Everybody knows Daniel Etter after 's Hertogenbosch

“It’s always nicer to beat Marcus Ehning and Michael Whitaker than somebody nobody knows”, said Daniel Etter after winning the final leg of the Rolex FEI™ World Cup competition in ‘s Hertogenbosch. The big smile on the face of Etter, son of the famous horse dealer Gerhard Etter, said it all, when he added: “Maybe now people know me.”

The Swiss rider already was qualified for the Rolex FEI™ World Cup final and completed a very successful indoor season winning the prestigious European final in ‘s Hertogenbosch. Etter could not overtake Gerco Schröder, who didn’t make it to the jump off at Indoor Brabant but nevertheless won the Western European league. Etter took second position in the Western European league, leaving Marcus Ehning and Edwina Alexander tying for third.

Daniel Etter was the big surprise of the 13^th and final leg of the Rolex FEI™ World Cup competition. Having the likes of Ludger Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat, Michael Whitaker and Marcus Ehning for competition, Etter was not the biggest name on the list. But in show jumping any top rider can win a top class anytime.

Not pleased

“As soon as I left the arena, I knew Daniel would beat me”, said Marcus Ehning. “I was pleased with the course building, I was pleased with my horse, but I was not very pleased with my own riding. I could have skipped a stride going to the last fence and in some turns I could have done one less too. So I was not at all surprised with Daniel’s win.”

The last leg of the Western European World Cup competition was a classical show jumping thriller. Building up to a climax, the 7000 spectators enjoyed a repetition of riders beating the best time, the last rider being the winner. Daniel Etter really fought his way to the finish, stepping up the gas in the first long line, cutting corners in sharp turns and racing to the last diagonally placed oxer.

Door open

Marcus Ehning indeed left the door open. Sandro Boy jumped with breathtaking ease, but jumping magician Ehning was not as brilliant and sharp as one year before, when he won the World Cup class in ‘s Hertogenbosch, also riding Sandro Boy. Instead, the winner of last year’s Grand Prix of ‘s Hertogenbosch this time took home the 30.000 euro’s and 20 World Cup points of the Dutch qualifier.

Portofino’s sixth final

With a jump off containing two long lines, this competition did not seem to suit Michael Whitaker’s top horse Portofino. The 15 year old Dutch bred mare does not have a big stride, but she is hard to beat in sharp turns. Yet, Michael Whitaker kicked her on in the long lines, Portofino jumped as well as ever and secured the 15 points Michael needed so badly in order to qualify for Las Vegas. “That was all I aimed for”, said Michael, who ended up 19^th in the Western European league. Portofino is a feared competitor in World Cup finals, time and time again she proved to be very successful. In her present form she can really do well, competing in her sixth FEI World Cup final.

In pain

Not quite sure of her place in the final is Christina Liebherr. The Swiss rider had a terrible fall in the class preceding the World Cup competition. Christina must have been in pain, jumping wonderfully clear aboard her keen LB No Mercy. In the jump off, the son of World Cup winner Libero H gave his rider a hard time cutting turns, but fourth place was a fantastic result. Cristina Liebherr may go to Las Vegas, depending on the number of qualified riders who decide not to participate in the final.

Jos Lansink and Jessica Kürten will not go to Las Vegas, their places will be taken by Geir Gulliksen and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. Christina Liebherr wil need a third qualified rider declining to jump in the final.

Ludger going to Vegas

Ludger Beerbaum proved that he can do without his Olympic horse All Inclusive. Denis Lynch competed the Arpeggio offspring in ‘s Hertogenbosch. Beerbaum rode one of the other horses of his string, Coupe de Coeur, to 5^th place, securing his ticket to Las Vegas.

Already qualified, Steve Guerdat won 4500 euro’s prize money, riding Tresor to 6^th place. Jeroen Dubbeldam made the Dutch hearts beat faster. His new horse BMC Van Grunsven Whisper showed all the potential of a championships horse, taking 7^th place. Leon Thijssen, together with Max Kühner and Denis Lynch on the reserve list for Las Vegas, ended up 8^th aboard his scopy gelding Olaf.

Results of the Rolex FEI™ World Cup competition in ‘s Hertogenbosch

1)      Daniel Etter (SUI), Peu a Peu, 0-0/35.93

2)      Marcus Ehning (GER), Sandro Boy, 0-0/37.45

3)      Michael Whitaker (GBR), Portofino, 0-0/37.62

4)      Christina Liebherr (SUI), LB No Mercy, 0-0/37.68

5)      Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Coupe de Coeur, 0-0/36.69

6)      Steve Guerdat (SUI), Tresor, 0-0/37.83

7)      Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), BMC Van Grunsven Whisper, 0-0/38.73

8)      Leon Thijssen (NED), Olaf, 0-0/38.97

9)      Rutherford Latham (SPA), Guarana Champeix, 0-4/40.14

10)  Edwina Alexander (AUS), Isovlas Socrates, 0-4/42.91

Standings after 13 of 13 Rolex FEI™ World Cup competitions

1 Gerco Schröder (NED), 78

2 Daniel Etter (SUI), 65

3 Edwina Alexander (AUS), Marcus Ehning (GER), 64

5 Albert Zoer (NED), 63

6 Steve Guerdat (SUI), 62

7 Thomas Velin (DEN), 56

8 Jos Lansink (BEL), Rutherford Latham (SPA), 54

10 Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), Rodrigo Pessoa, 49

12 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), 48

13 Jessica Kürten (SUI), Lars Nieberg (GER), 47

15 Helena Lundbäck (SWE), Mikael Forsten (FIN), 45

17 Ludger Beerbaum (GER), 44

18 Ben Maher (GBR), 43

19 Michael Whitaker (GBR), 42

20 Marco Kutscher (GER), 41