The Rolex FEI World Cup Eighth Leg Concludes; Women Dominate, Jessica Kuerten Wins
Posted by Vanessa Puzio and filed under Rolex Culture, Rolex Events |
The eighth leg of the 2009/2010 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping event in Leipzig, Germany witnessed female domination. The entire line up had ladies dominating the course and out clocking the men. The Leipzig leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping competition has always been lucky for Jessica Kuerten as she won the same in 2008 and 2009. With this victory in her kitty, Jessica Kuerten made it to a hat-trick in Leipzig. The Irish lady got a spurt of speed on the course and clocked in at 40.52 atop Castle Forbes Libertina. Even the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Standings have witnessed quite a shuffle after the eighth leg of the competition. The Leipzig grounds had 9,000 sets of eyes on the course and the riders, as the spectators enjoyed the competition held on the 24th of January.
The first three positions were all grabbed by female riders as Australia’s Edwina Alexander took the second position and France’s Penelope Leprevost took the third position. While the first round track made for a clear round for most riders, the jump-off was not as rider friendly and included some very tough decisions. The second round course was full of super-tight turns and only the exceptional speed of Castle Forbes Libertina along with her rider Jessica Kuerten could win the day. The German crowd too was very supportive of the Irish rider as she has made Germany her home for many years. However, before Jessica Kuerten went for the challenge of the jump-off with her 14 year old mare, she thought long and hard.
Jessica Kuerten contemplated that she was atop one of the fastest show jumping horses in the world and thus had to think harder how to approach the jump offs. Also Castle Forbes Libertina was returning to action after a seven-month layoff due to an injury and thus was even more enthusiastic than her regular self. That’s when the Irish lady decided to take a line less ventured by the other riders as she did not quite appreciate the turn after the double. Jessica Kuerten stated that she took the route taken by Simon Delestre and it worked for her. Her new line gave her the leeway that her mare would work better with. While appreciating her mare, Jessica Kuerten stated that Castle Forbes Libertina was smooth, fast and absolutely brilliant and added she was very happy with her.
Jessica Kuerten clocked in with no faults, while Edwina Alexander clocked in at 40.71 to claim the second position. Penelope Leprevost clocked in on the third position with a time of 41.13. Marcus Ehning had to settle for the fourth position while he was atop Plot Blue. While the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping standings were still lead by Holland’s Eric Van der Vleuten, the Leipzig win helped nudge Jessica Kuerten up the rankings. The Irish lady now is on the second rank and has already qualified for the series which is to take place in April in Geneva. On third place is Pius Schwizer and fourth place is occupied by Penelope Leprevost.
