Photos: Stefano Grasso / LGCT
Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Forever
triumphed in an epic battle set against the stunning
backdrop of Cannes, taking top honours in the Longines
Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes presented by
Haras des Grillons. The two-time LGCT Champion of Champions
took a sensational win against a star-studded field, which
included 8 out of the top 10 riders in the world.
Four of the fastest riders on the circuit squared up for the
finale against the clock and it was the last rider Scott who
produced a brilliant and daring performance, drawing gasps
from the crowd, as he delivered the winning round.
“He’s a real trier – but I think it can get a lot smoother
yet!” said Scott. “It’s still early days with him. He can
make my life a bit difficult at times but the best is yet to
come with him.”
The British national anthem rang out to celebrate Scott’s
second victory in the Cannes Grand Prix – his last victory
came with Hello Sanctos back in 2014. Edwina Tops-Alexander
(AUS) with Lintea Tequila rode a brave and beautiful round
to take the silver medal and Daniel Deusser (GER) continued
his run of good form taking third spot on the podium with
Equita Van’t Zorgvliet.
As the sun set and the floodlights came on in the Stade Des
Hesperides in Cannes, only 50m from the world-famous La
Croisette and super-yachts moored at this glamorous location
on the French Riviera, it was standing room only as crowds
were treated to turbo charged sport on the eighth leg of the
2016 Longines Global Champions Tour, still led by Christian
Ahlmann (GER). It couldn’t have been more different from the
thunder and lightning storms that hit the show on Thursday
night.
Last night it was announced that the venue would have a
mulit-million re-development further enhancing the facility
as a sporting venue.
Uliano Vezzani set a challenging test of full blown Grand
Prix fences with a mix of tall, gappy verticals and gaping
oxers required precision, especially round the tight turns
in round one with the last two fences of an oxer over a
water tray to a vertical on either four or five strides
proving the biggest test.
Eight jumped clear, with Denis Lynch (IRL), winner of Friday
night’s CSI5* 1.50m with All Star 5, on an unfortunate
time-fault, and a raft of four-faulters, the quickest of
which made it through as part of the top 18, creating a
stellar line-up for round two. Taking pole position was the
2012 Olympic gold medallist Scott Brash (GBR), who showcased
skilful riding with the ever-eager Hello Forever.
Uliano’s second round track proved more straightforward with
three doubles rather than a triple combination, and some
hairpin bends to keep riders on their toes. For those
carrying forward four faults, the strategy was to produce a
quick clear to climb up the leaderboard and it was Laura
Renwick (GBR) who profited the most, riding the fastest
second round clear and rising up to finish sixth with
Bintang II, just ahead of Kevin Staut (FRA) and Marcus
Ehning (GER) who both put their foot down but kept the poles
up.
Denis Lynch (IRL) stayed on a steady tempo for another clean
round of jumping to finish on the one fault carried through
and was placed fifth, just missing a spot in the third and
final round.
The jump-off track contained two new fences, with some sharp
turn backs and concluded with the Longines double, followed
by a right hand turn and a race to the final oxer and over
the finish line.
First up, Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) galloped the course with his
mare Sangria Du Coty to post a brilliant clear in 40.52s,
much to the delight of the home crowd who leapt to their
feet as he crossed the line. Hot on his heels, Daniel
Deusser (GER) and Equita Van’t Zorgvliet found some amazing
angles with the courageous horse obliged at every turn.
Their challenge was less than a second quicker, with the
pair clear in 39.32sec.
Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Lintea Tequila raced out of
the starting block and the sparky mare did everything she
could, twisting in the air and proving incredibly agile
through the double. They met the last on a stunning stride
and slid into the lead, clear in 38.67s.
