Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
The first day of action at the
spectacular Longines Global Champions Tour of Chantilly got
underway today with two hot CSI5* classes as temperatures
rose in the unique French destination. A truly international
field featuring top riders from over 20 countries, including
World Number 2 and LGCT Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann
(GER), and World Number 3 Scott Brash (GBR) took to the
picturesque grass arena for the first time this weekend,
ahead of Saturday’s LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly.
It was the Belgian rider, Jerome Guery (BEL), with his
stunning 11 year old grey stallion Alicante who took the
feature class win this afternoon, after an impressive speed
competition saw the pair take the top spot over a second
clear of the rest of the field in 69.83s.
Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Extra van Essene took a
strong second place, jumping clear in 70.91s, and Romain
Duguet (SUI) took third in 72.42s with 11 year old bay
stallion Otello du Soleil. Daniel Bluman (COL) who won the
opening class of the day, continued his fine form to come
home in 4th with Conconcreto Apardi, just two tenths of a
second behind Romain.
The 1.50m speed course set by Luc Musette was a great test
for the top riders and horses in the world, with light poles
and full height verticals ensuring delicate and careful
jumping, but the wide expansive grass arena and large
striding distances meaning a fast pace gallop was necessary
to meet the time allowed. Just eight of the 45 starters
jumped clear, with Alberto Zorzi (ITA) with Rose du Valon,
18 year old Lisa Nooren (NED) and Vdl Groep Sabech d’Ha, and
Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (QAT) with Come Soon those finishing
in the top 10. Kevin Jochems (NED) was the first rider to
go, and the first to jump clear - leading the field for much
of the way with his 11 year old chestnut gelding Zanzibar.
The pair finished in 6th place overall, however were beaten
by the big striding Alicante, and Jerome Guery (BEL) who
looks to be on phenomenal form following his run of success.
With two top horses at the LGCT Chantilly, Jerome will be
one to watch in tomorrow’s Grand Prix competition, and will
undoubtably looking to maintain momentum through the
weekend.
Today’s opening class win went to Columbia’s Daniel Bluman
with his 10 year old bay mare, the aptly named ‘Believe',
after the pair rode a stunningly quick and careful round in
the beautiful Chantilly setting. Ireland’s young speed demon
Bertram Allen (IRL) set the pace for the field earlier in
the class with his phenomenally fast chestnut gelding Quiet
Easy. Bertram was the first to break the 70second time
barrier, raising the bar for the rest of the field after he
and the 10 year old horse crossed the line clear in 69.04s.
The course was a fair test for the riders with enough
questions asked to challenge the best combinations in the
world. The penultimate double caught a few of the top riders
out - come in too fast and the first rail would fall, come
in too steady and the back rail would go. Notable
combinations in action were Ludger Beerbaum (GER) with
Casello, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) with Casall ASK, Luciana
Diniz (POR) with Fit For Fun, Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani
(QAT) and First Devision, LGCT Ranking leader Christian
Ahlmann (GER) with Cornado II, Scott Brash (GBR) with Hello
Forever and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) with Caretina de
Joter.
Local rider Jérôme Hurel (FRA) was the highest place home
finisher with Urano, taking third place overall after an
impressive round to cross the line in 69.43s.
The two CSI5* classes were the first test for the world
class field ahead of tomorrow’s Longines Global Champions
Tour Grand Prix of Chantilly, with many of the best horses
in the world in action on the stunning grass arena, set
against the iconic Château de Chantilly and the beautiful
Grand Stables, which are surrounded by peaceful parkland,
gardens and the Forêt de Chantilly.
Tomorrow at 12:45 the international field of world class
riders will take centre stage once more. All the action will
be broadcast live via GCT TV as the momentum builds towards
Saturday’s Grand Prix, which takes place at 15:30 local
time. Sunday will see the Global Champions League of
Chantilly kick off at 16:45 local time, with the twelve
teams in action as the overall ranking battle tightens.
The Grand Prix of Chantilly will played out against the
exquisite backdrop of the Château de Chantilly and the
beautiful Grand Stables, which are surrounded by parkland,
gardens and the Forêt de Chantilly. Between the elite level
show jumping competitions, visitors can enjoy the Musée
Vivant du Cheval (Living Horse Museum), created by Yves
Bienaimé in 1982, where the equestrian world of the past and
present is brought to life in visually stunning equestrian
shows and dressage demonstrations. Then it’s back to the
picturesque arena for a stunning display of horsemanship
from the world’s best riders.
Longines Global Champions Tour of Chantilly is set to be an
exciting event on the 2016 calendar as fans and sports men
and women from around the world come together in the grounds
of a beautiful French château to enjoy show jumping at its
finest.
For a full rider list, please click
here. For more information on the event, please click
here.