The Longines Grand Prix was the only class of the CSI5*W A Coruña today at Casas Novas. With a total prize money of €210,000, €69,300 of which were given to the winner, it was a stellar moment, the previous test of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Casas Novas Trophy, a qualifying leg which will be held tomorrow.
The great participation of the CSI5 * W A Coruña reflected in a spectacular CaixaBank Trophy, the class highlighting the first day of competition. World number one, Henrik von Eckermann, was edged out in the final phase of the class by young British rider, Harry Charles. Great sport was seen in the indoor arena of Casas Novas to say goodbye to the opening day of CSI5*W A Coruña.
Madrid is a happy hunting ground for Julien Epaillard. The French rider came out on top in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League qualifier twelve months ago with Billabong du Roumois, and today he did it all over again with another 10-year-old, the extraordinary mare Caracole de la Roque.
At the 2021 Spanish fixture he was on a roll throughout the week before recording that victory and this year he was on flying form once more, winning Friday’s qualifying competition and then trampling the opposition into submission this afternoon. He only had six opponents to fend off last time around, today there were 15 through to the jump-off. But none of the rest could match the turn of foot and accuracy of his classy mare who might have been even quicker but for a momentary safety-check halfway around the jump-off course.
It had been seven months since Lillie Keenan (USA) had jumped internationally in the United States when she met her stallion Agana van het Gerendal Z for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas (USA). She received a warm homecoming when she recorded her first career World Cup victory, besting a six-horse jump-off before a packed crowd Saturday night at the South Point Hotel.
World number one Henrik von Eckermann and his super-steed King Edward showed the pure class that helped them earn Team gold for Sweden along with the Individual title at this summer’s ECCO FEI Jumping World Championships when posting a definitive victory at the fourth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League in Verona, Italy.
Heading into the jump-off for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lexington (USA), Daniel Bluman (ISR) did not want to take a big risk to the third fence in the short track, a spooky wall. But then his competitive spirit took over. Bluman's bold turn to the fence put him on track to victory over a seven-horse jump-off with his longtime partner, Ladriano Z.
He has long had a reputation as a super-fast rider, and today Julien Epaillard set the home crowd alight when scorching to victory with the great mare Caracole de la Roque at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League qualifier on home ground in Lyon (FRA).
The 45-year-old Frenchman was in flying form all week, with three big wins already under his belt including Friday night’s Longines Grand Prix in which he steered Caracole to pip Germany’s Jana Wargers and Limbridge. Today it was Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli and VDL Edgar M who had to settle for runner-up spot while The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver finished third.
Making the very best of her last-to-go draw, Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli galloped to victory in the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League series in Helsinki, Finland today.Riding the feisty 12-year-old mare Kalinka van de Nachtegaele the 35-year-old rider was tenth to go in the jump-off but only saw pathfinder, Belgium’s Gilles Thomas, take his turn before her.
In 2019 he did it with his great grey gelding Clouzot du Lassus and today young Swiss star Bryan Balsiger did it again when winning the highly competitive opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League with the mare Dubai du Bois Pinchet.
From a starting field of 38 there were 11 through to the jump-off, and the 25-year-old rider was fourth to go against the clock. Setting the target in 41.38 seconds he then had an agonising wait while the rest tried to catch him, but in vain.
Team Belgium enjoyed a perfect day today when not only winning the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 Final but also earning a qualifying spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It was their third victory since the Longines Final was first established at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain back in 2013. They came out on top in 2015, and then did it again three years later, but today’s success was particularly sweet.
On the final day of ESP Spring II, a new partnership continued to blossom as Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, took top prize in the Sunday afternoon feature class, winning the $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3*…
Stay updated with our latest news and offers. Subscribe now!