Rising Star Sophie Hinners Sparkles in Verona

Just a week after her partner Richard Vogel (GER) claimed victory in Lyon (FRA), 26-year-old Sophie Hinners (GER) made her own mark on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League in Verona (ITA), winning the fourth qualifier of the season.

Forty riders fought for a spot in the jump-off, with only five advancing and just three completing the course without faults. Hinners, aboard the 12-year-old gelding Iron Dames my Prins, outpaced her seasoned rivals with a time of 37.91 seconds. Ben Maher (GBR) on the bay stallion Point Break clocked in at 38.23 seconds to secure second place, while Marcus Ehning (GER) with Coolio 42 finished third at 38.35 seconds.

This season marks Hinners’ debut year competing consistently at 5* level. Today was only her second Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier—and her very first jump-off with Iron Dames my Prins. Whether it was raw talent or beginner’s luck that propelled her to victory, Marcus Ehning has no doubts: “Sophie has an amazing season. It’s a good horse, and she is an incredible rider.” Ben Maher echoed this praise, saying, “She is young, but she is a huge threat!”

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Team Support and Vogel’s Encouragement

Although new to riding Iron Dames my Prins since July, Hinners remains modest, crediting her success to her team’s support. “My team colleague David Will (GER) rode this horse before me and he educated him so well. The horse knew what his job was today. David knows him inside out, so he helps me a lot during trainings at home. He even called me after the first round today, to discuss the jump-off. Also Rich (Richard Vogel) helps me when he can and is a great motivator for me,” she said. (Ed. note: Vogel, her boyfriend, was competing and winning at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto the same weekend.)

While Hinners faced more experienced riders, she had confidence in the course design. “The course was tough today, but I knew it would fit my horse. He is a big scopey horse. He is not scared and he jumps effortlessly. That’s perfect in a course where oxers are wide and fences come quick after turns. So I felt very positive when I walked to the stable to take him with me for the warm-up.”

A Costly Slip for Maher

Though pleased with his performance, Ben Maher faced a momentary setback in the jump-off when Point Break stumbled slightly upon landing. “That took us a little bit of time to recover. This horse needs experience. It is a young horse and I was happy to see that he didn’t lose his head when he tripped,” Maher reflected.

With ten Italian riders competing, hopes were high for a home-country podium finish — yet history proved difficult to overcome. In 23 years of Jumping Verona, no Italian has claimed first place. Though Lorenzo de Luca looked promising, his horse Curcuma Il Palazzetto knocked down a rail, ending his chances.

Standings Update and Hinners’ Future Goals

Hinners now stands 11th in the provisional rankings of the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2024/25, tied with Robert Whitaker, while Vogel sits in 8th place. Reflecting on their shared success, Hinners was thrilled: “What’s happening now is really something very special. I had it in my mind after Rich’s win last week: how cool would it be if I could win this week? But didn’t believe it could happen. It’s amazing. I still cannot believe it.”

Some seasoned athletes including Kevin Staut (FRA), Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP), Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA), and Steve Guerdat (SUI), each had a fence down in the first round, yet their fast times secured them places in the top 15 and some qualification points.

After this fourth leg, Kevin Staut (FRA) leads the Western European League standings, followed by Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Steve Guerdat (SUI), Yuri Mansur (BRA), and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP).

Looking Ahead to Stuttgart

The next leg of the Western European League will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Stuttgart, Germany. While Hinners won’t be competing there, she has her sights set on London, hoping to earn additional points toward qualifying for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel (SUI). Reflecting her characteristic humility, she said, “Basel is the goal, but we will see how things go.”

Full results here.