Fruhmann Makes It A Double…….

On the eve of his 55th birthday, Thomas Fruhmann underpinned his dramatic return to top-level show jumping when recording his second victory of the 2005/2006 World Cup Jumping season at Leipzig in Germany today.

The veteran Austrian piped Germany's Ludger Beerbaum with a breathtaking last-to-go ride with his 10 year old horse The Sixth Sense and, after a long period in the shadows, looks set to qualify for the final in Kuala Lumpur in April.

From a starting field of 40, a total of 13 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear over Frank Rothenberger's first round track to go through to the jump-off and Ireland's Jessica Kurten, winner of the US$760,000 Grand Prix in Dubai nine days ago and last into the ring today having won Friday's Preliminary competition, just missed out when collecting four faults with Castle Forbes Libertina.

Sweden's Maria Gretzer and Spender S set the early target when, first to go against the clock, they came home clear again in 37.09 seconds. Belgium's Patrick McEntee (Sherryj Mury Marais Z) had two fences down but then German star, Ludger Beerbaum, shaved over three seconds off Gretzer's time with a superb run from the brilliant 14 year old mare
Gladdys S.

That really put it up to the rest of them and Markus Beerbaum collected eight faults with Leena as he attempted to rise to the challenge thrown down by his brother. With six of the jump-off contenders flying the German flag it seemed very likely indeed that the honours would stay at home and Marco Kutscher reinforced the German attack when steering Cash home in 34.15 seconds to slot in temporary second spot.

Rolf-Goran Bengtsson proved no threat when picking up four faults in 35.64 seconds while Germany's Ulrich Kirchhoff was slower still but clear in 35.92 seconds with Carino. Otto Becker and Dobel's Cento kept up a strong pace in their fault-free run but 34.35 seconds was never going to be quick enough and when Finland's Sebastian Numminen and
Sails Away faulted twice, Frenchman Philippe Leoni and Cyrenaika FRH were clear but slow and Holland's Gerco Schroder and Eurocommerce Monaco lowered two on their tour of the track it was still looking good for Ludger with just two left to go.

“Ludger did a really fast time and I just knew that I had to go as fast as I possibly could if I was to have any chance of beating him” the Austrian rider said afterwards and, with The Sixth Sense in top gear, he did just that. Fruhmann's riding style is a little unorthodox but his 10 year old horse has had no difficulty in forging a trusting relationship with his rider who, after a lifetime in the saddle, knows a special horse when he finds one. “The Sixth Sense is world class” he said afterwards. “At home he jumps better over 1.60m than he does over 1.50m and he really enjoys his competitions” he added.

Setting off at a cracking pace the Austrian partnership blazed a trial to come home clear in 33.12 seconds – almost a full second quicker than Ludger Beerbaum – to seal a significant victory and to shoot up from 16th to 6th place on the World Cup Jumping leader board. His surprise win in Geneva marked a major moment in Fruhmann's career as he had all but quit top-class competition in recent years for a number of reasons including the lack of a truly competitive horse.

Results (22.01.06)

CSI-W – Leipzig
Grande Prix – AM5

1º Thomas Frühmann (Aut) / The Sixth Sense / 0/0-33,12s
2º Ludger Beerbaum (Ale) / Gladdys S / 0/0-33,7
3º Marco Kutscher (Ale) / Cash / 0/0-34,15
4º Otto Becker (Ale) / Cento / 0/0-34,35
5º Ulrich Kirchhoff (Ale) / Carino / 0/0-35,92
6º Maria Gretzer (Sue) / Spender S / 0/0-37,09
7º Philippe Leoni (Fra) / Cyrenaika FRH / 0/0-37,15
8º Heinrich Hermann Engemann (Ale) / Aboyeur W / 0/4-33,01
9º Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Sue) / Grandina / 0/4-35,64
10º Markus Beerbaum (Ale) / Leena / 0/8-34,1