Daniel Deusser And Cornet D'Amour Win FEI World Cup

Daniel Deusser beats “der Kaïser”

Lyon, France (April 21st, 2014) – Finishing in 6th place on Friday and 3rd in the rankings after the second round on Saturday evening, Daniel Deusser was in the right place to finish at the top of the 2014 Longines FEI World Cup Final podium. Deusser was able to move up one spot after Patrice Delaveau, who was tied in 1^st with Steve Guerdat, withdrew from the competition. With only 2 penalty points, everything was possible for him, as well as for reigning Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat. But on Monday’s final phase of competition (judged on 2 rounds), Nino des Buissonnets, Guerdat’s horse, showed some fatigue; knocking down one rail in each round.

7 years after Las Vegas

Jumping his second World Cup final, 33-year-old Daniel Deusser had a royal road to the final victory and showed nothing less than self-control aboard Cornet D’Amour, supplementing his indoor success record of a first victory in the World Cup Final FEI Longines after a second place finish in the final in Las Vegas 2007 (riding Air Jordan).

Gray Horses Dominate

An 11-year-old Westfalen stallion, owned by Stephex Stables and Double H Farm, Cornet D’Amour was up against some steep competition on Monday night’s final round. Marcus Ehning and his powerful gray Cornado NRW were very demonstrative since the first round, and Chiara 222, daughter of the famous stallion Contender and winner of the Grand Prix of the CSI5* of Doha (QAT ) earlier this season, allowed Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum to make a spectacular comeback. Beerbaum and Chiara 222, an 11-year-old gray Holsteiner, rode a double clear on Monday’s final, moving them into 2nd place in the standings and putting pressure on the young Deusser. If the poles have shuddered to the end, they all remained on the tabs. Riding double clear and resisting the competition, Cornet D’Amour carried Deusser through to the finish and directly onto the top on the winners podium.

Americans Finish In Top 12

Beezie Madden (USA), defending champion with her top horse Simon, stood up well, but a small pole on the ground in each final round blocked their hopes of doubling. Finishing in 7th place, Madden nevertheless remains the best American representative, just before McLain Ward, who finished 9th aboard Rothchild.

Viva La France!

An unfortunate injury sustained by Patrice Delaveau’s 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Lacrimoso 3 HDC, forced the pair to withdraw during Saturday night’s second phase and shook the hopes of the host country. But the big disappointment for the French public was undoubtedly the absence of a tricolor in the final round. Proudly representing France, Kevin Staut was still in the race on Monday’s final, but preferred to preserve his mare, Silvana, and retired from the competition. He finished 21st while fellow French rider Simon Delestre finished 23rd with Valentino Velvet.

This World Cup final was a minor set back for the “Blues” this season, however, chef d’equipe, Philippe Guerdat, will certainly be working to restore France’s track back to victory over the coming months.

By: Xavier Boudon