Flying Greek victorious in the Big Tour

The first Big Tour competition of Perlage CAVALIADA Tour in Kraków, counting for the FEI World Cup Central European League Final and held for the prize of the Polish Equestrian Federation, featured 52 pairs on the start list. It was a speed competition in which points were converted into penalty seconds, and the best performance over the course was delivered by the “flying Greek,” Angelos Touloupis, riding the 12-year-old Del Rey of the Lowlands Z.

“I am very happy, and my horse performed brilliantly. I really enjoy competing in front of the CAVALIADA audience – such great support always gives you wings!” said the rider.

Second place went to Germany’s Tom Schewe with Gallimard Bois Margot, while the Top 3 was completed by Dutchman Jur Vrieling riding Iron Wish RW. The best of the home riders – Polish champion Maksymilian Wechta riding Mystique – placed fourth and was the highest-ranked among the riders scoring points in the Central European League, thanks to which he advanced to sixth place in the standings. The top three riders will qualify for the final, which this year will take place in Fort Worth, Texas. After today’s competition, Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks became the leader of the standings.

Ten pairs took part in the semi-final of the CAVALIADA Eventing Tour for the prize of the National Support Centre for Agriculture. The first round brought many surprises, including a mistake by leader Mathies Rüder, which deprived him of the opportunity to compete for victory in the second, decisive round, to which the top six advanced. Ultimately, Lithuanian Aistis Vitkauskas on Commander VG was the best, Joanna Pawlak on Armin de Monsieur took second place, and Hanna Pogodzińska on Chips finished third.

Tomorrow's final promises to be a very fierce competition for the audience, as Mathies Rüder and Joanna Pawlak are tied for first place with 48 points, while Aistis Vitkauskas and Paweł Warszawski are tied for third with 40 points.

Eight pairs competed in the semi-final of the Apart Dressage Tour, and the highest scores from the judges went to Germany’s Lena Hassmann with Doc-Holliday 3. Second place was taken by Poland’s Marcin Woldański riding Poker Face, and third by Lithuania’s Justina Vanagaite-Samuile with Phoenix van de Kempenhoeve.

Vanagaite-Samuile remains the leader of the standings ahead of Saturday’s final with 43 points. The battle for podium places will be decided in the Freestyle competition, as second place is currently shared with 28 points by Ilona Jana, Marcin Woldański, and Lena Hassmann.

The morning Medium Tour competition, for the prize of Idea Expo, ended with victory for Germany’s Michael Kölz on the gelding Bento 266. Right behind him was Hungary’s Roland Kovács with Casallandia PS, with Greek rider Angelos Touloupis finishing third with Qachica.

In the Respect Energy Open Tour Bronze category competition, for the prize of Respect Energy, under the patronage of City Marketing, Julia Bluj triumphed on Geraldien. Second place went to Ignacy Luboński with Mariposa, and third to Kinga Moszyńska riding Fryga.

In the Respect Energy Open Tour Silver category, for the prize of Respect Energy, under the patronage of ToBilet.pl, the best rider was Julia Banasik with Hera de Lux. Second was Maja Bartosz on Atilla VDF Z, and third went to Hungary’s Jázmin Dóra Daru on Lordypso GS.

Karmela Wolniewicz on Canossa won the Respect Energy Open Tour Gold category competition, for the prize of Respect Energy, under the patronage of Arena Kraków. Julia Zadroga on the mare Chica VH Ven Z followed in second, and Hanna Zadroga on Comme Ci Comme Ca finished third.

Results: https://livejumping.com/ap/event/16041/competitions

More information: https://krakow.cavaliada.pl/pl/

Tickets: https://tobilet.pl/cavaliada-krakow-2026.html

Program: https://krakow.cavaliada.pl/pl/kibice/program-wydarzenia/

Livestream: https://live.cavaliada.pl/

Organizer: GRUPA MTP | Titular partner: PERLAGE | Strategic partners: DOLINA NOTECI, RESPECT ENERGY | Host city: KRAKÓW |Partners: MINISTRY OF SPORT AND TOURISM, MAŁOPOLSKA VOIVODESHIP, POLISH EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION