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Longines

Global Champions Tour 2015

 

Sommario:

Scott Brash rockets up championship ranking after Monaco Grand Prix win - 25 to 27 June 2015 (Day three) ***

Monaco society turns out for top sport and entertainment  - 25 to 27 June 2015 (Day two) ***

Emanuele Gaudiano and Beat Mändli take the titles during the first day of competition in Monaco - 25 to 27 June 2015 (Day one) ***

The stage is set for top riders to compete in the glamour of Monaco - 25 to 27 June 2015 ***

 

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

Scott Brash (GBR) wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Du Prince De Monaco, sponsored by HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) SA in spectacular style with Hello M'Lady after an incredible jump-off featuring many of the very best horses and riders in the world. His victory catapulted him up the championship ranking into second place, and in touching distance of the leadership going into the eighth leg of the Tour in Paris next week. John Whitaker (GBR) came a close second with his effortlessly agile Argento, the bay stallion galloping to the fences and giving everything in front of the packed grandstands. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) kept up his streak of success, riding Admara 2 home in third place, a fantastic achievement after his earlier win in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco.

The first opening CSI5* competition ahead of Saturday's Grand Prix of Monaco set the tone for the main event with a British 1-2 making the headlines. Scott Brash (GBR) wowed the crowds once more as he took the win for the CSI5* Prix Sapinda class, riding Hello Annie clear almost two seconds ahead of his compatriot John Whitaker (GBR) who delivered another fast round with his talented mare Ornellaia. The battle for the top spots was intense, with four riders all within just tenths of a second apart, however the third place position went to Santiago Lambre (BRA) who finished just three tenths of a second John's time, with a 47.51s.

45 of the world's best combinations lined up ahead of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Du Prince De Monaco, sponsored by HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) SA. With riders from seventeen different countries competing in the tight 75m x 28m sand arena, the world watched from the grandstands and via the live broadcast as the spot light turned towards the main show. The challenging but fair course, designed by Luc Musette tested the agility and speed as many of the top names in show jumping battled it out for a place in the next stage of the competition.

The first round saw 15 riders jump clear, with three more making up the top 18 who would test the new course. Jessica Springsteen (USA) set the pace early on with a beautifully balanced clear ride with her bay 14 year old mare Lisona, showcasing both talent and class as she completed the fast course. Guided by her new trainer, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Jessica won through the jump-off and rode a triple clear, finishing in 5th place - a sensational achievement for the young American as she was watched by her father Bruce, and mother, Patti.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Caroline of Hannover and Charlotte Casiraghi also joined international guests to watch the top riders in the world battle for glory. Chelsea FC tycoon Roman Abramovich had earlier watched his daughter Sofia compete and stayed to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. Anuncio Ortega, billionaire head of the Inditex fashion empire, joined guests during the evening.

As night fell, nine riders went clear in the second phase of the competition and through to the jump-off, while the VIP guests and visitors looked on. The battle intensified when Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) set the bar high early on, after a phenomenal round with Vienna Olympic to cross the line in 29.96s. He was just beaten by John Whitaker (GBR) who once more galloped to each fence, pushing the pace as his bay stallion responded to the electric atmosphere and managed to shave off precious tenths of a second, coming home in 28.83s. Third last to go, Scott Brash (GBR) took to the course, riding Hello M'Lady with fantastic pace and agility to take further tenths of a second off John's time, finishing clear with 28.45. Emauele Gaudiano (ITA) made a valiant attempt to better the time, but crossed the line in 28.90s, finishing in third place.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco was the first win for the nine year old mare Hello M'Lady, who's athletic ability shone during this intense battle, earning her place as a strong back up to Hello Sanctos, Scott's number one ride. The co-owners of Scott's horses, Lord and Lady Harris, were in attendance to witness their super mare showcase her skills under Scott's careful guidance.

Scott has now closed the gap to just 36 points behind ranking leader Luciana Diniz (POR) who now has 181 points. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) is now in third place on 128 points, and Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) moves up to 4th with 123 points. Next week the Tour moves to Paris, where the top riders in the world will descend on the incredible venue at the Eiffel Tower; as the world's premier show jumping circuit passes the halfway stage.

Scott Brash, Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Du Prince De Monaco sponsored by HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) winner: "It’s good to have a horse who can take the pressure off Sanctos. She’s a phenomenal horse, she’s young, she’s only nine, so she’s inexperienced and it’s only the third or fourth time I have pushed her against the clock and she’s a fantastic mare and I’m privileged to be riding her. Whenever my owners come I seem to win so they must be my lucky mascots, they need to come more often!

"There’s still a long way to go, I’m going to take one leg at a time and it’s great to be in this position at this stage, but there’s still a lot of jumping to go so a lot will change round yet."

