The PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix competition concluded the showjumping rivalry at CAVALIADA Poznań 2023. The best one today was Dutchman Frank Schuttert with ISIS. The class was also a qualifier for the FEI Jumping World Cup Central European League and counted for the FEI and CAVALIADA Tour rankings.
Fifty horse-and-rider combinations took part in the PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix for the prize of PKO Bank Polski, under the patronage of the Mayor of Poznań.
“It must be emphasized that the first course was very demanding. It truly selected the best riders who were in excellent, top shape today. This first course, high up to 160 cm, was technically and optically difficult, because we had some strange-colored fences for the horses, and there was a tight time allowed, forcing the pace, which resulted in mistakes” – says Szymon Tarant, sports director of CAVALIADA Poznań 2023.
We had 7 horse-and-rider combinations in the jump-off, and there were no surprises there. The most experienced rider – Frank Schuttert – already proved his fantastic style and smooth riding on the first course. With the jump-off track that we had here, it certainly helped him.
“First of all, I think it’s an amazing show. We had a great week. There was a very good course designer, and the perfect jump-off, with seven clears. Tani Joosten put a lot of pressure on us as the first to go, she had an amazing jump-off, but luckily for me I could watch her round, and in the end I was quick enough” – said the winner – „We’ve had the horse since the end of June. She’s performing better and better at each show, I think it’s an amazing horse and she feels ready to jump a bit bigger.
Among the 7 pairs that took part in the jump-off, there were none for the home nation. Three came close: Michalina Szmytka (six time penalties), Dawid Skiba (one knockdown) and Tomasz Miśkiewicz (one knockdown).
“The course was very technical, which is why a lot of us had trouble. Each rider had to take a lot of effort to get it right. In my case, it took going further out of the curve to make the last stride a bit stronger to that oxer, so Velvet would have something to jump off of. Other than that, I am very happy with her, it was her debut in a class like this. She is my number 2 horse right now, but she went very well for this level. To the question of who might win the Grand Prix? I’m betting on Frank Schuttert,” said Tomasz Miśkiewicz after his ride.
–- I feel very sorry for Michalina Szmytka, because she and her horse are in fantastic form, surprising us from show to show. It seemed that her horse is already nearing the end of his career – he is 15 years old, and actually the older he gets, the better he jumps. It also proves how Michalina takes wonderful care of him and he repays her with such good jumps. Unfortunately, Michalina was late for the starting line and the clock already ran – those are the rules. This athlete could have only had 2 penalty points and a 9th place in the four-star Grand Prix would have been a huge, lifetime success for her. – says Szymon Tarant – Dawid Skiba riding ODILON VAN HET BEVRIJDTHOF scored a fantastic round, only one knockdown – as can always happen. Dawid has been very unlucky here, because in each of the three big classes he had a knockdown at the same place – by the VIP box. Tomasz Miśkiewicz rode a less expresienced VELVET LAZAR, as his usual choice mare is resting now after a successful competition season.
Second place went to Sweden’s Emma Emanuelsson with Canbella Blue PS, and third to Tani Joosten from the Netherlands with Galdal Me.
In the CAVALIADA Tour ranking after the competition in Poznań, Emma Emanuelsson is the leader, with Angelos Touloupis and Sara Vingralkova in shared second place. The best Pole is Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski, who lies in 9th place.
Results of the PKO Bank Polski Grand Prix can be found here:
https://livejumping.com/ap/event/9559/competition/140622