The GCT Grand Prix of the Netherlands

There was no stopping Laura Kraut at Valkenswaard today. Having already won the warm up speed class on Unique, she proceeded to cap a memorable day by jumping three clears for the second time in two weeks to clinch her second GCT Grand Prix victory in the same period! The American who prior to Chantilly had never won a Grand Prix on the series, now has a back to back double. Something that has not happened in recent GCT history, if ever. Today’s show was also especially notable as His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco was among the audience.

The first round was another Uliano Vezzani masterpiece. With nearly every fence falling at some point the bogey fences were probably the combination (vertical, two strides, oxer, one stride, vertical) and the early line which included the open water with five strides to a double. But the course still produced 12 clear rounds from 50 starters, including Laura, GCT rankings leader Marco Kutscher (Cash) and former GCT Champion Jessica Kurten (Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois). With a share of the million Euro bonus at stake and only Rio left to score points towards winning it, there was a lot to play for as the second round started over a changed but slightly shorter course. Pressure was put on the leaders by the first of the four faulters from the first round, Judy Ann Melchior with Levisto Z. The grey made it all look easy although Kevin Staut matched the feat on another grey, Silvana, but it was looking for a while as if a double clear would never happen. The capacity crowd groaned as Patrick McEntee (Chivas Mury Marais), Penelope Leprevost (Topinambour), Jos Lansink (Valentina Van T’Heike), Beezie Madden (Coral Reef Via Volo), Alvaro de Miranda (AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan) and Jessica Kurten all lowered one rail each leaving all of them on a total of four over two rounds. Laura was the first to go double clear and then she was joined by Christian Alhmann and Taloubet Z, Denis Lynch with Latinus and almost inevitably, Marco Kutscher.

These four were presented with another course, this time a little more twisting and every centimetre of 1.60m in height. Laura went first and set out as if she meant business from the first and crossed the line in 36.72. Christian followed and was definitely going for it, when Taloubet hit one part of what remained of the second round combination. Denis Lynch absolutely hurled Latinus round every turn and the horse couldn’t have tried harder to respond throwing some spectacular leaps that drew gasps from the watchers. But it was to no avail. 37.88 was not quick enough. That time did leave the door open for Marco to win but he was already down on the clock when Cash made exactly the same error as Taloubet which left his rider fourth. Newly promoted World Number One Kevin Staut ended up top of the eight combinations with four faults to finish fifth.

Marco Kutsher remains the Tour overall leader but while Marcus Ehning dropped a couple of points further behind, Jos Lansink is closing the gap and the eventual recipient of the winner’s share of Euro 1’000000 is still undecided. As the winner will collect over a quarter of a million Euro, the battle in Rio is likely to be fierce.

Results

Class 4 The GCT Grand Prix of the Netherlands presented by VDL Groep.
1. Laura Kraut (USA) Cedric, 0,0,0, 36.72, Euro 95’000
2. Denis Lynch (IRE) Latinus,0,0,0, 37.88 Euro 57’000
3. Christian Ahlmann (GER) , 0,0,4, 37.17, Euro 38’000
4. Marco Kutscher (GER) 0,0,4, 37.52, Euro 28’000

Class 3
1. Laura Kraut (USA) Unique, 0, 55.56, Euro 6400
2. Puis Schwizer (SUI) Classica LS, 0, 56.52, Euro 3600
3. Denis Lynch (IRE) All Inclusive, 0, 57.11, Euro 2400

Quotes
Laura Kraut-” Cedric has just been unbelievable lately but this was different from Chantilly. There I was last but one to go and I knew what I had to do but here with these three behind me, I just went as fast as possible from the start. I figured one of them was bound to beat me so I had nothing to lose by giving it a good shot. Cedric is getting short break now, then we go to Madrid and then WEG. I just hope my run continues there as I have a feeling Tean USA will be in big trouble if we dont get a medal there, on home soil!”

Denis Lynch- “It is just great to have Latinus back to his best. This is only his sixth show after a long lay off due to injury, so I could not be happier with him.”

Christian Alhmann-”I am very lucky that the Melchior’s let me ride him, he is getting better and better but I think I took a bit too many risks in the jump off! But it is great to be third.”