Germany’s Daniel Deusser could not be caught in Friday afternoon’s Vector Empresas 1.55m Qualifier to kick off five-star action at Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) in Monterrey, Mexico. Leading off at The League’s seventh leg of the season — and only stop in Mexico — Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom emerged victorious from a seven-horse jump-off over tracks set by course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA).
With just under a second to spare, Deusser piloted his 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Tobago Z x Caretino), owned together with Stephex Stables, to a time of 39.63 seconds. They bumped leading Canadian and world no. 1 female rider Erynn Ballard to second in the irons of De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa for owners Ilan Ferder and Andrea Hernandez Velasco. They stopped the clock at 40.30 seconds.
Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) climbed atop the podium in third on home turf riding H5 Porthos Maestro Wh Z to a time of 40.94 seconds.
While not the fastest horse in his string, Deusser was impressed with Otello de Guldenboom’s effort amongst the stacked field of 39 challengers. “Winning today is something that makes me proud, and it shows me that he’s learning and that he wants to do it,” said Deusser of the horse that’s been his ride since last summer. “Compared to Erynn’s horse, I think my horse is naturally a little faster and maybe that was what made up the second that I was in front of her.”
Deusser is making his debut at Club Hípico La Silla during MLSJ this week, saying, “I’ve heard a lot about La Silla—even during my childhood—and it was already a famous show. I’ve unfortunately never been here, so arriving here two days ago, it was impressive to see. I hope it’s not my last time here.”
Deusser will next point Otello de Guldenboom at the 5* GNP Seguros Grand Prix on Sunday.
Action continues at MLSJ Monterrey on Friday as teams go to battle in the ClipMyHorse.tv 5* Team Competition. Tune in live at 3:30pm CST on MLSJ TV.
Results here.
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