Aachen: Gerco Schröder and Eurocommerce Milano win ahead of Franke Sloothaak

The Dutch rider, a member of the gold-winning team at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, jumped clear in a time of 60.02 seconds. Which meant the victory for Gerco Schröder in the RWE Prize of North Rhineland-Westphalia at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2007 with the 13-year-old KWPN mare, Eurocommerce Milano. “It was difficult to keep within the allowed time in the first round and in the second round many riders who rode before me were very quick. So I said to myself, just try and risk everything. And it worked,” the 28-year-old Dutch rider explained. “Milano is a mare that stands high in blood, she really fights for me and is very fast. Plus she also uses her own initiative, which makes things much easier for me.”

Franke Sloothaak claimed second place with the Hannoverian Landadel son, Legurio, in a time of 63.14 seconds. “We are thrilled that Franke Sloothaak is competing successfully in Aachen again,” praised Klaus Peters, Vice President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein. Sloothaak was highly satisfied with his successful ride. “I am often asked about this horse, because he is so long. Many ask me, how can you ride him? But, they forget to consider the horse's character. Legurio was injured on his neck as a foal and is slightly handicapped as a result. But he does have very uphill gaits and has super balance. This gives him the power to keep himself compact,” explained the rider from Borgholzhausen. The Brazilian rider, Rodrigo Pessoa, rode to third place with the nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Rufus, in 63.52 seconds, followed by the Irish rider, Jessica Kürten/Castle Forbes Maike, who lives in Hünxe (64.71). All four riders jumped clear.

In this competition the riders were able to collect further points to qualify for the ROLEX Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of Aachen, which will be staged on Sunday afternoon (July 8th).