Seven riders in the jump-off - two Norwegians, four Germans and an Irish rider

He was first to qualify for the jump-off and although he was the first rider in the jump-off he managed to hold onto his lead: Holger Wulschner won the WARSTEINER Prize, Prize of Europe, with the 11-year-old Holstein horse, Clausen, jumping clear in 53.63 seconds.

"This horse simply spoils me, we already won 3 Grand Prix in 2006. But winning here in this setting is something special," said Wulschner overjoyed. He has been riding the Calato son for three years. "Back then he had rather a bad reputation, because he had often ran out of the course with his young rider. It was difficult at the beginning, but he is no doubt the best horse I have ever ridden." Seven riders from a field of 50 reached the jump-off. Only three riders jumped clear and the Scandinavian country wasn't able to celebrate a Norwegian victory although two Norwegians reached the final round: the two 2006 World Championship riders, Geir Gulliksen and Tony André Hansen unfortunately both collected faults.

Holger Wulschner is considered to be the most successful rider from the former GDR-states. The 2000 Hamburger Derby winner works at Gut Groß Viegels, near Rostock. The Irish rider, Jessica Kürten, ranked second in a time of 54.78 seconds. "I am incredibly proud of my mare, she really outdid herself today. She did a U-turn on the warm-up area when she saw a number of grey horses. She is very sensitive to noise," is how the 37-year-old described Quibell's encounter with the riders of the partner country, Portugal. Together with her husband, Eckhardt, the daughter of a dentist and artist runs Chesney Farm - named after her parents - in Hünxe.

"Lady Power" was demonstrated in third place too: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and the Zweibrücker Leubus son, Le Mans, crossed the finish line without faults in 54.98 seconds. "It was very difficult here today, not just the obstacles, but also because of the weather, because the reins were really slippy and the horses weren't as well-concentrated because the water was dripping in their ears and nose." Eva Bitter was most unlucky, she took the wrong course with Argelith Stakkato and had to be eliminated.

The WARSTEINER Prize, Prize of Europe, is one of three qualifying competitions for the ROLEX Grand Prix on Sunday, whereby the six riders who have collected the most points after all three competitions can compete in addition to the pre-qualified riders. The best German pair from the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Daniel Deusser and Air Jordan Z, picked up 8 faults.