Equieffe Equestrian Centre: Final Day Results of CSI4
Pius Schwizer Triumphs in the CSI4* Grand Prix at Equieffe, Simonetti Just Misses the Podium
The CSI4* Grand Prix at Equieffe Equestrian Centre delivered an afternoon of top-level sport, challenging the best international horse-and-rider combinations with a technical and selective course designed by course designer Andrea Colombo.The track featured 13 obstacles, excluding combinations.
Among the standout names in the competition were Brazil’s Yuri Mansur, Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya, Germany’s Olympic show jumping and eventing rider Michael Jung, Great Britain’s Joseph Stockdale, and the Netherlands’ Leon Thijssen, just to name a few.
The highest-level competition of the weekend, set at a height of 1.55m, also saw a strong presence of Italian riders, including Fabio Brotto, Riccardo Pisani, Davide Vitale (recently crowned champion), Marta Bottanelli, and Michol Del Signore.
Out of 50 starters, only 12 combinations managed to complete the first round without faults, securing a place in the jump-off. In the end, Swiss rider Pius Schwizer claimed victory with Nadale van Dorperheide, delivering a fast and flawless round in 44.68 seconds.
“I won the CSI4* Grand Prix KEP Italian in Gorla Minore. My horse, Nadal, is a very careful and fast horse. He belongs to Ilan Ferder and Martin Fuchs, and I ride him for them. I’m happy to have the opportunity to ride this horse. Of course, I’m also happy to keep coming back to Gorla Minore because I think it’s a great show from time to time, very well organized. The Fiorelli family does a great job with the people now and then. It’s a whole team, these arenas, and now this grass arena—it’s truly unique. I just want to take a moment to say thank you on behalf of all the riders.”
Close behind Schwizer, just six-tenths of a second apart, was fellow Swiss rider Barbara Schnieper, who also produced a double clear round, finishing in 45.26 seconds aboard Canice. Completing the podium was Britain’s Robert Murphy, stopping the clock at 46.55 seconds with Kannem J.A. Z, securing third place.
Italy achieved fourth place thanks to Elia Simonetti, riding Li La Bo. The Italian rider navigated the jump-off flawlessly, finishing in 48.20 seconds. Michol Del Signore also stood out in the first round, earning a spot in the jump-off, ultimately finishing eleventh—still among the best of the competition.
Among the top contenders, Germany’s Michael Viehweg clocked the fastest jump-off time at 43.98 seconds but incurred one fault, leaving him in fifth place. The same fate befell Sweden’s Annina Nordström, who placed sixth with Fuzhou (4 penalties in 44.02 seconds), and the Netherlands’ Mans Thijssen, who finished seventh with Hello (4 penalties in 44.31 seconds).
British rider Joseph Stockdale, Belgian Andres Vereecke, and Dutch rider Mel Thijssen also ended the jump-off with one fault, completing the top ten in 44.53, 44.55, and 44.60 seconds, respectively.
Full results available at: https://www.livejumping.it/index.aspx?IDCO=016B
Mans Thijssen Dominates CSI4* 145 Two-Phase at Gorla Minore
The CSI4* 145 two-phase competition, featuring 45 starting combinations and 21 double clears, opened the final day of competition in Gorla Minore.
Taking the win was Mans Thijssen aboard Nero Z (NED – 2015), completing the second phase in 23.20 seconds. The Dutch rider secured first place with a stellar performance.
“I saw Jens Fredricson, second in the starting order, go very fast, and I didn’t think I could beat him, but we did a good job with Nero Z, my 10-year-old. He is very fast and fearless—he could jump anything,”
Thijssen commented. “The grass arena is very large, and many horses need time to get used to it, but once they do, it’s perfect. Everything here is great and very well organized.”
Just 0.23 seconds behind, Sweden’s Jens Fredricson delivered an impeccable performance with Kiara (SWE – 2016), finishing in 23.43 seconds. Third place went to France’s Alexis Goulet on Celine RBF Z (BEL – 2015), completing the course in 24.08 seconds.
Dutch rider Kevin Jochems finished just off the podium in fourth place with Looks Good de Liebrie Z (BEL – 2015) in 24.25 seconds, closely followed by Leon Thijssen, who took fifth with Conthakkato (GER – 2012) in 24.26 seconds.
German champion Michael Jung secured sixth place aboard Qwatt (GER – 2016) in 24.28 seconds. Andres Vereecke, winner of yesterday’s ranking class, finished seventh with Ona Van De Begijnakker (BEL – 2014) in 24.46 seconds.
Another top-ten placement went to Alexis Goulet, finishing eighth with Kaylee (NED – 2015) in 24.92 seconds. Mikolaj Szurman of Poland took ninth place with Miss Caretino MNM (GER – 2012) in
25.24 seconds, while his compatriot Michal Kazmierczak rounded out the top ten with King of Rock
(NED – 2015) in 25.66 seconds.
The best-placed Italian rider was Fiorenzo Amendola, who delivered a strong performance with Queen Due Elle (ITA – 2012), finishing 26th.
Another international victory for Mans Thijssen, who continues to establish himself as a key competitor in the CSI4* circuit. The next international event in Gorla Minore promises another weekend of thrilling competition.
Full results available at: https://www.livejumping.it/index.aspx?IDCO=016B
Jean Luc Mourier Claims Victory in CSI4* H140 at Equieffe Equestrian Centre
Sunday’s CSI4* event lit up the Equinoxe Mascheroni arena with the H140 Against the Clock class, where 35 horse-and-rider combinations battled for victory.
French rider Jean Luc Mourier took the win aboard Ceylon Island (2017 – GER), stopping the clock at
58.81 seconds, an unbeatable time for the rest of the competitors.
In second place was Portugal’s Rodrigo Sampaio Peixoto with Hipop de Cantraie (2017 – FRA), completing a faultless round in 59.72 seconds. French rider Camille Seys secured third place with Grim Lande (2016 – FRA) in 60.57 seconds.
The awards ceremony was attended by artist Tiziana Adreani, who exhibited her works in the VIP area of Equieffe Equestrian Centre throughout the event.
Swiss rider Barbara Schnieper finished fourth with Toronto Raptor (2012 – GER) in 60.90 seconds, followed by Dutch rider Mans Thijssen, who placed fifth with Knockout EB (2015 – NED) in 62.17 seconds.
Full results: https://www.livejumping.it/index.aspx?IDCO=016B
The Equieffe Championship Tournament 2025 has wrapped up its first week, bringing together top combinations from across Europe in technical courses where precision and speed were key.
The event continues next week with the CSI4*, scheduled from April 4-6.