Dee Luke, NZL, Gangster WW, FEI Jumping World CupTM Final 2 – Basel 2025
© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, 04/04/2025
Luke Dee and Gangster WW have come oh-so-close to making the top 30 and progressing to the last day of competition at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Switzerland.
The Kiwi duo were jumping superbly over a very technical and difficult course in the Final II until a big vertical where Gangster did a huge jump and on landing went left instead of right leaving Luke hanging on precariously. “If he had shifted any further left I would have been off,” said Luke.
But they made an incredible recovery, coming round to continue strongly through a hugely challenging treble, finishing with two fences down on 23 faults – eight jump, 11 time and four for crossing their tracks – in 32nd place.
Dee Luke, NZL, Gangster WW, FEI Jumping World CupTM Final 2 – Basel 2025
© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, 04/04/2025
“It was such a shame that happened but I am just so proud of Gangster. He jumped through that treble as though nothing had happened. I think he has really made a name for himself in a very short time here.” Coming into today, Luke says he was determined to have fun. “I wasn’t so nervous and felt a lot calmer. I decided if anything else I wanted to enjoy myself and had no real expectations. It certainly was a lot of fun.”
The Gerard Lachat-designed track included elements over 1.60m high and featured plenty of tricky lines. It was described by the commentators as “serious and difficult”.
There were three eliminations in the first round with two others retiring on course. The top 30 will now progress to Sunday’s final.
Dee Luke, NZL, Gangster WW, FEI Jumping World CupTM Final 2 – Basel 2025
© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, 04/04/2025
Six of today’s 37 combinations went clear to progress to the second round tonight but just five started. Overnight leader Julian Epaillard (FRA) made the decision not to come back aboard Donatello d’Auge without knowing whether the rather complicated World Cup points would have him in first or second place at the end of the day but wanting to save his horse for the final day of competition. “We will see on Sunday if it was the right decision or not,” he said.
As it turned out, he remains at the top of the leaderboard on zero with today’s winner Martin Fuchs (GER) and defending champ Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) both on two penalties and three other riders on three.
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Horse |
Breeding |
Owners |
|
Gangster WW |
by Grand Slam out of Korsika who is by Kannan |
Fiona Hall & Luke Dee |
By Diana Dobson
Photos by Dirk Caremans