Gerco was brilliant in Bordeaux

Dutch star Gerco Schroder scooped maximum points in the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifying leg in Bordeaux, France tonight with a stunning performance from Eurocommerce Milano.

Second-last into the ten-horse jump-off he ousted Switzerland's Steve Guerdat from pole position, and Schroder said afterwards that he now has his sights firmly set on a place at the series final in Gothenburg, Sweden in April. “Until last week I only had one point” the 29 year old World and European gold medallist explained, “but then I was second with Monaco in Amsterdam and now I have the win here with Milano so I have almost enough points – this changes my plan” he added.

The big, tough track set by Frank Rothenberger was plenty testing as competition pathfinder, the new bright star of British show jumping William Whitaker, demonstrated. The course-designer set them a particularly difficult question with the distance between the oxer at fence three and the following triple combination and William's evening ended here. The 18 year old rider, who grabbed the headlines when winning the seventh round of the 2007/2008 series at Mechelen in Belgium in December, was having his first Rolex FEI World Cup™ run since then but, attempting to go down the line on four strides he arrived too far off the first element of the treble and Arielle ground to a halt for eventual elimination.

“You needed a long four strides or a very short five” said Schroder afterwards. “This was a very difficult line because the oxer was big and it was only the third fence so the problem was very early on the course. But Frank said before the competition that he didn't want too many clears and that, with so many good riders in the class, he didn't know what he needed to do to avoid getting too many!” the Dutch man said.

There were four retirements before the first round concluded, while the home side's Michel Robert (Mme Pompadour) and Belgium's Patrick McEntee (Ever Mury Marais Z) were left kicking themselves for having collected a single time-fault each as the 74-second time allowed proved tight.

The jump-off line-up was top-class however and it was Germany's Lars Nieberg and Lucie who led the way, leaving two fences on the floor in 36.05 seconds. Patrice Deleveay was the first of the two French representatives in the closing stages but a pole down for his 10 year old Calvaro mare Katchina Mail drew a sigh from the home supporters so it was Britain's Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Corlato who set the first real target when crossing the line clear in 35.15 seconds.

Then Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom Bois Margot set off for France, also however lowering one along the way and when Switzerland's Daniel Etter and Peu a Peu did likewise then Stockdale still held the advantage at the half-way point.

Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum would make no mistake with Le Mans, slotting in behind the Englishman when more than a half-second slower but Steve Guerdat raised the temperature dramatically when galloping home to take the lead with Jalisca Solier who stopped the clock on 33.78 seconds.

Christian Ahlmann's clear in 35.58 seconds with Lorenzo would now put him comfortably into the ribbons without challenging the leader, but a place in the line-up was never going to satisfy Schroder who entered the arena filled with determination to win.

“I saw a bit of Steve's round and it was very fast – I thought I will try to see if I can be faster and my mare – she gave me everything!” he pointed out.

It wasn't quite over yet because last into the ring was the formidable British partnership of Michael Whitaker and Suncal Portofino, but a fence down saw them having to settle for sixth place behind Ahlmann in fifth, Michaels-Beerbaum in fourth, Stockdale in third and Guerdat in runner-up spot.

“Milano is only just back after a break and this was her first show with big classes so I am very happy with her” Schroder said, and when asked if the 14 year old is the best of his superb string of rides he answered – “Milan, Berlin, Monaco – I love them all!”

So now with 38 points on the Western European League leaderboard he is just a few points short of a qualifying place for the final. The top-18 will go through from this hard-fought league, but something in the region of 40 points is required to comfortably make the cut. Guerdat's second placing today has rocketed him up to joint-third place on the leaderboard which continues to be headed by Ireland's Jessica Kuerten while Michaels-Beerbaum has now moved into second.

For those still seeking those elusive points however time is quickly running out. Next weekend there is another chance in the Spanish town of Vigo but then only s'Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands remains before the complete line-up for the 30th finale to the world's most exciting indoor jumping series is decided…….

CSI-W Bordeaux – France

Grand Prix -W. AM5 – 40 combinations

1º Gerco Schröder (Hol) / Eurocommerce Milano / 0 / 0 – 33,52
2º Steve Guerdat ( Sui ) Jalisca Solier / 0 / 0 – 33,78
3º Tim Stockdale ( Gbr ) Fresh Direct Corlato / 0 / 0 – 35,15
4º Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum ( Ale ) Le Mans / 0 / 0 – 35,54
5º Christian Ahlmann ( Ale ) Lorenzo / 0 / 0 – 35,58
6º Michael Whitaker ( Gbr ) Suncal Portofino 63 / 0 / 4 – 35,59
7º Patrice Delaveau ( Fra ) Katchina Mail /0 / 4 – 35,83
8º Daniel Etter ( Sui ) Peu a Peu / 0 / 4 – 35,92
9º Kevin Staut ( Fra ) Kraque Boom*Bois Margot / 0 / 4 – 37,67
10º Lars Nieberg ( Ale ) Lucie / 0 / 8 – 36,05

28º Luciana Diniz ( Por ) Meautry's Locarno 9 – 75,03