Helsinki Grand Prix 155 cm offered a nail-biting battle. The winner was decided in a 13-way jump off against the clock, and from the first clear it was evident that an incredibly fast round was needed for the win. Rider after rider put a spectacular round on the leaderboard but it was Japan’s Eiken Sato that rode Chadellano JRA to the victory. French Olympic team champion Kevin Staut on Kannonqulan was narrowly left to the second place while yesterday’s five-star class winner Giampiero Garofalo of Italy with his Querido van’t Ruytershof took the last spot in the top three.
Sato had to wait his next big win a long time but believes the last 6-7 months in Yuri Mansur’s team have contributed to the clear development in his results. He has had changes in the training; he feels his mind has been getting better and he now has access to new information. To this background, the Japanese, who is aiming for the World Championships in Aachen and the Asian Games to be held in Japan, was feeling very happy after the victory.
“The jump-off was really prompt for us. We had to imagine the course thorough beforehand and make everything clear. I never believed I could win but this was a good run and I’m very happy about that. I would like to say thank you to my team and especially for Yuri and his wife – without the support we cannot do anything.”
Sato’s horse Chadellano JRA is owned by the Japanese Federation and the rider is very thankful that they have trusted him with him.
At the connection of Helsinki Grand Prix this evening, Christoper Wegelius Memorial Trophy was presented to the best Finnish rider Jone Illi. It’s a perpetual award and a way for the equestrian community to honor Chris’ memory. Christopher Wegelius was the long-time figure in Finnish equestrian sports, the honorary member of the Finnish Equestrian Federation and Olympic rider, and he passed away just before Christmas.
For Illi, Saturday’s competition was the first five-star Grand Prix ever.
“I’m really happy. I felt disappointed after the round, it was actually quite unlucky fault and a very small mistake. But I’m really pleased, a good result. Celtas is a great horse and I want to thank the owner Kenneth Varsanpää. I have always believed in the horse, but I didn’t think we could rise to this level, at least no this quickly. I owe a big thank you to Markus Beerbaum and my whole team in Germany for that.”
International CSI5* 155 cm Helsinki Grand Prix, with jump-off. Starts 35, placings 13.
1) Eiken Sato – Chadellano JRA, JPN 0-0/32,89,
2) Kevin Staut – Kannonqulan, FRA 0-0/33,59,
3) Giampiero Garofalo – Querido van’t Ruytershof, ITA 0-0/35,54,
… 17) Jone Illi – Celtas Quillian, FIN 4/67,76,
18) Petra Heikkinen – Oechie-K, FIN 4/68,53,
…32) Anna-Julia Kontio – Cayadina, FIN 16/68,86,
Jasmin Seppälä-Geerink – Kerel van het Sterrebos, FIN RT
Results: LINK
