16,000 people watched as American rider Lauren Hough was last into the ring and ended up leading the women to a one, two, three finish in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Germany.
It is perhaps a bad sign for course builders when the first horse into the ring in a big class goes clear but Frank Rothenberger need not have worried too much. Although Hong Kong’s Kenneth Chen did exactly that, by the end of the first round there were just ten clear rounds from 50 starters but the time was quite tight and possibly more of an issue that the actual course.
Six went through to the second round with a single time penalty. Pushing to make the time might have resulted in mistakes being made by several combinations including the likes of world champion Jos Lansink who had one down and a time penalty on Spender. In addition to the six combinations with the single penalty, there were 10 others with clear rounds as well as both Marcus Ehning and Jessica Kurten who got through as fast four faulters.
American Laura Kraut with Cedric was the first to go double clear which must have made up somewhat for Cedric’s uncharacteristic stop in the second round last wek in Valencia. Kraut was soon joined by another lady, Edwina Alexander (Cevo Itot du Chateau) as a line involving the water and the combination took its toll of the field. It look as if it would be an all female jump off until the last two riders also jumped a second clear round. Marco Kutscher went clear on Cash to keep the home fans happy and the last person to join the list was another American lady, Lauren Hough on Quick Study.
In the timed round it seemed as if it was all going to be about time as Laura Kraut felled the second vertical on Cedric. Then Edwina made an amazing turn from the third to the fourth which put her seconds up on her predecessor but Itot du Chateau slipped on the easier turn into the second last double and hit the first part. The Australian lost her advantage then but was still a fraction faster in 38.43. Marco Kutcscher had no option but to go for it but Cash, despite his ground eating stride, was a little slower and then demolished the last vertical in 38.94. This, of course, meant that last to go Hough only had to leave the fences up to win. It was immediately obviously that the American had decided to go for a steadier clean round and her risky strategy paid off when Quick Study flew over the last oxer and stopped the clock in 42.46 but with all fences still intact. ~ by Lulu Kyriacou, GCT Press Agent.
Result
1. Lauren Hough (USA) Quick Study, 0,0,0, 42.46 Euro 95’000
2. Edwina Alexander (AUS) Cevo Itot du Chateau, 0,0,4, 38.43, Euro 57’000
3. Laura Kraut (USA) Cedric, 0,0,4, 38.84, Euro38’000
4. Marco Kutscher (GER) Cash, 0,0,4, 38.94, Euro 21’850
GCT Standings after two rounds
1. Marcus Ehning 66 (points)
2. Marco Kutscher 65
3. Laura Kraut 54
4. Judy Ann Melchior 52
5. Leon Thijssen 52
6. Roger Yves Bost 46
7. Lauren Hough 40
8. Timothee Anciaume 40
Quotes
Lauren Hough – “This is the biggest win of my career although I have done Nations’ Cups and such like before. I didn’t rush in the jump off as I had the advantage of being last to go and saw the others slipping so I just went out and kept to my plan. I have had this horse since he was seven, he is eleven now and he is my leading ride at the moment. I will be going to Turin next week and then I will do some Nations’ Cups and after that we will see.”
Edwina Alexander – “Frank Rothenberger did a really good job with the course. The first round was not so big but the time made it a challenge as it added pressure and I think we had a good result in the end.”
Laura Kraut – “The main difference between this Grand Prix and last week in Valencia was just that I rode better!”
Marco Kutscher – ”Maybe I should be first but I am being a gentleman and letting the ladies go first! Seriously, I am a little disappointed. I had a small hesitation to the planks, I had to put a stride in and perhaps that is what cost me the win because I thought I had done enough to win.”
Janne- Fredericka Meyer (5th) – “I never usually get time faults but both my horse and myself are small and this course was big! One thing is for sure, I never got this much money for fifth place before!”
Marcus Ehning- “It is good to be at the top of the (GCT) ladder keep on top of ladder and to keep there I will do all the GCT rounds as well as Nations Cups. I am lucky that I have enough horses to do both things.”
Jan Tops – “The venue at Valencia is extraordinary but here it is the crowd who are the special thing. They have their roots in horse sport and are like no other in the world.”
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