Photo: Roland Thunholm/FEI

Germany’s Marco Kutscher was delighted to have won the last qualifier in Gothenburg today since this was the first time Satisfaction FRH had competed in a World Cup qualifier.

Kutscher needed the point today to ensure his spot in the Finals in April. “This was my first World Cup competition with this horse and my last chance to make sure that he could compete at the final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, so I’m delighted with the way things have worked out!” Kutscher said afterwards. 

He was second to go in a 5 horse jump-off and it was questionable whether or not his time would be fast enough for a first place finish. In the end it was.

Ludo Philippaerts from Belgium riding Kassini Jac were second today. Philippaerts agreed that the Italian had set them a tough test, and said he was under huge pressure himself.  “I had to finish in the top three to get to the Final and I can tell you that when I walked the course I wasn’t so sure I could do it - but my horse really fought for me today” he explained.

Kevin Staut came in third place with but was lucky Le Prestige St Lois de Hus.

Uliano Vezzani from Italy, was today’s course designer and it was noted by many of the riders that it was a very difficult course. Many commented that they did not believe there would be a lot of clear rounds.

FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 Western European League – Standings after Round 12 at Gothenburg, Sweden:

1.    Kevin Staut FRA            -    88
2.    Rolf-Goran Bengtsson SWE    -    79
3.    Denis Lynch IRL            -    77
4.    Marco Kutscher GER        -    73
5.    Patrice Delaveau FRA        -    60
6.    Pius Schwizer SUI            -    55
7.    Steve Guerdat SUI            -    51
8.    Ludger Beerbaum GER        -    49
9.    Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE    -    49
10.    Nick Skelton GBR            -    48
11.    Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS    -    47
12.    Luciana Diniz POR            -    46
13.    Marcus Ehning GER        -    45
14.    Philipp Weishaupt GER        -    44
15.    Scott Brash GBR            -    43
16.    Ludo Philippaerts BEL        -    42
17.    Harrie Smolders NED        -    42
18.    Emilie Martinsen DEN        -    41
19.    Ben Maher GBR            -    40
20.    Maikel van der Vleuten NED    -    36
21.    Katharina Offel UKR        -    35
22.    Dermott Lennon IRL        -    35
23.    Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER - 35
24.    Angelika Augustsson SWE    -    34
25.    Rik Hemeryck BEL            -    30
26.    Alvaro de Miranda BRA        -    29
27.    Nina Fagerstrom FIN         -    27