The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
International Jumping Riders Club
Katharina Rhomberg triumphs in Ascona
Austrian rider Katharina Rhomberg claimed the Grand Prix of Ascona presented by Jade
& Co with her 11-year-old gelding Colestus Csmbridge.
She finished ahead of Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano and compatriot Max Kühner. Barbara Schnieper, the first Swiss rider, and her mare Licolle were unable to repeat last year’s victory. More than 6,000 people attended the competitions of the 33rd edition of CSI 4* Ascona.
Third-last to go in a jump-off featuring fifteen competitors, Katharina Rhomberg knew she would
have to take every risk to challenge the time set by Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano, riding Esteban de
Hus. She could count on the partnership she has developed with Colestus Cambridge, with whom she has already won two major classes this season.
I come to Ascona every year with great pleasure, ever since I was a young rider. It’s a great show and I’m here with my best horse. He has only been in my stables for a few years. I first rode him in young horse classes before gradually moving him up to the bigger competitions. This is his third Grand Prix victory of the season. He is very lively, but also very clever, which really makes my life easier,
explained the smiling Austrian rider.
The crowd was treated to a particularly hard-fought jump-off.
The initial course was demanding, Perhaps the time allowed was a little generous, but for the public, I think it was good to have a great jump-off!
Katharina Rhomberg acknowledged.
Among the riders who came close to victory, Switzerland’s Edouard Schmitz posted the fastest time, almost two seconds quicker than the Austrian. He could have claimed the Grand Prix of Ascona with Gamin van’t Naastveldhof, but a knocked-down rail dashed his hopes and relegated him to ninth place. Competitive sport can sometimes be very cruel.
As the first Swiss rider, Barbara Schnieper and her faithful Licolle also kept hopes of another
triumph alive for a long time. Clear over the jumps, they were nevertheless unable to match the
times of the top four and finished fifth. Ascona also came close to witnessing an Austrian one-two,
with Max Kühner and EIC Cornets Lady. But the speed of the experienced Italian Emanuele
Gaudiano and Esteban de Hus put paid to those hopes. Fifth to go in the jump-off, Britain’s Holly
Smith and her mare Fruselli held the lead for a long time before eventually finishing fourth in the
Grand Prix of Ascona.
The organisers in Ticino, delighted to have welcomed more than 6,000 visitors over the four days
of competition, are already looking forward to welcoming the public back from 1 to 5 September
2027.
Press Release, Images © CSI-Ascona Sportfot.
