Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
It was a spell-binding Longines Global Champions Tour Grand
Prix du Prince de Monaco presented by Sapinda, with speed
demon Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and his impressive grey horse
Caspar 232 claiming top honours at the prestigious event
after an incredible nine rider jump-off. Talking about what
it means to win a LGCT Grand Prix, an elated Emanuele said:
“For every rider to win a Grand Prix is good, but to win a
Global Champions Tour Grand Prix is special - it’s amazing.”
Compatriot Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) took a strong silver
medal with his horse Casallo Z, with the horse’s sire Casall
ASK finishing in third with Swedish rider Rolf-Göran
Bengtsson.
Christian Alhmann (GER) keeps hold of his lead as overall
ranking leader, still on a tally of 209 points. However the
Championship fight has intensified, with Edwina
Tops-Alexander (AUS) closing the gap to the top German
rider, moving up to 169 points overall, and Rolf-Göran
Bengtsson (SWE) just a whisker away in third with 160
points. Drop scores now come into play, with the top eight
results counting towards the final LGCT Champion of
Champions title battle, and with six events remaining it’s
set to be an exhilarating gallop to the finish to see who
will come out on top.
The Grand Prix took place in the presence of His Serene
Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and other royal guests
including Queen Noor of Jordan, Princess Caroline of
Hannover, daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, and Princess
Beatrice of York. Global business figures including Anuncio
Ortega watched as the action unfolded, with a glittering
turnout of Monaco society and guests from around the world.
Prince Albert was joined at the prize giving by Grand Prix
presenting sponsor Sapinda Chairman of the Board Lars
Windhorst at the prestigious ceremony.
Luc Musette set the bar high for the first round of
competition, designed to challenge the best international
riders in the world. Nestled between the super yachts and
the Formula 1 pitlane, 42 top combinations took to the arena
and centre stage in the heart of the Principality. Watched
on by passionate fans who lined the edge of the arena, a few
big names failed to make it through to round two; LGCT
Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann (GER) was one of the
surprise drop-outs, with his eye-catching stallion Colorit
clipping a pole, leaving them with four penalties.
Audrey Coulter (USA) was the first to jump clear with
Capital Colnardo, making the 1.60m jumps look effortless as
the stallion took them in his stride. She was quickly joined
by Christina Liebherr (SUI), Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER)
and Jos Verlooy (BEL) with Caracas, all of whom earned their
place into round two.
Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) set the initial early pace after a
beautiful round with his 11 year old bay stallion Bisquet
Balou C, however he was soon pipped to pole position for
round two by Germany’s David Will (GER) who set off at a
blistering pace around the tight course. David rode his
chestnut mare Mic Mac du Tillard beautifully, turning
sharply but allowing enough time to allow for careful
jumping.
Scott Brash (GBR) showcased another masterful round with the
relatively young Hello Guv’Nor, and was joined by compatriot
Laura Renwick (GBR) with Bintang II. Final rider to go John
Whitaker (GBR) and Ornellaia didn’t disappoint, with the
legendary British rider finishing second in the Grand Prix
here last year. They too joined those through to round two,
splitting the two young riders Nicola and David. Rolf-Göran
Bengtsson (SWE), Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Edwina
Tops-Alexander (AUS), Jerome Guery (BEL), Denis Lynch (IRL)
and Cassio Rivetti (UKR) were some of the strongest
contenders but it was Germany’s David Will and top horse Mic
Mac du Tillard who lead the way into the second round, with
David looking on fantastic form with his spirited chestnut
mare.
Round two saw the top eighteen return to the sand arena as
the floodlights came on. The course was technical and asked
many questions once more, with tight cut backs and galloping
distances creating a challenge for the top riders. Both
Scott Brash (GBR) and Laura Renwick (GBR) were caught out by
the double combination, rolling a pole to the groan of the
crowd who watched just metres away from the action.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson looked competitive with the 17 year old
Casall showing all his experience and flair in the tight
arena. John Whitaker (GBR) set a blistering place with his
mare Ornellaia, putting them in prime position for the
jump-off, with Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Jerome Guery (BEL)
and Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) all looking racy ahead of the
final round. Last rider to go David Will (GER) rode at
Formula One pace, galloping the distances but the fiery
chestnut mare Mic Mac du Tillard just got away from him at
the final fence, knocking the pole and eliminating them from
the last round of competition.
