SShow rider André Thieme won the World Cup competition in Ocala. The European champion from Plau am See prevailed on Sunday (local time) at the highlight of the tournament in the US state of Florida in the saddle of his top horse Chakaria. The 47-year-old won ahead of Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso (Dominican Republic) with J’adore and Santiago Lambre (Brazil) with Chacco Blue II. Success comes too late for a ticket for the World Cup finals in Omaha in early April. The qualification ends with the tournament in Ocala.
On his US tour lasting several weeks, Thieme won a show jumping event in Conacco in Ocala that was advertised for 100,000 dollars (approx. 93,500 euros) a month ago. The three-time winner of the German derby has been traveling to Florida for several weeks in winter and spring for more than 20 years.
The Mecklenburger starts at the two week-long winter tournament series in Ocala and in Wellington, 380 kilometers to the south, where highly prized competitions are advertised week after week until the beginning of April. In addition, the professional rider and horse dealer uses the time for customer care and support. “All my customers are in America,” he explained a year ago.
