Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher propelled himself to the top of the podium in the ninth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup (Western European League) today, 30 December, in Mechelen (BEL) partnering 15-year-old gelding Vestmalle des Cotis. Only 10 athletes made it through to the jump-off, and as the penultimate rider he came in determined to topple long-term leader, Gilles Thomas from the top spot.
Bart Vonck and his course-building team set an impressive, up-to-height track for the 40 pre-qualified riders with the field ranging vastly in experience, with horses from eight to 16 years old, from 1.60m debutants to seasoned campaigners and former winners. Athletes ranged from 964th in the current Longines Rankings to 1st, with reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Champion and World Number One, Henrik von Eckerman (SWE) hoping to qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Basel (SUI) next year.
Vonck had the unenviable task of reducing the field for round two against the clock without punishing the less experienced athletes. When 25% of the field proceeded to the jump-off he had achieved just that, with Henrik von Eckerman out of the mix. Having estimated that 12 athletes would answer all the questions to his first-round track, he must have been delighted that 10 succeeded, whilst 12 combinations came home with just four faults and only one combination did not complete the course.
Jump-Off
Jos Verlooy and the beautiful bay, Parise van den Dael, were first in for the jump-off, picking up 4 penalties while stopping the clock on 38.36 seconds. It was the second combination of Gilles Thomas (BEL) and the 10-year-old stallion Ermitage Kalone who set the time to beat with a faultless clear, finishing in 36.22 seconds. Thomas’s time proved hard to better, and it wasn’t until ‘Hansi’ (Dreher) entered the arena, as ninth to go, that the leading time was superseded, shaving off 0.08 seconds. Last in for a shot at the top was Pieter Devos (BEL) with his exciting homebred nine-year-old mare, Casual Dv Z. Chasing the time with another foot-perfect round, the pair crossed the finish in a very respectable 36.26 seconds, just 0.12 seconds behind the leading time, leaving Devos in third place.
“I am really happy today!” Beamed Dreher, whose smile never left his face since checking his finishing time and seeing a big number one flash up beside his name on the scoreboard. “My horse jumped amazing. I did a stride less from two to three. He is a very sensitive horse; the most important thing is that he stays calm! Every year he wins a lot but this is his first World Cup win and the best win of his career”.
Thomas was delighted with the performance of his horse, but understandably disappointed to be so close to victory. “He is maybe not the fastest yet as he is not the most experienced in the jump-off but he is getting faster and faster each time”, he said.
Devos was full of praise for his young homebred star “She is only nine and has a lot of pressure all along the season. I think the future will be amazing with her and that is what I take with me today.” Having finished fourth last year and third here today Pieter added “I will keep coming until I win!” Of his next plans he said “She (Casual Dv Z) will now have a break and we will build her up again for the final. I think I now have enough points to qualify.”
After nine legs of the Tour, Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Kevin Staut (FRA) retain their position as joint leaders with 60 points each. Gregory Wathelet holds onto third place with points today seeing him close the gap between himself and the leaders as he sits on 56 points. His win today sees Dreher jump from 10th to fourth position with 51 points whilst Devos’ consistency sees him move up from ninth to fifth on 47 points just ahead of Germany’s Richard Vogel in sixth position on 42.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League 2024/2025 season moves on to Basel (SUI) for leg 10 of 14 on 12 January to kick off 2025. Leipzig (GER) then plays host to the 11th leg on 19 January 2025 before the series moves on to Amsterdam (NED) on 26 January 2025 for leg 12.
Feature image: Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle des Cotis – winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2024/25 qualifier in Mechelen (BEL) © FEI/ Dirk Caremans
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.