Global Champions Tour Day 3 

After a couple of near misses Gianni Govoni finally gave the crowd a home win in the 1.45 two phase warm up class and collected a prize of just over 6600 Euro. Despite observations that sometimes in the past French concern with elegance and classical horsemanship has got in the way of a fighting finish, it was Michel Robert who started 4th and set a target in the second phase that proved almost impossible to beat. 24.63 had not looked especially fast at the time and Kronos d'Ouilly is not known as a speed horse but another 40 riders had to jump before the former World Champion's time was bettered. As usual, there was no possibility of Gianni and Joyau d'Opal playing safe, and their gallop to the last is probably what brought them home an entire second faster then Michel. The watching audience were understandably ecstatic. "For me I am very happy to win here for them" said the rider afterwards, "but this horse is a tiger, although very hot and not so easy sometimes."  Edwina Alexander was third again on Isolav Socrates  with Albert Zoer in fourth.   The real business of the day though concerned the Grand Prix and it's Euro 95'000 first prize. In all there were 49 starters of which 18 would be able to jump in the second round with a further jump off against the clock if faults were still equal.  Uliano Vezzani was possibly a little easy with his 1.60 course as 15 completed without penalty who were joined by the three fastest four faulters. Of these ten were still on equal faults and so a third round began. Ireland's Denis Lynch was first to go but had the second fence down although his time of 33.52 looked quick. Indeed, next to go Rolf-Goran Bengtsson did leave all fences intact on Ninja le Silla but his time of 35.70 was a fraction slower than Lynch's. However neither Alvardo Miranda  nor Kevin Staut could better Rolf though both were clear and it took former European showjumping champion Marco Kutchner to get a fraction in front. Cash did not appear to be moving fast at all but was very smooth and fluent and the clock stopped at 34.55. Michel Robert reached his second runner up spot of the day when Kellemoi de Pepita finished in 35.04 and Bernardo Alves was third Chupa Chup 2 after a spirited attempt to win ended with a time of 35.6.  "Winning was totally unexpected" said Marco afterwards. "in this company you cannot take any thing for granted but I think that I am taking more risks when I ride Cash now because although he is sensitive he has really begun to learn about jumping at speed. I am very happy tonight and hope I have taken a big step towards the Doha Final."   The Tour moves on to a new venue, Valencia, in May, where once again the worlds best show jumpers will saddle up for three days of the best in equestrian sport.  For full results and other information please go to www.globalchampionstour.com

© Cyberhorse 2009 Lulu Kyriacou