The competitive season in Vaulting always ends with the World Cup Final. This year the event took place a little later than usual, but for the second consecutive year was held in Basel (SUI), at the St. Jakobshalle, between Aprile 4th and 6th.
The World Cup Final is not a competition like any other, it always puts human and equine athletes to test for various reasons: firstly, because it usually takes place after the relatively long period of winter stop from competitions, and then because it has its own formula, different from the usual CVI, at least for individuals. The competition takes place on two tests only (there are no compulsories), starting immediately with the technical test, always the most demanding, followed the next day by the freestyle. The maximum duration of the exercises is also slightly longer, not the classic minute, but 70 seconds, which on one hand allows you to perform the test with a little more calmness, but on the other hand also forces you to review steps and figures to “stay in line” with the music. It often happens that, especially on the first day of competition, the horses enter the arena a little nervous. It is quite usual during CVI, but in the big arenas where the World Cup finals take place, lit only at the center and with the stands in the dark, the horses are almost always much more suspicious. Even if the day before the start of the competition itself they warm up to get accustomed to the ring, it’s one thing to start the acclimatization with the compulsory, and other with the technical test, which is certainly more demanding in terms of stress and exercises done.
Eight female individuals, eight male individuals and five pas de deux took part to the event, in accord with FEI rules. The selection is made according to the Fei ranking, which is based on the results of the CVIs carried out during the season in the different continents.
The predictions of the eve, quite predictable for individuals, have been substantially confirmed. In the men’s class, the world vice champion Quentin Jabet (FRA, J. Schönteich, Goldjung), definitely dominates, winning both the tests. Jabet proved once again to be almost flawless in execution, and unsurpassed in the interpretation and artistic construction of his freetest: in fact, the jury honoured him with a 10 in the artistic score.
He is followed by a great Julian Wilfling (GER, A. Zebrak, Aragorn 102), who has announced his retirement and thus concludes his career as a vaulter. Istrionic representative of the German team, Julian has always given a touch of originality, he has always been able to “make fun” choosing themes often light, ironic, out of the box, themes that he has always interpreted with ease and joy. On the third step of the podium Thomas Brüsewitz (GER, M. Hausmann, William II Z), author, among other things, of a splendid freetest. Just off the podium, but definitely in great growth, Davide Zanella (ITA, C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi) who was betrayed by a fall in the freetest during the execution of a very difficult exercise of his routine. Not a very positive return, however, for Jannik Heiland (GER, L. Hansen, Rey Rubino), the champion of the past edition, who could not find the right pace to complete the exercises without smudging. Excellent performance also for the emerging overseas Talmage Conrad (CAN, C. Ender, San Felice Z) who performed a complete freestyle, full of exercises and well articulated. The ranking continues with Lukas Heppler (SUI, M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Acardi van de Kapel), a constant presence of the World Cup, which always gives enjoyable exercises, and with Daniel Janes (USA, J. Leib, Caretes Auhoern) who is working very hard also here in Europe.
There were also no substantial surprises on the podium in the women’s class. Kathrin Meyers (GER, G. Bührig, Captain Claus Old), confirms herself at the top of the podium for the third year in a row, her technical skills indisputable. She is followed by the two leading Swiss, Ilona Hannich (M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Rayo de la Luz) and Nadja Büttiker (M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Rayo de la Luz), who have always been among the protagonists of the circuit, but who have both experienced a particularly prosperous and satisfying period in the last two years. However, both athletes decided to retire after this event. The audience gave them a heartfelt greeting, which clearly moved the two women. If Meyer’s technical test was definitely superior to all others, in the freestyle the scores were closer, with a slight dominance of Hannich and Büttiker. Annemie Szemes (GER, N. Vorberg, Rubinio 71) and Kimberly Palmer (USA, L. Carnabuci, Rosenstolz 99) also gained notable scores. The German can be considered satisfied with the result obtained, the American probably not so, the technical in particular has been below the standards to which she had recently accustomed us. Sema Hornberg (GER, N. Vorberg, Rockemotion NRW), Ginger Kennet (AUS, J. Schönteich, Goldjunge) and Caroline Morse (USA, L. Hansen, Rey Rubino) end the competition a little detached, but still satisfied overall with the performance in their first Cup final.