Charles Villoz, Vice President of Longines: "Let me say that once again we are very proud and very honoured to be the official timekeeper. We had a great show yesterday evening, but tonight it was just special. It’s a great sport, I love it, and all the people, all the guests love it as well. I would like to congratulate everybody but first and foremost Scott Brash for a fantastic ride."

Jan Tops, President and Founder of the Longines Global Champions Tour: "Again, for the seventh time this year, especially in this magic place, in Monaco, it’s a really special atmosphere, different than any other. Scott, who is looking again to beat Luciana, who has a very narrow margin in the title race at the moment, no-one has done three wins in a row and I know Scott wants to do this, he told me. We have to thank not only the sponsors like Longines and HSBC, I think it’s important the recognition we have to give to Monaco for the support we have from the government and everybody. It’s exceptional what we can do here and build this in eight days, so thank you very much."

John Whitaker, Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Du Prince De Monaco sponsored by HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) second place: "I think I just need more experience! No, it’s been a very good week actually, Argento is getting better and better, touch wood, and I’ve had a great week - I don’t think I’ve had a fence down. Ornellaia jumped really good, she won yesterday. Argento today, he jumped unbelievably and I was just a little bit cautious to the last fence, that’s where Scott caught me, but I can’t complain, I’m in there, at my age it’s good."

Emanuele Guadiano - Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Du Prince De Monaco sponsored by HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) third place: "My horse jumped very good the first day and today I tried but they are really fast riders, really good riders and I am very happy with this result."

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

It was another electrifying jump-off during the second day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco as John Whitaker (GBR) claimed the top spot with his 10 year old bay mare Ornellaia in the CSI5* Prix de la Federation Equestre de la Principaute de Monaco. As the crowds of fans and VIP guests looked on, just centimetres away from the heart of the action, 41 combinations from 19 different countries lined up to take their turn around the first 1,50m course. With the tight and challenging course testing the agility and speed of the world's best show jumpers ahead of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco, eight of the riders completed the course clear and went through to the intense jump-off round.

Ben Maher (GBR) was the first to set the bar high in the jump-off, with a blindingly quick round on his beautiful chestnut gelding, the fiery Aristo Z, crossing the line in 34.89s. The crowd watched in anticipation as the remainder of the riders tried to better his phenomenal time, with Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and his mare Gotha FRH the closest with 35.11s. One of the last to go, John Whitaker (GBR) knew he would have to pull an incredibly quick round out of the bag, and stepped up the pace with his mare Ornellaia, pushing hard between the fences to clinch the win from his compatriot Ben in 34.14s, just seven tenths of a second clear.

The Monaco society was out in force for today’s Longines Global Champions Tour, with the event becoming a leading fixture in the Principality’s social calendar and is under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco. As dusk fell Princess Caroline of Hannover joined her daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, one of the world’s style icons, for the evening’s feature Pro-Am competition.

Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MOR) and Iñigo Lopez de la Osa Escribano (ESP) galloped to victory to the delight of the crowd for HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) SA as the team competition took place later that evening. The Olympe Capital team of Dietlinde Thomel (MON) and Yazmin Pinchen (GBR) came a close second place as the competition hotted up, with Guillaume Canet (FRA) and Jessica Springsteen (USA) of team Gucci Kids taking the third spot. With sixteen teams competing in the 1,10m / 1,30m relay, the competition drew gasps and cheers from the packed audience as the amateur and professional combination riders battled it out against the clock for a dramatic finale of the second day's competition during the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco.

Charlotte, Hon. President of the event in Monaco, said: “Monaco is very fortunate to have such an event as the Longines Global Champions Tour here along with other important sports like the Grand Prix and the Tennis Open.” The fun atmosphere attracted tourists and residents to the show ground for an evening of sport and entertainment beneath the Prince’s Palace.

Global business leaders, sports stars, models and socialites mingled at tonight’s party at the floodlit arena alongside a dazzling fleet of super yachts. Earlier leading riders were among guests taken by immaculate white tenders to lunch aboard one of the stunning boats. VIPs from America, Russia, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia enjoyed the balmy Riviera evening ahead of the build up to tomorrow’s Grand Prix which starts at 18:30 local time.

 

Competing today were the following teams:
Eurosport - Peter Gustafson & Maikel van der Vleuten
Clear Channel - Wenceslas Thomel & Emanuele Gaudiano
Amade Mondiale - Ilaria Sutera & Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
Transport Maritime - Matilde Giorgia Bianchi & Emanuel Bianchi
Olympe Capital - Dietlinde Thomel & Yazmin Pinchen
Monaco Matin - Cheyenne Westebbe & Martin Fuchs
Gucci - Charlotte Casiraghi & Edwina Tops-Alexander
Federation Equestre de la Principaute de Monaco - Tamara Harnett & Christian Ahlmann
Magic Millions - Georgina Harvey & Marco Kutscher
PremiuMares - Milena-Maria Pappa & Pius Schwizer
Sapinda - Tess Carmichael & Abdulrahman Al Rajhi
Noor Fares - Electra Niarchos & Christina Liebherr
HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) SA - Iñigo Lopez de la Osa Escribano & Abdelkebir Ouaddar
Gucci Kids - Guillaume Canet & Jessica Springsteen
Class Horse TV - Federica Leone & Luca Maria Moneta
Longines - Vittoria Fuser & Ignace Philips

