Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee win in 36.42 seconds as 15 riders contest a dramatic jump-off beside Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace.
An extraordinary 36.42-second jump-off secured victory for the German rider at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna, where 15 combinations went clear in the opening round and the margins at the top were unforgiving.
Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee delivered a masterclass in speed and precision to win the CSI5* 1.50m at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna, leaving a formidable field chasing shadows beneath the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.
The German combination stopped the clock at 36.42 seconds, comfortably ahead of Belgium’s Nathan Budd and Ely des Rosiers Z, who finished second in 37.76 seconds. Gudrun Patteet and Baron – RR Z completed the podium in 37.89 seconds, giving Belgium two of the three places on the podium.
It was a performance that required considerable nerve. Fifteen combinations had survived a demanding first round without a fault, and the resulting jump-off contained enough genuine speed to make a winning time almost impossible to predict.
Eckermann, however, had a rather convincing answer.
A partnership built on years of trust
For Eckermann, the victory carried significance beyond another international result. With her family watching and strong support from the Iron Dames contingent, she had an unusually personal reason to savour the occasion.
“It is so special to win at this amazing venue because I have my family here, and so much support from the Iron Dames family – it has made the atmosphere even more special.”
Her partnership with Chao Lee is equally personal. The mare was born at her father’s place, and their many years together have established the understanding that becomes particularly valuable when a jump-off demands both commitment and accuracy.
“Chao Lee and I were fighting right until the very end. It is such a long and great story with her, she was born at my father’s place, and we have so much trust in each other after many years together.”
That trust was evident in Vienna, where hesitation could have cost a place on the podium and excessive ambition could just as easily have sent a pole tumbling.
Fifteen clears and a race against the clock
The imposing surroundings offered little consolation to those struggling with the first-round course.
Austria’s Max Kühner and EIC Quantum Robin V were among the combinations unable to reach the jump-off, collecting four faults despite an attacking performance. Henrik von Eckermann retired Hylanderhof’s Saruschka, while Olivier Philippaerts also withdrew Ragazzo AV.
When Edwina Tops-Alexander and Cydello opened the jump-off with a clear in 42.48 seconds, they established the first meaningful target. Denis Lynch subsequently recorded 42.73 seconds aboard Ping Pong van de Lentamel, while Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and Code Black negotiated the course in 43.06 seconds.
Other riders found considerable speed but paid for it.
Niels Bruynseels and Chacco’s Lando OL finished in 38.88 seconds, although a mistake at the double left them on four faults. Giacomo Casadei and Chagracon PS suffered at the same obstacle, while Thibault Philippaerts and Rakker van St Anneke had their chances compromised by a rail at the opening fence.
The combination of speed and a clean score was proving particularly difficult to achieve.
Sophie Hinners sets the pace before Eckermann strikes
Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo transformed the competition with a clear round in 37.94 seconds.
Their performance took more than four seconds off Tops-Alexander’s opening time and established a target that looked considerably less inviting for those still waiting to enter the arena.
Eckermann and Chao Lee promptly made it look rather generous.
Attacking the shortened course with remarkable conviction, the German rider combined tight turns with the sort of accurate jumping that allows speed to translate into a competitive advantage. They crossed the finish line in 36.42 seconds, establishing a lead that nobody could overturn.
Austria’s Katharina Rhomberg came tantalisingly close on the clock aboard Cuma 5, finishing in 36.96 seconds. Unfortunately, the black GC oxer came down, and four faults ended her challenge.
Compatriot Bianca Babanitz and Dakato also collected four faults, ruling out a home victory in front of the sold-out crowd.
Ireland’s Tom Wachman and Obora’s Laura finished with eight faults despite a rapid 37.88-second round.
As the remaining competitors entered the arena, Eckermann’s advantage began to look increasingly substantial.
Belgian challengers complete the Vienna podium
Nathan Budd and Ely des Rosiers Z delivered the most convincing challenge to Eckermann’s lead.
The Belgian combination produced a clear in 37.76 seconds, finding an effective balance between speed and control without managing to match Chao Lee’s blistering time.
Gudrun Patteet followed with another determined performance aboard Baron – RR Z, finishing in 37.89 seconds. That was enough to move ahead of Hinners and claim third place.
Maikel van der Vleuten and Quastor vd Heffinck subsequently collected four faults, leaving Ireland’s Ciaran Nalon with the final opportunity to change the result.
Nalon and Christians Carado delivered a composed clear in 39.90 seconds, securing fifth place.
The victory belonged to Eckermann, whose margin of 1.34 seconds over Budd was considerable in a jump-off featuring this much quality.
With the CSI5* 1.50m decided, attention turns to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna, where valuable championship points and one of the weekend’s major titles will be contested.
For Eckermann and Chao Lee, however, Saturday had already provided an occasion worth remembering. Winning beneath Schönbrunn Palace, with family watching and a trusted partner beneath her, was quite a way to spend an evening.