The final response for the pas de deux was far from obvious. The Italian pair formed by Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella (C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi), winner of the 2024 World Cup, came from a particularly black period. On the contrary, at least three of the other four pairs emerged from a decidedly favourable season, which saw them among the winners at last summer’s World Cup in Bern (SUI). Between the first and the second round there were no changes in the ranking, but the positions have been consolidated thanks to a second round much more secure in terms of execution by all competitors. Greggio/Zanella managed to defend their title. Their final performance was especially beautiful, not only daring difficult moves but above all enchanting, with its constant and fluid movement.
Li Laffer and Ilona Hannich (SUI, A. Sohm, Calin), probably at their last competition together (Li will build a new pas de deux? Given the achievements achieved in the past few years we could hope so), they are elegantly and deservedly positioned on the second step of the podium, confirming the excellent result obtained last year at the world championships performing an exercise that I would call romantic, clean, very pleasant. Their compatriots Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid (SUI, M. Heuer, Latino V Forst CH), also in great form. Their routine is original, as well as very well executed, completely different from that of Li and Ilona, more aggressive in forms, but definitely convincing. Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne (GER, A. Harwardt, DSP Sir Laulau), winners of the 2024 World Championshoips, were probably expecting a better result, but this time they weren’t exactly at their best. The last pas de deux in the competition, that of the Germans Gisa Sternberg and Linda Otten (C. Ammermann, Espresso 23) are a little ‘detached, because of some mistakes, but they certainly have room to grow.
We opened the article saying that the World Cup closes the season, but this year it could also be said that it opens it. In Europe there have already been some CVIs, in April and May there will be a continuous succession of important appointments in order to qualify for the most important summer championship, which is now around the corner.
Complete ranking
The World Cup Final is not a competition like any other, it always puts human and equine athletes to test for various reasons: firstly, because it usually takes place after the relatively long period of winter stop from competitions, and then because it has its own formula, different from the usual CVI, at least for individuals. The competition takes place on two tests only (there are no compulsories), starting immediately with the technical test, always the most demanding, followed the next day by the freestyle. The maximum duration of the exercises is also slightly longer, not the classic minute, but 70 seconds, which on one hand allows you to perform the test with a little more calmness, but on the other hand also forces you to review steps and figures to “stay in line” with the music. It often happens that, especially on the first day of competition, the horses enter the arena a little nervous. It is quite usual during CVI, but in the big arenas where the World Cup finals take place, lit only at the center and with the stands in the dark, the horses are almost always much more suspicious. Even if the day before the start of the competition itself they warm up to get accustomed to the ring, it’s one thing to start the acclimatization with the compulsory, and other with the technical test, which is certainly more demanding in terms of stress and exercises done.
Eight female individuals, eight male individuals and five pas de deux took part to the event, in accord with FEI rules. The selection is made according to the Fei ranking, which is based on the results of the CVIs carried out during the season in the different continents.
The predictions of the eve, quite predictable for individuals, have been substantially confirmed. In the men’s class, the world vice champion Quentin Jabet (FRA, J. Schönteich, Goldjung), definitely dominates, winning both the tests. Jabet proved once again to be almost flawless in execution, and unsurpassed in the interpretation and artistic construction of his freetest: in fact, the jury honoured him with a 10 in the artistic score.
