Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
Ludger Beerbaum (GER) took a sensational
second Grand Prix win on the 2016 Longines Global Champions
Tour following a stunning competition set against the
beautiful backdrop of the Chateau de Chantilly. Riding his
13 year old grey mare Chiara 222, the master of the sport
took his second Gold medal on the 2016 season, claiming the
full 40 points available and shooting up to second on the
overall rankings. Compatriot Daniel Deusser (GER) came a
close second, just tenths of a second from the lead with the
chestnut First Class van Eeckelghem, and Columbia’s Daniel
Bluman (COL) took third place with his 11 year old bay
stallion, Conconcreto Apardi.
The cream of show jumping featured hea vily in Chantilly for
the seventh leg of the Tour, with a nail biting eight rider
jump-off which left the thousands of passionate crowds right
on the edge of their seats. The high calibre field in the
jump-off produced extraordinary split second finishing
times, repeatedly shaking up the final result.
It was a chic VIP scene with high profile figures from the
worlds of entertainment and business watching on as the
action unfolded on the expansive grass arena. Despite the
threat of stormy weather, crowds packed the grandstands with
no seat spare to witness a true battle of the Titans in
France's 'Capital of the Horse'.
In the LGCT Ranking battle, Christian Ahlmann (GER) still
leads the way on 186 points overall. Ludger Beerbaum (GER)
moves to second in 126 points, and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
(SWE) moves up to third, just one point behind, in 125
overall.
50 riders took centre stage as the Longines Global Champions
Tour Grand Prix of Chantilly got underway. The first round
course set by Luc Musette required careful horses and scopey
jumping; light poles and full height verticals demanded
precision jumping, with the temptation to gallop at the
fences in the large grass arena. With wide oxers followed by
delicate 1.60m verticals, the course tested the elasticity
of the horses, and the forethought of the riders.
A few big names were caught out, including LGCT Ranking
leader Christian Ahlmann (GER), who unusually tipped two
fences with his stallion Colorit during round one - breaking
his six consecutive run of Grand Prix placings on the Tour
so far. Last year’s winner Gregory Wathelet (BEL) was
another to missed out on round two, joined by Jerome Guery
(BEL), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and leading French
rider Patrice Delaveau (FRA).
Those through and at the sharp end of the grid were Luciana
Diniz (POR) with the chestnut mare Fit For Fun 13, Pieter
Devos (BEL) with Espoir, home rider Robert Breul (FRA) with
Arsouille du Seigneur, young talent Jos Verlooy (BEL) and
his phenomenal grey stallion Caracas, Daniel Bluman (COL)
with Conconcreto Apardi and Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) with
Cool and Easy. Other big names through included the
legendary Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE)
with his formidable stallion Casall ASK, Lauren Hough (USA)
with the eye-catching Cornet 39, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS)
with Caretina de Joter, Jessica Springsteen (USA) with Cynar
V and Daniel Deusser (GER) on First Class van Eeckelghem.
Home rider Julien Epaillard (FRA) lead the way into round
two, much to the delight of the packed local crowd, after a
blistering round with his 12 year old bay gelding, Quatrin
de la Roque Lm.
The second round saw a testing course, with a tough triple
catching out many of those through. The same delicate poles
cost a few their place in the jump-off, as the crowd watched
in anticipation to see who, if any, would jump clear and
ensure a third round.
David Will (GER) and Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) both put in
two brilliant clears, however carried the four faults
through from round one, meaning they would not progress any
further. Jessica Springsteen (USA) rode two stunning rounds
with the grey Cynar V, however narrowly missed out on the
jump-off after Cynar V put in an extra stride to the
penultimate fence, tipping through the fence and collecting
four faults. Compatriot Lauren Hough (USA) was also caught
out by an unlucky first rail at the triple, and unable to go
through to the jump-off, and Jos Verlooy (BEL) jumped a
stunning double clear with the grey stallion Caracas,
however were a touch over the time and picked up an
agonising time fault.
A total of eight riders went through to the jump-off with a
world class line up promising scintillating competition.
Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), Edwina
Tops-Alexander (AUS), Luciana Diniz (POR) and home rider
Robert Breul (FRA) were just a few of the names who lined up
for the final round of action, with the crowd clapping and
chanting the riders into the arena. The jump off course can
only be described as a gallop, full of sharp turns and long
distances ensuring an exhilarating final.
First to go were the mighty combination of Rolf-Göran
Bengtsson (SWE) and Casall ASK, however the pair took the
corner a touch too tight to the second fence - the full
height 1.60m vertical - knocking the light pole and
side-wing and leaving them with four faults and a base time
of 39.75s. Next up Leopold van Asten (NED) also had an
unlucky pole down at the wide oxer, proving the final round
would be a test for even the world’s top riders.
Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Caretina de Joter were the
first to ride a beautiful clear round, putting the pressure
on the remaining riders as they crossed the line with a
spectacular time of 39.77s. Next to go was Germany’s Daniel
Deusser (GER) and First Class van Eeckelghem who rode a
beautifully crafted round; they took a stunning line to the
double, taking a stride out which suited the long striding
horse, and crossing the line in 38.98s.
Ludger Beerbaum (GER) and Chiara were next to go and took
six strides to the double however their turn was
sensational, with the pair pipping Daniel to the line in
38.28s, just tenths of a second ahead.
Columbia’s Daniel Bluman (COL) and his stallion Conconcreto
Apardi rode a flat out round, but couldn’t beat the German’s
time, coming home in 39.45s. The final rider to go was 2015
LGCT Champion of Champions Luciana Diniz (POR) who looked to
be a huge threat for the win, until she and Fit For Fun
clipped the final pole at the last following a flat out
gallop and collecting four faults.
So it was legend of the sport Ludger Beerbaum (GER) who took
the win, his second out of four competitions on the Longines
Global Champions Tour so far. The Tour now turns to leg 8,
where it will return to France and the star-lit city of
Cannes for the next stage in what is turning into a
fascinating 2016 season. Tomorrow will see the Global
Champions League of Chantilly take place, with twelve teams
fielding world class riders as the GCL Ranking points battle
intensifies.
Jan Tops, Founder and President Longines Global Champions
Tour: “It’s seven years we have been coming to
Chantilly, it’s a great partnership here with Gérard. Even
with these weather conditions we we re able to have great
sport this afternoon. Everything is very close - in the
class, the first four or five are within half a second of
each other which shows how much the precision counts, how
the turns are so important - even if the field is big.
German are very dominant, and Christian is still in a very
comfortable position - even if Ludger wins the next one
[Christian] will still be in the lead. On the other hand,
Ludger has had two great results - he won in Hamburg and
he’s won here again, so I think it will be exciting until
the end.”
Gérard Manzinali, President Jumping Chantilly:
“Everything was perfect except the weather conditions! On
Monday we were prepared to cancel, however the ground was
good and with the great work from all the team it was able
to happen. It is a great place and a great set up, and
congratulations to the great winner, Ludger Beerbaum.”
Ludger Beerbaum: LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly Gold
Medallist: “I saw Daniel [Deusser’s] round and it gave
me the right kick. I think he really went for it, leaving
one stride out. I wasn’t really sure if I should go for it
also at that point - I jumped the double and went for it,
saw the five and put in six, so thought "**** I have to get
going!” I spun back to the vertical, hoping there was a
stride, and luckily there was one, so I think I made it on
that turn. I’m really happy I have the opportunity to ride
[Chiara] - she’s a horse I can really rely on. She’s fast,
it’s only our second CSI5* win and she’s only jumped three,
so I’m really pleased. I’m also pleased with my overall
standing position; of the seven legs, I’ve only competed in
four. One in Shanghai, I was clear in the first round but
couldn’t go in the second as Chaman didn’t feel right.
Originally the plan was to go to Madrid, however I had to
cancel due to Chaman’s breeding schedule. This was also the
reason I didn’t go to Miami and Mexico - I suffered a bit
watch ing from home via GCT TV, and watching them go! For
the moment with the four results I think I can be really
pleased. At the very end only the seven best [results]
count, so I still have some hope.”
Daniel Deusser, LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly Silver
Medallist: “My strategy was absolutely to try my best to
win today. I knew that I didn’t have the naturally fastest
horse, so I decided to try and do five strides to the
combination, which I think no one else could do afterwards.
Still at the end it was just not enough, but nevertheless I
was very happy with the way he jumped the three rounds
today, and I’m going to try again!"
Daniel Bluman, LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly Bronze
Medallist: “It feels good [to be on the podium again]. I
always say the first time is beginner’s luck, with my first
podium in Hamburg, but twice on the podium means we’re doing
one or two things right so we’re feeling really good. Being
part of the Global Champions Tour definitely makes you a
better rider, just by seeing the best riders in the world
and the team’s work. I’m delighted to be here today.”
Christian Ahlmann, LGCT Ranking leader: “I can feel
[Ludger’s] breath already! Today was not our best day as we
didn’t make the second round. My overall position is good
for the moment, but it’s also maybe time to take the reins a
little bit shorter and ride clear again!"