However, it was the brilliant Scott Brash (GBR) who stole
the show, with the combination in a determined mood, quickly
finding top gear as they galloped to the fences. The crowds
gasped as 10-year-old Hello Forever, owned by Lady Harris
and Lady Kirkham, leapt cat-like, using his acrobatic skills
to ensure every pole remained intact. The pair motored round
the final bend to nail the final fence and stop the clock in
a stunning 37.98s which had the crowd on their feet all
around the arena.
Christian Ahlmann (GER) still dominates at the top of the
table as the Tour progresses to Monaco in a fortnight for
leg nine of what is already an incredible and
hotly-contested 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour season.
Jan Tops, president of the Longines Global Champions
Tour: "When we started in 2006 with the new concept of
the Global Tour, Francois was directly on board. We’ve been
partners for 11 years now and I think we can see that every
year is better and better. We have a great relation between
the organisation and the riders - there’s a lot of
confidence there. And you see also today that the sport is
exceptional again because we have the great riders here and
great course-builder Uliano. I must say the first day we
were a little bit unlucky but today the circumstances were
great, and in this weather the horses feel good. I always
say the horses feel good here in the south of France - with
this weather, the horses are loose, they are relaxed, and
they jump a little bit more than any other place. Also for
the Tour, it’s getting closer – they are catching up to
Christian. Of course he’s still in the lead but only seven
legs are counting so everything is open till the end and
Scott made it really exciting today."
Francois Bourey, President of Jumping Cannes: "It’s a
fantastic evening. After Thursday we were a little bit
worried about the weather but we had a fabulous jump-off and
I would like to congratulate Scott, Edwina and Daniel,
because we have probably one of the fastest and best
jump-offs we’ve had since a very long time. I’d like to say
thank you also to Uliano [Vezzani]. We have great support
from the Mayor of Cannes, the City of Cannes is absolutely
fantastic for the show. I have the honour tonight to say
big, big works are starting next year on the Stadium of
Hesperides which means between four and six million euros to
start a new concept for the show. So it’s absolutely
fantastic when a city follows you like this. It’s great for
the Global Champions Tour and it’s great for the sport. That
man trusts our organisation also, which is a great honour
for us and I’m very pleased to say that to you this tonight
because I think it’s one of the most exceptional things that
could happen for us."
Scott Brash, LGCT Cannes Gold Medallist: “My horse
gave everything - he tries his hardest. He can make life a
little difficult for me at times, but he really tries when
he gets there and he’s a winner. The nice thing is I think
the best is still to come from him, so I’m very happy. It’s
nice to know it’s in him, and I hope we get more wins in the
future."
Edwina Tops-Alexander, LGCT Cannes Silver Medallist:
“Going to the second fence I saw the distance that I needed,
which is what Scott had, and I just couldn’t get it. I gave
as much as possible but I knew when I came out that it
wasn’t enough - he’d have had to have had one down for me to
end up winning. He deserved it, he gave maximum effort
today. It was an amazing jump-off, a fast jump-off; a
difficult course, like it was a difficult course last night
as well, but it can’t be too easy otherwise it’s not
exciting, so thanks to the organisers and the sponsors, it
was a great one tonight.”
Daniel Deusser, LGCT Cannes Bronze Medallist: “I have
to say I’m really really happy with my horse. For me it’s
quite a new horse, and only the third show we’ve done
together and she really tried today. In the jump-off I knew
I had two very fast riders behind me, Bosty was not slow
also. I tried to be faster than Bosty, and I just got him,
but I knew that the others might be faster. Big
congratulations and I’m really happy with my third place.”
Christian Ahlmann, LGCT Ranking Leader: “I’m in a
good position with more shows coming. Taloubet jumped really
good today - we were a little bit unlucky in the first round
today with a fault. I have to thank the organisers, Jan and
all the sponsors, for the very nice show. I’d like to
congratulate the podium winners, and the course designer -
it was a very nice class with the right amount of riders in
the jump-off. Everyone could see it was amazing sport,
really nice to watch but next time I’d like to be part of
[the jump-off] again!”