The present invention relates to a control apparatus for controlling a hydraulic consumer, wherein the control device is the control-pressure chamber and the control pressure by increasing the control pressure in the chamber distributing a control slider which can be displaced against the force of the spring valve and a. The pilot control valve controlling the supply and discharge of a control fluid into and out of the control pressure chamber. The invention features the use of a release device (release device) for driving the control fluid from the control pressure chamber while bypassing the pilot control valve.