Shingo Hayashi Wins the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix Championships

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2024 Japanese Dressage Championships

Japanese Olympian Shingo Hayashi has won the 2024 Japanese Dressage Championships at Grand Prix level. The nationals were held in Gotemba on 8 - 10 November 2024.

Two tests counted for the overall ranking: the Grand Prix and Kur to Music, judged by Mariko Tsukigawa, Gabriela Valerianova, Takeshi Yamada, Sejiji Yoda and Yukako Kimura. Nine combinations competed in both rounds, twelve started in the Grand Prix in these "All Japan Dressage Championships."

For a second consective year, the 39-year old Shingo Hayashi claimed highest honour in the national Grand Prix Championship. Aboard the 16-year old Hanoverian gelding Fernando (by Florestan x Contendor), he was second in the Grand Prix with 68.080% and won the Kur to Music with 73.075% to achieve the highest overall total for the gold medal and the title. The dark bay gelding recently switched ownership, from the late Tsunehiro Shimoda to Eiko Tadokoro.

It was the fifth time Hayashi won the national title and at the championships he also claimed the gold medal at small tour level. "I want to concentrate on each horse and do my best no matter the results of the competition," said the modest Hayashi.

Less than a year back home in Japan, the 40-year old Kazuki Sado piloted the Japan Racing association's 18-year old Hanoveria Barolo (by Breitling W x Hitchock) rode to the silver medal at the Nationals. The pair won the Grand Prix with 68.422% and was third in the Kur with 71.020% for a second place overall.

New combonation Gaito Hidaka and Chiemi Katayama's 20-year old Hanoverian Sir Galanto (by Stedinger x De Niro) landed the bronze medal after sposting 65.869% in the Grand Prix and 71.155% in the Kur. Sir Galanto, who went from the USA (Devon Kane) to Europe (Hubertus Schmidt), to be sold to Japan, was previously shown by Kiichi Harada. Now the 19-year old Gaito made it a double whammy as he already won the 2024 Japanese Young Riders Championships

Results - 2024 Japanese Grand Prix Championships

1. Shingo Hayashi - Fernando - 68,080 73,075 141,155
2. Kazuki Sado - Barolo - 68,442 71,020 139,462
3. Gaito Hidaka - Sir Galanto - 65,869 71,155 137,024
4. Naoko Hieda - Fantastico - 66,304 70,560 136,864
5. Ryuma Hieda - Chocolat Classic - 66,196 68,425 134,621
6. Kazumasa Okada - Rochee K - 64,131 69,085 133,216
7. Yurie Yoshida - Dark Diamond - 63,370 68,210 131,580
8. Takumi Masumoto - Sydney - 60,073 64,030 124,103
9. Lishiru Yasuda - Bernardo U - 63,369 58,310 121,679