Geneva, Switzerland
The last equestrian major of the year, CHI Geneva, drew a record 42,000 spectators, and proved to be a real thriller, with the added tension of Scott Brash entering the competition as the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The stakes were especially high for Scott, who has already written his name into the history books by completing this extraordinary feat at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in 2015.
Steve Guerdat, the home favourite, brought even more emotion to the occasion by announcing that this would be the last competitive appearance for his much-loved Olympic gold medal winner, Nino des Buissonnets.
There were 40 starters in the Grand Prix, including many of show jumping’s finest riders. Course designer Gérard Lachat made full use of the huge space – the world’s largest indoor equestrian arena – challenging them in every corner and at every jumping effort, and only 16 combinations made it through to round two.
Jump Off
A fast clear from Niels Bruynseels of Belgium with Cas de Liberte opened the jump-off, but it was the fourth rider out, Pedro Veniss of Brazil with the stunning liver chestnut stallion Quabri de l’ Isle, who really set the standard. Rider after rider found Pedro’s dazzling clear in 38.96 seconds impossible to better. Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium and H&M Legend of Love came closest (39.21), and Kevin Staut (FRA) put in an outstanding effort on Reveur de Hurtebise HDC, but his time of 40.04 was just not good enough and he finished fourth. Scott Brash, with the crowd cheering all the way, stopped the clock at 39.41 seconds for third place. First and third were separated by just 0.4 of a second.
“I am so happy, it’s a dream come true to win the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva,” said Pedro, who will be familiar to many from his great performance at the Rio Olympics. “Quabri jumped fantastically in the first round and so I thought, we can go for it in the jump-off. I really tried like never before, and pushed to go fast. Quabri responded perfectly!”
The horse is a 12-year-old Selle Français by Kannan.
NINO DES BUISSONNETS’ RETIREMENT
The day was a poignant one for Steve Guerdat, who finished twelfth in the Grand Prix, the final competition for his long-time partner Nino des Buissonnets.
“The farewell was so special, it was so intense, powerful, so emotional. It was much more than I expected. The stadium was full, everyone stayed after the Rolex Grand Prix and I am very grateful to all of the public and the show, for that. It will always remain in my heart.”
2016 CHI GENEVA ROLEX GRAND PRIX RESULTS
1. Pedro Veniss (BRA), riding Quabri de L’Isle
2. Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), riding H&M Legend of Love
3. Scott Brash (GBR), riding Ursula XII
4. Kevin Staut (FRA), riding Reveur de Hurtebise HDC
5. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), riding Casall Ask
Colombia’s Carlos Lopez and Admara clinch Longines victory at La Coruña
Colombia’s Carlos Lopez galloped to victory with Admara in the seventh leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2016/2017 Western European League at La Coruña in Spain. The Ortega family’s Casas Novas Equestrian Centre was making its debut as a venue for the series, and the seven-horse jump-off was a thriller. Last to go and determined to make the most of it, Jane Richard Philips from Switzerland slotted into runner-up spot on Pablo de Virton, ahead of German legend Ludger Beerbaum and the superb Casello.
(Image: 1clicphoto.com I Herve Bonnaud)
Adding the maximum 20 points from today’s competition to the eight he collected at the fifth leg in Stuttgart last month, Carlos has moved into tenth place on the Western European leaderboard, which continues to be headed by Frenchman Kevin Staut. However, the 51-year-old Colombian, who is based in France, is unlikely to make it to the final in Nebraska (USA) next March. “We are still getting to know each other and it is not the main target for me and this horse,” said the man who made history as part of the first-ever Colombian side to reach a team final at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Normandy, 2014).
Santiago Varela’s opening round kept the numbers under control, and the first 11 riders failed to find the key. Carlos and Admara were the 12th combination out, and a brilliant roll-back to the penultimate oxer paid off when they broke the beam in 37.84 seconds. No one could catch them; Ludger Beerbaum and Casello initially come closest with 38.58, only to be overtaken by 33-year-old Jane Richard Phliips who gave it everything she had, but was still 0.37 seconds off the pace.
Admara 2 is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding who was ridden by Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano until February this year. The Colombian rider is determined not to ask too much too soon from the horse. “I’m really excited; he has improved a lot and I’ve been hoping for this victory for the last two or three shows. He’s brave and honest, a fighter and a winner. It has taken six or seven months for us to get to know each other and it’s starting to feel just right!”
The next leg of the series takes place at London Olympia (GBR) on Sunday 18 December.
Result: Admara 2 (Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo) COL 0/0 37.84; 2, Pablo de Virton (Jane Richard Philips) SUI 0/0 38.21; 3, Casello (Ludger Beerbaum) GER 0/0 38.58; 4, Mary Lou (Henrik von Ackermann) SWE 0/0 39.81; 5, VDL Groep Arera C (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/4 38.18; 6, Cassino DC (Gerardo Menendez Mieres) ESP 0/4 40.78; 7, Arrayan (Sergio Alvarez Moya) ESP 0/13 47.25.
Standings: Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2016/2017 Western European League
Points after Round 7 in La Coruña:
- Kevin Staut FRA – 56
- Romain Duguet SUI – 43
- Steve Guerdat SUI – 42
- Lorenzo de Luca ITA – 42
- Marcus Ehning GER – 37
- Denis Lynch IRL – 34
- Lauren Hough USA – 33
- Simon Delestre FRA – 31
- Martin Fuchs SUI – 29
- Carlos Lopez COL – 28
- Ludger Beerbaum GER – 28
- Pieter Devos BEL – 28
- Jane Richard Philips SUI – 25
- Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER- 25
- Sergio Alvarez Moya ESP – 25
- Cian O’Connor IRL – 22
- Henrik von Eckermann SWE – 22
- David Will GER – 22
- Maikel van der Vleuten NED – 21
- Shane Breen IRL – 21
Australia
Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug produced two amazing clear rounds at the World Cup qualifier in Sydney this weekend, unmatched by any other combination. The pair demonstrated exactly why they are at the top of the World Cup standings in Australia. Second place went to Jamie Kermond and Yandoo Oaks Constellation with two time faults (one from each round but jumping double clear). Olivia Hamood and Nero GHP were third, and James Arkins fourth with Da Vinci’s Pride.
