Lichtenstein’s Jennifer Hochstadter started the weekend with runner-up spot in Friday’s opening competition at Jumping Verona 2022, the Prestige Two-Phase won by Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca. But on this final morning she had the limelight all to herself when storming to victory in the Volkswagen Accumulator.
The 19-year-old rider had every reason to be pleased about the result achieved with her 10-year-old Tinka’s Boy gelding CSIO Bel, because she pinned so many of the big names in the sport into the minor placings.
She was almost a full second quicker than her nearest rival when posting a time of 45.34 seconds, and the fact that her nearest rival was none other than arguably the most popular man in the sport of showjumping – Britain’s John Whitaker partnering Sharid – made it all the more special.
Hochstadter could hardly believe it. ”It’s really incredible! John is a legend of the sport. I knew he scored the time to beat, and I’m so happy to have succeeded!”, she said.
Third place went Jeanne Sadran from France who has been very consistent throughout the Italian tournament this weekend, and her time of 46.52 with Virtuose Champeix left her fractionally ahead of another Briton, John Whitaker’s nephew Jack Whitaker riding Scenietha. Best of the Italians was Filippo Marco Bologni with his faithful 18-year-old stallion Quidich de la Chavee in fifth which Belgium’s Zoe Conter and interestingly-named mare, Lazy, slotted into sixth.
Talking about her winning ride, Hochstadter said, “Bel is a very special horse for me, because he gives me everything every time. I managed to win the second competition I rode him, in September 2020 in Saint Tropez. Before that he was ridden by Simon Delestre whose father Marcel is my coach. and Simon is also very valuable for my growth”.
