German rising star wins in Leipzig

A relatively unknown rider has taken on the world’s best to win the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping League on home turf in Leipzig.

‘No risk, no fun’

Niklas Krieg, who was making his World Cup debut, was one of 14 to make it through to the jump-off. Third to go, the 22-year-old produced a fast time of 38.04sec, which simply couldn’t be beaten.

“I talked with my father before I went in and we decided I should go around fence 12, but then the first two fences came up really nicely and I thought to myself – ‘no risk, no fun’ – so I just went for it!” said Niklas.

The German rider has had his mare Carella since she was two. Now aged 12 he rode her to team gold at the FEI Young Riders European Championships in 2014 and team silver last year.

‘Bit of a diva’

“No-one else has ever ridden her so we have a big understanding between us,” said Niklas. “I know I can trust her every time. She is a bit of a diva, but I love her very much.”

Only two other combinations produced a double clear, but neither came close to Niklas’ time. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star were three seconds behind them to took second place (41.04sec), while the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Don VHP Z came third (46.85sec).

Leipzig also hosted the seventh and last Leg of the FEI World Cup Driving. Boyd Exell was on top form once again to secure his fifth win of this season.

‘Let them run’

Boyd admitted he didn’t plan on going quite so fast, but his team of four had other ideas.

“My horses accelerated so much, their speed was too high,” he explained. “I know from experience that I then better not interfere with them.

“Michael Freund [four times World Champion] always told me to let them run, but it does take years to get the confidence to do so from the start of the course.”

Swiss driver Jérôme Voutaz was second, which meant he claimed a last-minute qualifying spot for the final in Bordeaux, France on 6-7 February.

World Cup Vaulting

It was also the fifth and final qualifying round of the FEI World Cup Vaulting. Reigning European Champion Jannis Drewell achieved a hat-trick of consecutive wins, topping the Individual Male competition on home ground.

Switzerland’s Simone Jäiser won the Individual Female category, which was her third victory of the season, while the Pas-de-Deux saw Germany’s Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs reign supreme.

Details of the final are expected to be announced later this week.