Stopteltat International Welcome 140 cm offered a tight fight against the clock but at the end, home favourites Jone Illi and Celtas Quillian stole the show with a spectacular, fast round. Geir Gulliksen on Oh la La van Overis from Norway took the runner-up spot before Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida with Solidat. The Portuguese duo took an early lead in the competition and held onto their position until Illi took the stage.
Jone Illi and Celtas Quillian – photo Iita-Maria Ahtiainen
Jone Illi, who placed third in the opening class in Helsinki last year, was naturally very happy with his performance.
“I felt great on the course today and the horse jumped very well. In the second phase I did a few sharp turns but didn’t take any big risks – I actually wasn’t feeling that fast in the second phase. Still, I was confident that my time is enough for the win, many riders don’t take big risks on Friday, and I knew I had good chances to top the class. There is no better way to start the weekend”.
Next Illi will ride in the speed class on Friday evening with Its me G. He says 140 cm competitions are more familiar for Celtas, but is feeling great ahead of the evening class.
Jone Illi and Celtas Quillian – photo Satu Pirinen
Also Illi’s coach Kari Nevala was satisfied with the duo’s performance on the course.
“We had a clear plan – if they get into good flow, we’ll ride for the win, but if they don’t, we don’t force it but rather aim for the top three. When Jone managed to ride the decisive fence, last of the basic track and the second to last of the second phase, perfectly on both times, being fast after the obstable – that’s where the class win came.
International Welcome presented by Stopteltat international competition in two phases 140 cm. Starts 49, placings 13.
1) Jone Illi – Celtas Quillian, FIN 0-0/24,56
2) Geir Gulliksen – Oh la La van Overis, NOR 0-0/25,88
3) Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida – Solidat, POR 0-0/26,43
4) Martin Fuchs – Commissar Pezi, SUI 0-0/26,88
5) Jens Fredricson – Kiara, SWE 0-0/27,25
6) Caroline Rehoff Pedersen – Chaccball, DEN 0-0/27,79
7) Max Kühner – EIC Anton Sbk Z, AUT 0-0/28,13
8) Eugenio Grimaldi – Pompon van de Koekoek, ITA 0-0/28,98
9) Jeremy Sweetnam – Chapeau, IRL 0-0/29,05
10) Guido Grimaldi – Gentleman, ITA 0-0/29,66
11) Simone Coata – Jakko, ITA 0-0/29,73
12) Pieter Devos – Primo DV, BEL 0-0/29,93
13) Amanda Landeblad – Joelina, SWE 0-0/30,22
Complete results: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/helsinki-international-horse-show-helsinki/resultlist_01.html
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