He has it – Nick Skelton wins the Mercedes-Benz Championship

“I won the Mercedes” – Nick Skelton had barely stepped out of the Mercedes convertible and grabbed his phone to spread the news of his win in the Mercedes-Benz Championat.

The Hamburg spectators at the German Jumping and Dressage Derby experienced the European Championship bronze medallist and his Holstein bred gelding Carlo in best form: the quick British rider's fault free round in 46,53 seconds was enough to secure the key to the elegant Mercedes-Benz convertible.

The Swiss rider Steve Guerdat finished in second place on the Holstein bred gelding Carpalo. “I'm very happy that he did such a good job. I see a lot of potential in this horse”, said the Swiss Nations' Cup rider. France's Simon Delestre followed in third place with Napoli du Ry. The French national trainer recommended that his “first group” start at the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. The best German rider was fifth place finisher Ludger Beerbaum with Chiara. The four-time Olympic champion revealed his thoughts as he said, “I have Gotha and Chiara here, but as good as Chiara was today, I think I'll ride her Saturday in the Global Champions Tour competition as well”.

The 14,500 spectators triggered a lot of enthusiasm on the first – and somewhat cool – day of the German Jumping and Dressage Derby. They were well prepared and conquered the spectator bank and bleachers. For example in the dressage stadium. That's where the Grand Prix de Dressage was decided. The top three finishers in this international competition will be starting in the German Dressage Derby, with change of horses, on Sunday: Ex World Champion Hubertus Schmidt (GER), Aat van Essen (NED) and the defending champion Kathleen Keller (GER). Van Essen was hilarious: “I wanted to come here so I could watch the changes of horses…and now I even get to ride”.

The first qualification for the German Jumping Derby was won by, to date, a relatively unknown Polish rider: Oscar Murawski with Continuo. The 23 year old has lived in Scheverdingen (GER) for the past four years and is competing at only his fifth international tournament.