He is followed by a great Julian Wilfling (GER, A. Zebrak, Aragorn 102), who has announced his retirement and thus concludes his career as a vaulter. Istrionic representative of the German team, Julian has always given a touch of originality, he has always been able to “make fun” choosing themes often light, ironic, out of the box, themes that he has always interpreted with ease and joy. On the third step of the podium Thomas Brüsewitz (GER, M. Hausmann, William II Z), author, among other things, of a splendid freetest. Just off the podium, but definitely in great growth, Davide Zanella (ITA, C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi) who was betrayed by a fall in the freetest during the execution of a very difficult exercise of his routine. Not a very positive return, however, for Jannik Heiland (GER, L. Hansen, Rey Rubino), the champion of the past edition, who could not find the right pace to complete the exercises without smudging. Excellent performance also for the emerging overseas Talmage Conrad (CAN, C. Ender, San Felice Z) who performed a complete freestyle, full of exercises and well articulated. The ranking continues with Lukas Heppler (SUI, M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Acardi van de Kapel), a constant presence of the World Cup, which always gives enjoyable exercises, and with Daniel Janes (USA, J. Leib, Caretes Auhoern) who is working very hard also here in Europe.
There were also no substantial surprises on the podium in the women’s class. Kathrin Meyers (GER, G. Bührig, Captain Claus Old), confirms herself at the top of the podium for the third year in a row, her technical skills indisputable. She is followed by the two leading Swiss, Ilona Hannich (M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Rayo de la Luz) and Nadja Büttiker (M. Winkler-Bishofberger, Rayo de la Luz), who have always been among the protagonists of the circuit, but who have both experienced a particularly prosperous and satisfying period in the last two years. However, both athletes decided to retire after this event. The audience gave them a heartfelt greeting, which clearly moved the two women. If Meyer’s technical test was definitely superior to all others, in the freestyle the scores were closer, with a slight dominance of Hannich and Büttiker. Annemie Szemes (GER, N. Vorberg, Rubinio 71) and Kimberly Palmer (USA, L. Carnabuci, Rosenstolz 99) also gained notable scores. The German can be considered satisfied with the result obtained, the American probably not so, the technical in particular has been below the standards to which she had recently accustomed us. Sema Hornberg (GER, N. Vorberg, Rockemotion NRW), Ginger Kennet (AUS, J. Schönteich, Goldjunge) and Caroline Morse (USA, L. Hansen, Rey Rubino) end the competition a little detached, but still satisfied overall with the performance in their first Cup final.
The final response for the pas de deux was far from obvious. The Italian pair formed by Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella (C. Petersohn, Orlando Tancredi), winner of the 2024 World Cup, came from a particularly black period. On the contrary, at least three of the other four pairs emerged from a decidedly favourable season, which saw them among the winners at last summer’s World Cup in Bern (SUI). Between the first and the second round there were no changes in the ranking, but the positions have been consolidated thanks to a second round much more secure in terms of execution by all competitors. Greggio/Zanella managed to defend their title. Their final performance was especially beautiful, not only daring difficult moves but above all enchanting, with its constant and fluid movement.
Li Laffer and Ilona Hannich (SUI, A. Sohm, Calin), probably at their last competition together (Li will build a new pas de deux? Given the achievements achieved in the past few years we could hope so), they are elegantly and deservedly positioned on the second step of the podium, confirming the excellent result obtained last year at the world championships performing an exercise that I would call romantic, clean, very pleasant. Their compatriots Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid (SUI, M. Heuer, Latino V Forst CH), also in great form. Their routine is original, as well as very well executed, completely different from that of Li and Ilona, more aggressive in forms, but definitely convincing. Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne (GER, A. Harwardt, DSP Sir Laulau), winners of the 2024 World Championshoips, were probably expecting a better result, but this time they weren’t exactly at their best. The last pas de deux in the competition, that of the Germans Gisa Sternberg and Linda Otten (C. Ammermann, Espresso 23) are a little ‘detached, because of some mistakes, but they certainly have room to grow.
We opened the article saying that the World Cup closes the season, but this year it could also be said that it opens it. In Europe there have already been some CVIs, in April and May there will be a continuous succession of important appointments in order to qualify for the most important summer championship, which is now around the corner.
Complete ranking
