Scott Brash runner up in Aachen Grand Prix

Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen yesterday, keeping 2015 Rolex Grand Slam winner Scott Brash in second place.

Drama

There was some drama in the first round when not one starter posted a clear round. Gerco Schroder (NED) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) were on top with just one time fault, while Philipp Weishaupt picked up two time pen.

Clear rounds were much easier to come by in the second round, with six of the four faulters in the round one going clear in the second.

But none could better the clear of Philipp Weishaupt and his nine-year-old Holstein-bred stallion LB Convall, and they claimed the €330,000 first prize.

“I can’t really believe it at the moment,” said during the prize giving ceremony. “When I walked the course, it was clear to me that it was going to be very, very difficult today. But then, everything simply went so well, it was simply a perfect day.”

It was a great weekend for Philipp, who not only won his first major Grand Prix but also got engaged to US showjumper Bliss Heers.

Live contender

He is now the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, a prize for any rider who can win the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ and the CHI Geneva Grands Prix in succession.

Only one man has achieved this to date, and that’s Britain’s Scott Brash. But while he missed out on the Grand Prix this time round, he was delighted to finish runner up with Ursula XII, who has returned to top level competition after a lengthy lay off.