Banzai battles for a Paris place
Horse & Hound|June 20, 2024
World champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzair Du Loir top the hotly contested CCI4*-S, while Belgium's Lara de Liederkerke-Meier takes her first CCI5* win on a home-bred mare
BECKY MURRAY
Banzai battles for a Paris place

Longines Luhmühlen, Germany

YASMIN INGHAM has given the British Olympic selectors something to think about with a superb double podium performance in Germany.

This year's Luhmühlen CCI4*-S Meẞmer Trophy, which attracted 67 entries, was a particularly significant competition as the final event before the announcement of the British eventing team for Paris. Yasmin topped the class with 13-year-old gelding Banzai Du Loir, owned by Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund.

"It was a very important weekend for me and there was a lot of pressure involved," said Yasmin. “All of us here had the goal of being selected for an Olympic Games. I wanted to make sure that I was doing everything I possibly could to put myself and Banzai in the best place for that.”

She did that by delivering a textbook clear in the showjumping on Sunday, with nothing to add to her twophase score of 29.3. When overnight leader Michael Jung knocked the last part of the treble and picked up 0.8 of a time-penalty aboard Fischerchipmunk FRH, he made way for Yasmin and Banzai to take the honours.

Mike Etherington-Smith’s twisty track, which produced 43 jumping clears and only two inside the 6min 56sec optimum time, provided the perfect setting for world champions Yasmin and Banzai to show their prowess again. They jumped clear, adding 1.2 time-penalties to their dressage.

“We got a little close to the brush in the water [fence 19ab], but it was just because he has such a huge stride,” explained Yasmin. “He has a lot of presence in the dressage, in the cross-country he’s brave and fast, and in the showjumping he’s very agile. He holds the ability to basically come out on top – or nearly – in each phase, and that’s what makes a great event horse.

“I feel lucky that I’m able to ride such an athlete.”

Yasmin added “there are many British riders and horses that could win gold in Paris”.

Denne historien er fra June 20, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 20, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HORSE & HOUNDSe alt
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Horse & Hound

Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test

Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Michael Eilberg
Horse & Hound

Michael Eilberg

The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport

time-read
7 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Schooling success
Horse & Hound

Schooling success

Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils

time-read
5 mins  |
September 12, 2024
How to get a job in hunting
Horse & Hound

How to get a job in hunting

The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers

time-read
7 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Burke's Affair to remember
Horse & Hound

Burke's Affair to remember

A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
Horse & Hound

'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'

The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Hamlett takes centre stage
Horse & Hound

Hamlett takes centre stage

Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Horse & Hound

'This is the ultimate five-star test'

Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions

time-read
3 mins  |
September 12, 2024