Gerrit Nieberg and Ping Pong Van De Lentamel : A Special Partnership on the Rise
German rider Gerrit Nieberg has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in international show jumping. The son of Olympic team gold medalist Lars Nieberg, he grew up surrounded by the sport at the highest level. In recent years, however, Nieberg has stepped out of his father’s shadow, building his own reputation through impressive performances on the global stage.
One of the defining highlights of his career came in 2022 when he captured victory in the prestigious CHIO Aachen Grand Prix riding the stallion Ben 431. Aachen is widely regarded as one of the most important and difficult Grand Prix competitions in the world, attracting the very best riders and horses. For a German rider, winning there in front of the home crowd is a dream scenario.
Nieberg delivered exactly that, producing a brilliant jump-off round as the final starter to secure an unforgettable victory.
“It was the best possible scenario to win in front of a home crowd as the last starter in the jump-off, as an underdog, I would say. It was an incredible feeling, and it’s still a memory I would love to repeat again. I’m thinking often about this day now.”
Alongside that career-defining moment, another exciting chapter in Nieberg’s journey has been his partnership with the striking colored horse Ping Pong. Instantly recognizable in the arena thanks to his distinctive coat, Ping Pong has quickly proven himself as a very special horse with great potential at the top level.
Their partnership began to truly take shape at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Spain, one of the largest and most competitive show jumping circuits in Europe. The tour, held early in the season, provides riders with the opportunity to develop horses and build form for the months ahead. For Nieberg and Ping Pong, it became the starting point of a very successful run.
“It’s my third time here now at the Sunshine Tour. We had a really good time here last year. That’s kind of where everything started with Ping Pong.”
Their performances during that period were remarkable. In fact, the pair won the Grand Prix at the Sunshine Tour twice in a row last season—an achievement that highlighted both the horse’s quality and the growing strength of their partnership. Those victories helped set the tone for a year filled with strong results.
“After this we had a really good year last year with many good rounds and results. So that was also the reason that I really wanted to come back here. Like you said, many good memories.”
Ping Pong’s careful jumping, athletic ability and distinctive presence in the ring have made him one of the most eye-catching horses in the field, while Nieberg’s composed and precise riding style allows the horse to perform with confidence.
Looking ahead, the German rider has clear ambitions for the season. Developing Ping Pong further and preparing him for the biggest stages in the sport is one of the main goals.
“That’s a big goal this year with Ping Pong. He had a really good term season last year and he’s in really good shape. We try to keep him going and do as good as we can to be ready for the championships.”
Preparation will be key in the months leading up to those major events, with Nieberg focusing on building consistent performances and strong results along the way.
“We try to have good preparation in the months before with some good shows and good results, hopefully so we are ready for this.”
Returning to the Sunshine Tour once again carries special meaning. It was here that the partnership with Ping Pong truly began to flourish, leading to two consecutive Grand Prix victories and the start of a breakthrough season.
For Gerrit Nieberg, the journey in international show jumping continues to gain momentum. From his unforgettable triumph in Aachen with Ben 431 to the exciting future he is building with the remarkable Ping Pong, the German rider is proving himself as one of the sport’s leading competitors—and one to watch in the years ahead.
Ph: VS Media
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