Simon Delestre and Chesall Win Golden Drum of Basel CSI5*

Freshly-ranked World No. 2 rider Simon Delestre displayed his winning form on Friday evening in Basel, Switzerland at CSI Basel aboard Chesall, topping a 10-horse jumpoff on an action-packed day of 2016’s first international show jumping competition.

Delestre and Chesall, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Milva IV), who spent 2015 racking up top placings around the world, prevented Swiss rider Niklaus Rutschi from securing a win on his home turf by finishing in 33.41 secnods to Rutschi’s 34.16 wtih Windosr XV.

“I’m very proud of my horse and the second place” stated Ruschi, who is based near Lucerne, Switzerland. He was the only Swiss that was in the jump-off with 5 600 spectators. “I wanted to ride ahead, but not too fast. Windsor should also be in good condition for the Grand Prix on Sunday.”

Delestre, 3rd at the 2015 European Championship, risked a lot and nearly flew over the six obstacles in the jump-off. Rutschi, who was 3rd in last year’s Championat from Basel, was not quarrelling when he was finished. He was smiling, knowing he was only one hundredth in front of Luciana Diniz from Portugal. Besides Rutschi only one further Swiss Rider, Adrian Schmid, living nearby in Boll in Germany, was 13th with Alcazar Sitte in the ranking. He missed the jump-off with only a slight time fault.

Diniz finished 3rd with her champion partner Winningmood, and Germany’s Daniel Deusser was 4th aboard Clintop. In total seven pairs managed double clear tracks for the 75,750 CHF offered in prize money.

CSI Basel continues with Longines ranking competitions throughout the weekend. See full results at this link.