The first $500,000 class of the Winter Equestrian Festival Saturday night showcased a range of brilliant talent, but as he so often does, Germany’s Richie Vogel outshone them all.
Riding Gangster Montdesir (what an unflattering name for such a lovely horse), the European champion topped an eight-horse tiebreaker in the Fidelity Investments fixture before a capacity crowd at Wellington International.
Although the Selle Francais stallion is just turning 10, Ganster demonstrated plenty of polish going for time, edging runner-up Ben Maher of Great Britain on Enjeau de Grisien by 0.35 seconds after finishing the jump-off in 42.65 seconds. France’s Nina Mallevaey completed an all-foreign podium by taking third place on Dynastie de Beaufour 0/43.37.
“It was a quite thrilling jump-off for me,” said Richie.
“I tried not to leave the door too much open, but not risk too much,” he continued, noting Ben and the USA’s Lillie Keenan, who was fourth on Argan de Belliard, would be riding after he completed his round.
Richie Vogel and Gangster Montdesir on their way to victory in Wellington.
Noting that his mount by Kanan is “fairly green, I thought he jumped outstanding and was really with me everywhere,” Richie said proudly.
Ben said he has “grown up together,” with Enjeau, a son of Toulan he has ridden since the Selle Francais was seven.
“He’s always been in the shadows of some of the other horses, and he’s had to step up in previous months. He’s really taken the role on well,” said Ben.
“He’s been a little unlucky here and there, but he’s a very sharp, high-energy horse, and he’s an incredible learner. That’s been his biggest asset; he really wants to be a great horse.”
A field of 39 rode over the course designed by Gregory Bodo, who laid out the routes for the 2024 Paris Olympics with Santiago Varela.
World number two Kent Farrington of the U.S. was first to jump-off on Greya, who had the most outstanding record of any horse in the class, with nine jump-off wins and 11 podiums.
However, having done little with Greya since winning the Rolex grand prix in Geneva during December, Kent admitted to being “a little bit rusty. if I’m honest, from her top form.”
Kent nearly pulled it off, clocked in 40.43 seconds for the fastest time of the jump-off only to topple the front rail of the final fence, an oxer. He wound up fifth.
Fidelity winner Richie Vogel, center, with runner-up Ben Maher and third-place Nina Mallevaey.
The tight time allowed of 83 seconds in the first round caught a number of horses, as did a gold plank five strides from an oxer. The triple combination, with multi-colored rails as the A and C elements and a horizontally striped green rails in the middle, also incurred a good share of the penalties.
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