Timo Beck definitely comes out of the woodwork and knows how to shine when the German Masters comes around. The German rider has won an FEI class at Stuttgart in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and after few years hiatus from his lucky streak is now back in winning form, taking a national class Wednesday night board his stunning blue-eyed stallion Habicht CR.
The pair won with a flawless 39-second jump-off in front of some steep competition to collect a little check and make good on the day, but that’s just the silver lining of the story.
The middle-aged rider is battling back from the terrible loss of his facilities, which burned down just this past August. Timo and his wife Julia, also a competitive show jumper, found their business in flames on August 2nd and the barn and riding hall were a complete loss. They were able to get the horses out of the barn, but in the chaos, horses escaped onto the road, and one horse was hit and killed by a car. Other horses sustained injuries relating to the escape or smoke inhalation. No people were hurt.
The couple have continued to ride, show, and fight to rebuild, and this week’s win was surely a morale booster as the crowd gave Timo an uproarious ovation for his victory.
“I’m today, so to say, an indoor champion without indoor facilities,” said Timo. “The win was soothing for my soul.”