Vogel Has the Magic Touch In the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023

Schou Slides Into the Overall Lead with Schwizer

Consistency leads to success in competition, and Round 2 of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final on Thursday, April 6, 2023, tested just that. It was Germany’s Richard Vogel and his sensational mount United Touch S who could not be caught, claiming the top spot. Young talent Harry Charles of Great Britain finished in second with Balou du Reventon, and Andreas Schou (DEN) rounded out the top three with his Darc de Lux.

Riders returned in reverse order of their results from Round 1 for the technical course designed by FEI Level 4 Course Designer Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR). Rails fell throughout as horses and riders navigated the challenging questions posed. Some of the leading contenders had faults, while others moved up the leaderboard. Ultimately, nine combinations jumped clear to advance to the jump-off, which featured two tight rollback turns broken up by longer lines across the arena in the CHI Health Center Omaha.

First to contest the short course was France’s Julien Epaillard with Donatello d’Auge. Though his time of 32.97 was blazing fast, Epaillard incurred penalties at the second and last fences for an eight-fault score. Victoria Gulliksen (NOR) then delivered the first double-clear performance, crossing the timers in 38.71 seconds. Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue followed but had a heartbreaking rail at the last fence. Next to contest was Charles, who produced an electric effort, stopping the clock in 35.25 seconds fault-free. His lead didn’t last long, though, as Vogel shaved fractions off the time, finishing in 35.11 seconds. Schou and Pius Schwizer (SUI) both came close with times of 35.58 and 36.18 seconds respectively, but in the end, the day belonged to Vogel.

“I think everyone can see how amazing this horse is,” expressed Vogel of the 11-year-old Westphalian stallion (Untouched x Lux Z) owned by Julius-Peter Sinnack. “He has such a big stride, and that doesn’t necessarily make it easy in such a small and delicate indoor. He just gives his best and tries his heart out. In such a jump-off, I was lucky enough to leave a stride out here and there, and that suited us.”

Vogel, who has recently been working with Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2017 champion McLain Ward (USA), has been having an incredible season, notching wins on both sides of the pond in Europe and in the U.S.

“The biggest factor is to have such great horses, and the other is to have a great team behind me,” said Vogel of his recipe for success. “You can only be as good as the team behind you, and you’re only a good rider if you have a good horse too, so I’m lucky to have both of these for the moment.”

Though Charles had to settle for the runner-up spot, he was delighted with the performance of his horse. The Oldenburg stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Continue) owned by Ann Thompson has had several top riders in the irons, with Charles taking over the reins in December. Since then, they’ve wasted no time in solidifying their partnership.

“I don’t think I really need to say too much about him,” said the 23-year-old rider. “From what you saw tonight, he’s not really a horse, he’s a pegasus. For sure, he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. Even at 17 years old, he’s still one of the best horses in the world. I’ve been watching him when I was growing up, and it’s just an honor and a privilege to be sat on him. I love every minute, every time we go in the ring. He’s the best.”

Schou was equally pleased with the 12-year-old Holsteiner (Darco x Contender) owned by Schou Absolute Horses. Bred in Denmark, Schou and his wife purchased Darc de Lux as a five-year-old, and it was his wife who brought along the talented stallion initially. Schou eventually took over the ride just before the horse turned nine, and they have gone on to jump the Olympic Games, the FEI World Championships, the European Championships, and now the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023. Despite their immense experience together, Schou noted the course was a worthy challenge.

“The course designer played with a lot of different things,” he stated. “He asked the horses several times to stretch and then come back before high big verticals. Today, my horse came out like he did all indoor season and fought for me the whole way around and gave me that clear round that was needed.”

At the conclusion of Round 2, overall standings were determined based on the combined results from both evenings of competition. Riders earned points in each round based on their placings, and their total scores resulted in a ranking. The point differential between the ranking leader and the subsequent riders was multiplied by .5, resulting in the total penalties each rider carries into the Final Round on Saturday, April 8. Fractional penalties are rounded down, which left several riders on tied scores.

With his victory in Round 2, Vogel rocketed up the overall standings from 13th to fourth. Charles moved up from 17th to tied-seventh, while Schou ascended from sixth into the shared lead with Schwizer, who finished fourth in both rounds. Schou and Schwizer will now start the Final Round on zero penalties. Round 1 winner Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) now sits in third place overall and will carry one penalty into Saturday’s deciding class.

“Of course, we are super excited and very proud of our horse coming here in super shape,” commented Schou of his current standing. “Now we will focus on giving him some nice attention and keep him fit until Saturday evening. He’s very special. When you have a horse for seven years and he keeps on delivering for you and giving you so many adventures, you are really grateful because not many riders will have a horse like that.

“All season in Europe it’s been exciting because Omaha has been mentioned 100 times,” continued Schou of the importance of the Final. “For us it’s a big thing to go overseas and jump on the other side, so it’s very nice to come here and they have put up a perfect show for us.”

Hunter Holloway, who was leading the U.S. contingent after Round 1, produced another stellar performance with Pepita Con Spita, finishing in seventh to sit in tied-fifth overall.

“I’m thrilled with my horse,” enthused Holloway of the 12-year-old Westphalian mare (DSP Con Spirit x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp. “She’s stronger than ever and has really come to play this week. She’s definitely on the top of her game, and I’m just trying to keep up with her. She’s very clever and smart and gives it her all, all the time.”

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023 comes to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, April 8. With only 10 penalties separating the top 11 athletes, the competition is still wide open.

Click HERE for full results and HERE for the overall standings after Round 2.