Eckermann Flies to Victory Against the Spectacular Palace Backdrop at Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna

Against one of the most extraordinary backdrops in international show jumping, Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee delivered a breathtaking win in the CSI5* powered by Kronen Zeitung at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna.

With the grand façade of Schönbrunn Palace towering over the arena and a sold-out crowd packed around the historic setting, Saturday’s biggest class brought the atmosphere to fever pitch. Fifteen combinations emerged from a testing first round to contest the jump-off, setting up a spectacular race against the clock as the sun began to set over Vienna.

And when every second counted, Eckermann produced the round of the night.

Germany’s Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee stormed to victory with a lightning-fast clear in 36.42 seconds, more than a second ahead of Belgium’s Nathan Budd and Ely des Rosiers Z, who took second in 37.76 seconds. Fellow Belgian Gudrun Patteet and Baron - RR Z completed the podium after another blistering double clear in 37.89 seconds.

Reflecting on her win, Katrin said, "It is so special to win at this amazing venue because I have my family here, and so much support from the Iron Dames family - it has made the atmosphere even more special."

She went on to add, "Chao Lee and I were fighting right until the very end. It is such a long and great story with her, she was born at my father's place, and we have so much trust in each other after many years together."

There was no shortage of drama before the jump-off even began. The 1.50m track proved influential across the field, with poles falling throughout the course and some of the sport’s biggest names deciding to retire and save their horses for another day, including Henrik von Eckermann with Hylanderhof's Saruschka and Olivier Philippaerts with Ragazzo AV.

The home crowd had plenty to cheer for as Austria’s Max Kühner and EIC Quantum Robin V attacked the track, but one unlucky rail left them on four faults and outside the jump-off. By the end of the first round, 15 combinations remained faultless, and with some seriously fast riders among them, the stage was set for an all-out battle against the clock.

First into the arena for the jump-off, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Cydello wasted absolutely no time. Rapid from start to finish, they delivered the first double clear in 42.48 seconds and laid down a solid opening marker. The question was simple: could it possibly be quick enough?

It didn't take long to discover just how much faster the course could be ridden. Niels Bruynseels and Chacco's Lando OL flew around the shortened track, taking the inside turn on the rollback to the Longines oxer, but the first element of the double alongside the palace came down. They crossed the line on four faults in 38.88 seconds - almost four seconds quicker than Edwina and proof that there was plenty of time to be found.

Next came Giacomo Casadei and Chagracon PS, and they suffered exactly the same fate. The pair became a fraction flat into the double and caught the same fence as Bruynseels, finishing with four faults in 40.23 seconds. The challenge continued for Thibault Philippaerts and Rakker van St Anneke. The very first fence fell, immediately putting them on the back foot, and they eventually stopped the clock with four faults in 41.43 seconds. It wasn't to be their night.

Ireland's Denis Lynch and Ping Pong van de Lentamel then put the clears back on the board. Smooth and controlled, they left every pole standing in 42.73 seconds, just fractions behind Tops-Alexander. Former LGCT champion Peder Fredricson and Code Black took a different approach. Rather than risking everything, the Swedish star delivered a beautifully measured double clear, safely home in 43.06 seconds.

Then the jump-off exploded into life. Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Kaleni Jo came out meaning business, attacking every distance, taking every available inside turn and leaving strides out wherever possible. They sliced almost five seconds from the leading time, flying through the finish clear in 37.94 seconds. Suddenly, the target had changed completely.

Could anyone possibly go faster? Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee answered emphatically. Eckermann left absolutely nothing on the table, matching aggression with precision as Chao Lee powered around the Schönbrunn arena. The clock stopped at an astonishing 36.42 seconds - clear and more than a second faster. A huge new target.

With the Austrian crowd roaring her on, Bianca Babanitz and Dakato gave everything in pursuit. They attacked all the way to the finish, but a less-than-perfect distance proved costly and one fence fell. They finished on four faults in 41.17 seconds, ending their hopes of a home victory.

Another Austrian challenger followed as Katharina Rhomberg and Cuma 5 set off at serious speed. But the black GC oxer came down, leaving them with four faults in 36.96 seconds. The time showed just how close they had been, but it also confirmed there would be no home hero taking the win tonight.

Ireland's Tom Wachman and Obora's Laura were next to challenge, but the poles refused to stay up. The fence coming out of the double fell before another rail at the Dadu upright followed, leaving the pair on eight faults in 37.88 seconds.

Then came a serious threat. Nathan Budd and Ely des Rosiers Z produced a super-smooth round, balancing speed with accuracy all the way. They stopped the clock clear in 37.76 seconds, slotting straight into second place - but Eckermann's 36.42 remained untouched.

Gudrun Patteet and Baron - RR Z weren't backing down either. Another fast, committed clear saw the Belgian combination stop the clock in 37.89 seconds, quicker than Hinners and good enough to move into third place for the moment.

The penultimate challenge came from Maikel van der Vleuten and Quastor vd Heffinck, but the pressure told coming out of the double, with both poles of the oxer hitting the ground. They finished on four faults in 42.54 seconds, leaving just one combination capable of denying Eckermann the win.

Everything came down to Ciaran Nalon and Christians Carado. The Irishman produced a smooth, composed double clear, stopping the clock in 39.90 seconds to move into fifth place. Katrin Eckermann and Chao Lee had done it. Under the lights, in front of a sold-out crowd and against the spectacular backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, their extraordinary 36.42-second round secured a memorable LGCT Vienna victory.

The stage is now set for the biggest showdown of the weekend as the world's best return to the Schönbrunn Palace arena tomorrow for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna. With crucial Championship points on the line and one of the sport's most prestigious Grand Prix titles waiting to be claimed, expect another afternoon of world-class sport and high drama from Vienna.

Watch the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna live on GCTV.