In a thrilling second day of competition at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2019 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today, Team Belgium rocketed up from overnight eighth place into pole position when they were the only side to produce three clear rounds.
In an afternoon of non-stop sporting drama Dutch star Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) faced down the heavyweights of the show jumping universe to pull off an extraordinary home win in Valkenswaard.
Silver for Larocca, Jr. means individual Olympic quota place for Argentina, while USA's Madden claims bronze in thrilling four-horse jump-off.
“We had a task to do, and we did it in style!” said British Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard today after her team posted a superb victory in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland in Dublin (IRL).
Brazil capped an unforgettable two weeks at the Pan American Games 2019 with a convincing gold medal for its jumping squad at the Army Equitation School at La Molina in Lima, Peru, qualifying them for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The medal marked the third in as many equestrian events in Lima, after bronze medals in both dressage and eventing assured Brazil’s Olympic qualification in those respective disciplines last week.
Steve Jobs’ daughter competes at Lima 2019 alongside the best riders in the Americas, who, in turn, highlight the level of the equestrian venue in La Molina.
A Belgian victory in Chantilly is not rare. Nicola Philippaerts, Constant Van Paesschen, Gregory Wathelet and Jérôme Guery have all taken a turn atop the podium. Pieter Devos hadn’t yet, but he’s had no shortage of success in France, already winning twice in Bordeaux. Today, he got to add the Groupama Masters to the list.
31-year-old Irishman Darragh Kenny has grown accustomed to the taste of winning. This month alone he has posted atop the podium no less than four times, including two Grand Prix in Belgium. Yet, this one here in Chantilly with Balou du Reventon is undoubtedly one of the most incredible of his bourgeoning career. After his second place in the LGCT Shanghai, this first place finish was well deserved, and something the ambitious Kenny described as a “relief”. The 2019 Longines Global Champions Tour Chantilly is a show he is unlikely to ever forget.
As said best by Gary Lineker, “In the end, it's always Germany who wins!” The statement rings true this weekend, as the incredible German won both Grand Prix in Paris. Today, it was with a mare, Ailina, who also belongs to the Zangersheide stud-farm.
Saturday is a big day at the Longines Global Champions Tour with both the second and final round of the team event for the Global Champions League, and the individual LGCT Grand Prix. The hero of the day in the individual LGCT Grand Prix was a German who is a regular on the podium himself, but whose horse had yet to jump a 5* Grand Prix prior to today. For 10-year-old stallion Take A Chance On Me Z and Christian Ahlmann it was the best possible result!
The competition in Paris has just begun, and it is under the most amazing conditions—a beautiful sun, an incredible line up of riders and the public already filling the stands. And what an outcome it was in the opening event of the CSI5*!
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