Kurten wins Masters Qualifier

Just over a seventh of a second clinched the German Masters Qualifier at Stuttgart for Irish rider Jessica Kurten tonight when she beat France's Eugenie Angot into second place.

Both riders went clear in the 1m 50 competition, but Lady Georgina Forbes's 14-year-old mare 'Quibell' gave Antrim-born Kurten the edge and the €6,250 winner's prize.

Kurten, who celebrates her 39th birthday on Monday, is now drawn favourably last to jump in the Mercedes German Masters which takes place later tonight.

Since arriving at Stuttgart on Thursday, Kurten has racked up three top ten places with 'Castle Forbes Cosma' and 'Castle Forbes Carrick', but was obviously holding her experienced mount in reserve for tonight's qualifier.

She will ride the eight-year-old 'Castle Forbes Cosma' in the Masters shortly after 9pm tonight.

International Jumping Competition

Fa. DIW Instandhaltung Ltd & Co. KG Prize Table A Article 238.2.1 1m50 Qualifier for German Masters Competition Friday, 21 November, 2008

1) Quibell; Jessica Kurten (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 62.34

2) Ilostra Dark; Eugenie Angot (FRA) Faults 0.00 Time 62.48

3) Ideal de la Loge; Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) Faults 0.00 Time 62.90

47 starters