is like Christmas and Easter together," he summarised his feelings. The Swede, who has been living in Holstein for 20 years, had just won the Grand Prix at the VR Classics in the packed Holstenhallen in a furious manner in the saddle of the Holstein Verband stallion Zuccero (by Zirocco Blue). "He has never gone as hard in the arena as he did here, two rounds over the 1.60m," Bengtsson praised his eleven-year-old grey horse. The pair had completed both rounds clear. And they were fast as well, galloping to the finish line after 38.06 seconds.
With this best time, Bengtsson had displaced the Dutch rider Jur Vrieling from the top spot. He had been on course to win with Comme Laude W (by Comme il Faut) and a time of 38.11 seconds in the second round. The Belgian Alexander Housen and Cassandra HSP came third, ahead of the best German Ulrich Hensel and Europa H (by Escudo). Philipp Schulze Topphoff was a little unlucky in the saddle of Clemens de la Lande (by Comme il Faut). With a time of 37.20 seconds, he was once again clearly faster than the winner, but unfortunately the last bar went down and he finished fifth in the final standings.
However, there was another coveted title to be awarded that afternoon: That of the 'Rider of the year' from the Bemer Riders Tour. However, the ranking of the three leading riders in the Bremen Riders Tour over eight stages did not change until the end. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van't Ruytershof had a super round in the course. The audience in the sold-out Holstenhallen literally held their breath, you could have heard a pin drop. And then the last pole fell and the silence was over. Sophie Hinners also let a pole roll into the course with Addresse (by Messenger). The third rider of the Bemer Riders Tour, Mathias Norheden Johansen and Camelot (by Casall), had eight penalties in the log.
"It was so quiet in the audience, I even heard someone enjoying themselves," Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann laughed after her overall victory in the Bemer Riders Tour. It was a very special and highly successful Bemer Riders Tour year for her, so soon after the birth of her son Friedrich. Only last weekend the Team World and European Champion had had a bad fall in Neumünster and had not been able to train. "I rested yesterday. Messi and I are a well-rehearsed team, I have had him in the stable since he was five years old. Even with a small handicap, we managed a good round today. After the mistake at the last jump, I was in a bit of a state of flux. I really should have avoided that mistake as well. It wasn't Messi's fault, I simply should have ridden a bit straighter. Nevertheless, I am very happy. We had a great season. And we saw great sport." At the victory celebration, Janne expressly thanked the audience on behalf of all the riders for the very special atmosphere in the Holstenhallen.
Sophie Hinners was also happy about her second place after the Bemer Riders Tour Final. "The audience is incredible, how they cheer along." And of course she was also happy about the new Audi convertible. All three riders received a new rideable for their achievements. She doesn't want to give the convertible to her partner Richard Vogel either. And Janne interjected: "It suits her much better anyway.
