Sophie Hinners is making her first full season at the CSI5* level one for the record books and herstory.
A week ago in Lyon, Hinner’s boyfriend, Richard Vogel (GER), won the third leg of the Western European League with the phenomenal United Touch.
On Sunday in Verona, Hinners took the fourth—capturing her first CSI5* Grand Prix win in her second ever World Cup qualifier appearance.
“What’s happening now, is really something very special,” said Hinners. “I had it in my mind after Rich’s win last week: how cool would it be, if I could win this week. But didn’t believe it could happen. It’s amazing. I still cannot believe it.”
The 26-year-old topped a five-horse jump off in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Verona aboard Iron Dames my Prins. The pair clocked in at 37.91 seconds to best Olympic veterans Ben Maher (GBR) on Point Break (38.23) and Marcus Ehning (GER) with Coolio 42 (38.35).
Did we mention that she’s only started competing the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood in July and had never contested a jump off on him prior to Sunday? Or that no female rider has ever won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Verona before her?
“I’m so happy. Iron Dames My Prins jumped incredible today. It was a difficult first round and it was my first jump-off with him. He did an amazing job,” said Hinners.
“I only started riding Iron Dames My Prins in the middle of the year.”
Sunday’s win is the latest in a breakout season for the rising German star.
Hinners is a member of the Cannes Stars, the Global Champions League first all-female team and reigning 2024 Series Champions. She’s jumped to 44 international podium finishes this year, including three at the 1.60m height on three different horses (Jumpr Stats).
In the past 11 months, she’s climbed 75 spots up the Longines World Rankings from 136 to 61 and is poised to break the top 50 before the year is out.
With 20 points on the leaderboard, she’s now in the hunt to qualify for World Cup Final in Basel too. France’s Kevin Staut leads the Western European League standings on 34 points. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet sits in second on 32 and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, third on 26.
The Western European League next stops in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, November 17.