Horse_amp_amp_Hound__06_February_2018

SHOWJUMPING
GLOCK
HORSE PERFORMANCE
CENTER CSI3*
1-4 February
‘Chilled but competitive’:
Martin Fuchs and Cool And
Easy en route to their first
grand prix success together
Glock Horse Performance Center
CSI3*, Treffen, Austria
SWITZERLAND’S Martin Fuchs
cemented his new partnership
with the highly experienced
Cool And Easy by winning the
grand prix at Glock’s. It was
a first victory for the pair, and
they breezed round the jump-off
in 43.3sec in a manner fitting to
the 14-year-old grey’s name.
“He’s a very fast, competitive
horse so I knew I could win if it
all came together,” said Martin.
“He’s a chilled, cool character
but also very sensitive — he’s got
a lot of blood.”
The Contender gelding, who
is owned by Paul Bücheler, came
to the 25-year-old rising star in
November, but has competed at
CSI5* and Nations Cup level with
the likes of Hans-Dieter Dreher,
Jessica Kurten and Beat Mändli
over the years.
Martin will aim Cool And Easy
at CSI5* shows now, and he is
one of three horses Martin hopes
will earn him a place on the Swiss
team for the World Equestrian
Games in September.
Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks
posted a valiant effort in second
on 13-year-old Moon Ray, going
flat out to the final oxer. Wilm
Vermeir rode with a little more
caution on the less experienced
Victory’s a breeze
for Cool And Easy
A new partnership coasts to grand prix success, while
Laura Renwick wins on a promising young mare and
Michael Duffy lands a 1.50m with a ‘special’ horse
By CATHERINE AUSTEN
nine-year-old DM Jacqmotte and
collected third.
Undoubtedly the biggest
cheer of the show was reserved
for fourth-placed Gerco Schröder
and Glock’s London NOP. The
handsome chestnut, who many
will remember winning individual
and team silver medals six years
ago at the London Olympics, is
owned by the show’s sponsors,
Gaston and Kathrin Glock, and
has been one of the superstars
of the sport.
Gerco rode two immaculate
rounds, but didn’t hassle his old
friend, who is now 16 years old.
“He’s a very special horse
to me,” said Gerco. “He knows
when it matters. He is like a
machine — you press the button
and he goes.
“He feels great again, but we
don’t overjump him now. He will
tell us what he wants to do.”
Gerco was elated — and
a little relieved — to take a 1.45m
class on Saturday with Glock’s
Dobelensky, a 10-year-old by
Cornet Obolensky.
“He doesn’t have much
experience in jump-offs at this
level, so I concentrated on getting
into a good rhythm,” said Gerco.
“It was a tough track for this
height, but Dobelensky is a nice
horse; he is strong mentally and
has a lot of quality and power.
He goes in a rubber snaffle,
Gerco Schröder and Glock’s
Dobelensky, 1.45m winners
62 Horse & Hound 8 February 2018