Nine went through to the jump off, with Janne-Friederike
Meyer (GER) and Chuck 27 starting off the final round and
setting the pace at 40.51s. But the jump-off immediately
moved up a gear, with Rolf shaving off a full two seconds to
stop the clocks at 37.95s. Next to go Emanuele Gaudiano
(ITA) and Caspar 232 galloped around the course, turning
tight to the fences and covering the ground with the grey
horse’s large strides to finish in 36.64s. His compatriot
Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) and Casallo Z pushed to beat the
time, but had to setttle splitting the top two to finish in
37.37s. Jerome Guery (BEL) and Alicante looked impressively
fast, but the gallop to the last was too much for the grey
stallion and he refused the final fence. Last rider to go
John Whitaker (GBR) entered the ring with Ornellaia, and
took some brave shortcuts, with the crowd on the edge of
their seats. But the pair couldn’t match the timing of the
top three, finishing fourth and handing the win to an
ecstatic Emanuele.
The Tour now looks to Paris for the 10th round of action in
the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour.
Jan Tops, Founder and President Longines Global Champions
Tour: “It was a very Italian day! Emanuele took off at
the final fence and I think he could have taken one fence
more! He’s a great trier, he’s always a great trier, and
today was his day. Piergiorgio was also fantastic, I think
it’s the first time we have him on the podium. It’s great to
see new faces do so well. Rolf has been with us for the past
10 years, he’s a machine of clear rounds, and I don’t think
there are many more who have been on the podium as much as
he - Casall is incredible. In the Rankings everything has
become closer together - Christian is still very comfortable
but only eight results count, so it’s still open. Monaco is
unique; all the riders are happy and pleased to ride in such
nice environment - the crowd are amazing, the setting is
beautiful.”
Emanuele Gaudiano, LGCT Monaco Gold Medallist: “We
bought Caspar when he was young, and have worked together to
this point today. Today was his first 5* Grand Prix win, he
jumped every round better and better. He’s not a typical
horse for this ring but he did an amazing job. I think for
every rider to win a Grand Prix is good, but to win a Global
Champions Tour Grand Prix is special - it’s amazing."
Piergiorgio Bucci, LGCT Monaco Silver Medallist:
“It’s great to be on the podium. My horse jumped amazing. It
was a great atmosphere and really like a Formula 1 - and I
would like to thank [Jan Tops] who made it all happen. It’s
another sport, it’s another feeling and I’m very happy to be
sitting here next to this man. Congratulations to Emanuele;
he’s a great jockey and it was a super day for him, like
many other days! I’m very happy with the result.”
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, LGCT Monaco Bronze Medallist:
“It’s nice to see there are five [offspring of stallion]
Casall here, and two on the podium. They’ve all done well.
Casall is 17 years of age, he’s strong, and he’s been so
many times on the podium - he’s an incredible horse. It was
fantastic sport here tonight, everyone went faster and
faster and tried so hard - it’s fantastic surroundings in
Monaco. The crowd are very enthusiastic which is very good
for us.”
Christian Ahlmann, LGCT Ranking Leader: “On the paper
it looks quite good but now only eight results are counting.
I hope some wins are coming in the next few shows! To watch
again a wonderful, really hot jump off, like it was in
Cannes was nice, but it would be better to be taking part in
it again next time!”
Top Ten - LGCT Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco presented
by Sapinda
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Emanuele Gaudiano // Caspar 232
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Piergiorgio Bucci // Casallo Z
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Rolf-Göran Bengtsson // Casall ASK
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John Whitaker // Ornellaia
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Christina Liebherr // L.B. Eagle Eye
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Janne-Friederike Meyer // Chuck 27
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Cassio Rivetti // Coleman
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Nicola Philippaerts // Bisquet Balou
C
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Jerome Guery // Alicante
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David Will // Mic Mac du Tillard