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) took a sensational win following a daring jump-off in the main CSI5* feature class of the first day at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco. With royal and sporting celebrities amongst the prestigious guests in attendance on the first day of show jumping in the beautiful Port Hercule, the seventh leg of the Tour got underway on the Cote d'Azur.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was welcomed to the event by Longines Global Champions Tour President and Founder Jan Tops, and watched his niece, Charlotte Casiraghi competing in the beautiful open sand arena nestled between the super yachts and city backdrop. The Royal Party greeted several guests including the Finnish Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, who was also visiting the show. Also in attendance was Princess Caroline of Hannover, Charlotte's mother, who joined HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco to watch the action as the first day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco took place.

Switzerland's Beat Mändli took the first CSI5* title of the weekend in spectacular style during the Prix de la Federation Equestre de la Prinicpaute de Monaco, riding a stunning round with the beautiful Zander to go double clear in the 1,45m two phase competition and coming home in 26.89s. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) took a strong second place with VDL Groep Quatro, and Jessica Springsteen (USA) came home in third with her bay 12 year old mare Davendy S, just tenths of a second off Maikel's time.

As the evening progressed the second of the CSI5* classes took place under the balmy early dusk of the Monégasque setting. Spectators lined the streets alongside the arena as the stars of show jumping took centre stage once more to compete in the 1,50m / 1.55m Prix Massimo Dutti and with 44 combinations taking part from 19 different countries, there was everything to play for in this stage of the competition.

After an intense first round, 16 combinations went through to the jump-off, and after a pause for a spectacular fireworks display across the Port Hercule, the riders walked the course ahead of the final round of the evening. Riding against the clock, one of the first to set the early pace was John Whitaker (GBR) with his famous stallion Argento, riding clear once more in 32.37seconds. His fellow brit Scott Brash (GBR) soon bettered his time with the quick and careful Hello Annie in 31.58s, and he was soon followed by Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Heidi du Ruisseau Z who came just tenths of a second off Scott's time, finishing third in 31.66s.

Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) was the second to last rider to go and delivered a beautifully quick and accurate round with his 10 year old bay gelding Admara 2 to come home in 31.50s, finishing just eight hundredths of a second ahead of Scott Brash. He took the title, with Scott in second place and Edwina Tops-Alexander finishing the top three.

 

Tomorrow will see more action set against the stunning city backdrop of Monaco, with CSI5* classes starting at 17:00 local time. Keep up to date via our website and GCT TV live here.

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

The seventh leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour will see the very best show jumpers in the world return to the glamour of Monaco for this historic round of competition on the French Riviera.

With riders from the show jumping heartlands of Germany and the UK, plus top competitors from Japan, Ukraine and Morocco amongst those in contention for the prestigious Grand Prix win, the stage will be set for an action packed weekend, with riders competing in the 75m x 28m sand arena nestled between the superyachts and famous Formula 1 pitlane set up. Current ranking leader Luciana Diniz (POR) who is on 160 points, will be back in the spotlight and looking to improve on her current and significant 50-point lead as we reach the midway point of the 2015 season. All eyes will turn to world number one, Scott Brash (GBR), who will be in a strong position to turn up the heat as he pushes to close the gap and reclaim the top spot within the championship. Scott currently has 105 points, just 5 points off Pius Schwizer (SUI) who is in second place on 110 points, and with the top ten riders just a few points apart showcasing the high calibre of show jumping, the excitement is set to continue as the season unfolds.

Last year's winner, Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) will return with fond memories to Monaco and will be hoping for a repeat of his historic 2014 win, which saw him as the first Qatari rider to claim a Grand Prix title. Since then, he and his fellow compatriots have been consistently amongst the top riders throughout the season, and will be looking to raise the bar of the competition higher still as they battle it out for the prestigious Monaco win.

With riders such as Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Eric Lamaze (CAN), Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Ben Maher (GBR), Lauren Hough (USA), Kevin Staut (FRA) and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) amongst a few of the top names in attendance for this leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour, it looks to be yet another round of top level competition amongst the most talented horse and rider combinations in the world.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco will take place at 18:30 under the dusky early evening light on Saturday 27th June, and with a total of 300,000 euros up for grabs, plus valuable championship points, there's everything to play for as the world's best show jumpers take centre stage.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco will be broadcast on Eurosport, BeIN Sports, Equidia, and Class Horse TV, plus will be live via GCT TV on http://www.globalchampionstour.com/gct-live/

 

Please click here for the latest rider list.