Marcus Ehning clinched a victory at the Grand Prix Ciudad de Madrid, a pivotal event within the Longines FEI World Cup circuit. Riding "Coolio 42," the well established German equestrian set a formidable pace and secured a historic win, becoming the first rider to claim this title for the 3rd time for this 10th anniversary edition.
Ehning, a prominent athlete in show jumping, continued to weave his success story in Madrid, adding this triumph to his previous victories at both the Global Champions Tour and the Longines FEI World Cup in the Spanish capital. In a thrilling display of skill and finesse at IFEMA Madrid Horse Week 2023, he mesmerized a packed audience, emphasizing the growing public interest of the sport.
The event surpassed expectations, drawing in an enthusiastic crowd eager to witness the showdown among the top-ranked riders in the FEI standings. Ten riders advanced to the jump-off, showcasing remarkable talent in a high-stakes competition with a prize of 163 000 Euros. The jump-off featured a stellar lineup, including Henrik von Eckermann, Ben Maher, Julien Epaillard, Kevin Staut, Pedro Veniss, Olivier Robert, and Jeanne Sadran, as well as Spaniards Mariano Martinez Bastida and Teresa Blazquez-Abascal, setting the stage for a captivating battle that enthralled the audience.
Ehning's mastery was evident as he guided the 10 year old gelding "Coolio 42," a relatively new partnership for him, through the jump-off with precision and grace. Clocking in at 42.13 seconds, he edged past the competition, outpacing Ben Maher's earlier leading time of 42.38 seconds with "Enjeu de Grisien" to claim the top spot. Maher secured second place, while crowd favorite Martínez Bastida rounded off the top three.
For the participants, like Martínez Bastida, the event was a stepping stone toward the World Cup Final in Riyadh, reflecting the significance of accumulating points in this prestigious series. French rider Jeanne Sadran gave a valiant effort, finishing in fourth position, concluding an event that showcased the pinnacle of equestrian talent on the world stage.
