The Proton Kuala Lumpur Grand Prix CSI 5* - Courtesy of Horse International, the official news carrier of the FEI.

Grand Prix Winners Daniel Meech and Diagonal

The KL Grand Prix and feature class of three spectacular days of jumping at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur (October 1-3) was claimed by German based New Zealander, Daniel Meech, a rider somewhat left of the mainstream field.  The 30 year old Meech, riding his Olympic mount, Diagonal, said he knew he was in with a chance, but wasn’t really expecting to out gallop the ten strong jump-off field as “Daggers is not really a super fast horse.”

Nevertheless he did to win the richest class of his career and pocket the first prize of 60,000 Euros—the prize money in Kuala Lumpur being only bettered by Calgary. Meech, fresh from his 13thplace in Athens and best ever New Zealand performance at an Olympics riding the ten-year-old Westfalen stallion by Dimantino, declared, “I was looking for a big Grand Prix to win!” 

The youthful looking Kiwi has conceded quite a bit to further his riding career.  “It is a big sacrifice for me to leave New Zealand as it is a beautiful country, but I had a goal from the beginning to be a better rider.”  That goal entailed moving to Europe nine years ago where he was initially based with Emile Hendrix.  Meech competed at the Atlanta Games and continued his education with Paul Schockemohle.  “It was a dream for me to work for Paul and two years with Paul is like ten years anywhere else.”  Daniel now runs his own barn in Westphalia and rides for Hans-Jurgen Klass.  “My sponsor will be very happy,” said Daniel with reference to this victory.  He has been riding the attractive and talented Diagonal, bought with the Olympics in mind, for the past two and a half years. 

As had been the case all show, Frank Rothenberger’s tracks were well stage managed to create both a test for the invited internationals and an entertaining class.  The 1.55m Grand Prix track described by Australian, Edwina Alexander as, “technical but not crazy big,” saw ten of the 25 starters go clear.  Dutch rider, Jan Tops, first to go in both rounds, set the standard with his well performed Grannus mare, VDL Groep Grande Dame, clear in 44.56s.  At the end of the day it was good enough for fourth place. 

Runners-Up Jean Mark Nicolas and JPC Modesto Equifoam

Frenchman, Jean- Marc Nicolas jumped a really attacking round riding the ten-year-old stallion, JPC Modesto Equifoam, clear in 41.03s to take second place.  Nicolas described the grey stallion as “a fantastic horse and one of the best horses in France.”  Certainly the Dutch horse by Grandeur has done his best for the Gallic Republic this season, jumping double clear in the Nations Cup at Rotterdam, and having single faultless trips at Hickstead, Barcelona and Dublin.  Meech came out mid field and jumped a sensational round, really daring the bay stallion after a long gallop to the last oxer, to come home clear in 39.83s.  He then had to sit it out to see if he could be caught.  Only one combination came close, Holland’s Eric van der Vleuten riding the experienced Concorde mare, Audi’s Jikke, who completed in 41.61 seconds to finish third.

Dirk Demeerman opened the action with an exciting victory in the 1.40m MASkargo Putra Speed Derby riding the 12-year-old Lareo mare, Platina van de Cumul.  The 1.45m Proton Welcome Trophy went to Germany’s Rene Tebbel on Farina by For Pleasure.  Tebbel continued where he left off the next day taking out the Proton Putra Cup Accumulator with the eight-year-old Ehrentusch mare, Emily.  This entertaining class included a not unexpected long run to the Joker, a 1.50m vertical over a water tray, which was a real test of nerve.  Understandably, in this company, many came up trumps.  Lars Nieberg was the last to go of the five clear in the Malaysia Airlines KL Cup riding the Landadel mare Lucie to out-pace Franke Sloothaak and the super Sandro Song stallion, Sundance K to take first place.  None could catch Dutchman, Jeroen Dubbeldam who was first our in The Country Heights Putra Speed Classic on the final day of competition.  He set the standard with the Germus R mare, Balaboeska R, clear in 51.07s.  The very last to go, Malin Baryard riding the Ramiro Z mare, H&M Tamina, took second place in a time of 52.54s.