Deusser’s double
GERMANY’s Daniel Deusser made a fabulous start to his indoor season by winning the grand prix with Tobago Z before galloping to victory on Cornet in the first of this year’s Western European league World Cup qualifiers. Ireland’s Bertram Allen (Izzy By Picobello) and Mark McAuley (Miebello) were among the seven who reached the jump-off, but a fence down apiece dropped them down the order.
Michael Whitaker, chasing a record 23rd World Cup final appearance, was desperately unlucky not to join them after giving Calisto Blue a superb ride. They left the fences up, but one time-fault put them eighth.
British course-designer Bob Ellis drew great praise.
“I really liked his courses — and not just because I won!” said Daniel Deusser. “It’s the first major indoor show and he gave us plenty of room to get to the fences.”
Ireland’s Richard Howley won the opening five-star class with his first ride on Billy Lemon, a mare he has taken on while owner Alice Watson awaits a knee operation. Meanwhile, Shane Breen was kicking himself after finishing third in the grand prix on Laith.
“I watched a couple of quick horses have a fence down, so I thought I didn’t have to go mad. My horse is fast and I let him down because he wanted to win,” said Shane.