| Mastermind RL impresses in Shanghai
The 12-year-old Mastermind RL, who has only joined Philipp’s stable a few weeks ago, made an immediate impact in his first appearance at a Longines Global Champions Tour event. On Friday, the Mylord Carthago offspring competed with Philipp for Team Riesenbeck International in the Global Champions League, securing the team’s first podium finish of the season at the third leg with two confident clear rounds. This also placed him in the individual rankings in both competitions, finishing ninth in the first round and third in the second round. “I couldn’t be happier with Mastermind RL. Our first start in the Global Champions League and straight away a double clear!” Philipp praised his new addition.
In the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Sunday, the Riesenbeck pair once again delivered a clear round, qualifying for the jump-off. As the second of 19 combinations in the jump-off, the pressure was high, as Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v/h Dingeshof had already set a very fast clear round as the first starters. Philipp began the jump-off course with high speed and a tight turn to the second fence, but that was where the first rail fell. Maintaining a strong pace, they continued through the course, and although Mastermind RL jumped superbly, another rail fell along the way. In the end, eight penalties meant 15th place for the pair. Despite the two rails down, it was a very promising debut for the duo on the Longines Global Champions Tour.
Ciaran was already successful on Thursday at the nearby show in Havixbeck-Hohenholte with the young horses. The 5-year-old Zafiro by Zinedine placed fourth and ninth in the young horse classes over 100 cm and 110 cm with scores of 7.9 and 7.8. In the following class over 120 cm, the 6-year-old Zilana impressed and won with a score of 8.8. The 7-year-old Ogana D also delivered a harmonious round, earning a score of 8.4 and finishing third.
Ciaran was also successful last weekend in Bremen-Oberneuland. On Friday, he competed in a 130 cm class and immediately secured victory in the saddle of the 8-year-old Ogana Sitte SR. He also placed the 9-year-old mare Babuschka Dree Boeken and the 8-year-old Little Special in Red M in the same class. In the following 140 cm class, victory again went to Riesenbeck, with Little Special in Red M taking the top spot by almost two seconds. Babuschka Dree Boeken also placed once more, while Megalon K collected three time penalties but still brought home a ribbon.
Success continued on Saturday, in the 140 cm class, Ciaran placed Dynar and Casalla Blue PS with two clear rounds over the fences and only one and two time penalties respectively for exceeding the time allowed. In the subsequent two-phase class (140 cm), Ciaran attacked again and secured victory with the 10-year-old Casalla Blue PS as the only rider without faults in the second phase. Babuschka Dree Boeken had one rail down in the second phase, but thanks to a fast time still finished fourth.
A victorious and highly successful weekend lies behind Team Beerbaum, and now we look ahead to the CSI** at our home venue in Riesenbeck, where all of our riders will be competing.
