Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer looks well set for a place at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in April after recording an emphatic victory in the eighth leg of the Western European League qualifying series on home ground in Zurich today. With just two further opportunities to make the cut still remaining, the pressure is building to boiling point. But Schwizer’s result has moved him well within reach of the coveted qualification zone as the closing stages approach.

Runner-up today was Belgian-based British rider Joe Clee with the talented Diablesse de Muze, while 2011 FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion and winner of the third leg of the current series at Verona, Italy, last November, Christian Ahlmann from Germany, slotted into third with Aragon Z. A total of nine went through to the jump-off against the clock, and Schwizer clinched it with a brilliant effort from his nine-year-old horse when third-last to go.

Quite a test

The first-round track proved quite a test despite its apparent simplicity. It required forward riding from beginning to end, and even more so once the time-allowed was lowered from 66 seconds to 63. Course designer Gerard Lachat was assisted by fellow-Swiss, Rolf Ludi, in creating a track that increased in difficulty as it progressed, and which demanded significant commitment from both horse and rider.

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