Charlotte, NC – After three rounds of competition, Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil claimed the top prize in the $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte with Let’s Fly. McLain Ward (USA) and Rothchild finished second, while Karen Cudmore (CAN) and Southern Pride were third. The grand prix was the highlight event of the 2009 Charlotte Jumper Classic, CSI 5*.
There were 23 starters in the opening field, and they competed over the two rounds designed by Olympic course designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, who was this week’s course designer. The top 10 were to return for the second round, including tied scores. In the first round, there were eight clear rounds, one rider with one time fault, and six four-faulters. All 15 would return for the second round. Out of those 15, there were three double clear entries, who would return for the jump-off.
First in the jump off was Pessoa, who would have to set a quick precedent with Ward and Cudmore following. He did just that, crossing the finish line in 41.93 seconds, but at the expense of a rail at the final jump. Cudmore and Southern Pride would finish with four jumping and five time faults to finish third. McLain Ward and Rothchild, who is only eight years old, had a rail at the combination, but finished just off Pessoa’s pace in 42.75 seconds for second place.
“For me going first, I would have liked to put in a clear round to put on some pressure, but I thought that my horse jumped well throughout the jump-off,” Pessoa commented. “Just the last fence he didn’t really pick up on, but the time was really short. I was really pleased with my horse, regardless. It is always nice to win. McLain is a very experienced rider and very fast, but the horse is a little bit green, so I thought that I might have a chance of winning if he had one down. It all worked out good for me. I have been once third, once second, and now I finally won it, so I am happy.”
Final Results: $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI 5*
1. Let’s Fly, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Double H Farm: 0/0/4/41.93
2. Rothchild, McLain Ward (USA), Sagamore Farms: 0/0/4/42.75
3. Southern Pride, Karen Cudmore (CAN), Blair Cudmore: 0/0/9/47.15
4. Ralvesther, Brianne Goutal (USA), Cloverleaf Farm: 4/0/66.70
5. Aslan, Ljubov Kochetova (RUS), Ljubov Kochetova: 0/4/66.89
6. Crème Brule, Beezie Madden (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/69.39
7. Alaska, Todd Minikus (USA), Callie Seaman: 4/0/71.02
8. Night and Day 8, Jeanne Hobbs (USA), Jeanne Hobbs: 0/8/71.33
9. Naomi 152, Lauren Hough (USA), Quail Run Partners: 1/8/72.74
10. Sassicaia 11, Henri Kovacs (HUN), Plain Bay Farm: 4/8/67.27
11. Athos, Marley Goodman (USA), Marley Goodman: 4/8/71.07
12. Athena, Charlie Jayne (USA), The London Group: 4/8/71.41
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