Kamal Bahamdan, who is a business man with only two horses, won the opening speed class at Cannes with his good mare Pinochetta. The pair also scored in a similar class at Valencia last year but Kamal was still thrilled to win. Based in Holland he trains with GCT President and Founder Jan Tops so it was a satisying way for the Tour founder to begin the show as well.
Although many of the riders treated the class as a warm up Great Britain’s Nick Skelton, who has been in very good form of late, had no intention of merely schooling Unique. His time of 62.08 looked the winner as it was two seconds faster than the previous best. But, he was followed into the ring by Christian Alhmann and Nick’s lead lasted for only the 61.99 seconds it took the German rider to finish over Serge Houtmann’s course. Kamal, though, was not intimidated by the times set by two of the world’s best and a turn into the the last line gained a half second advantage which he maintained until he was through the finish. 61.45 was easily good enough to take the 3,200Euro first prize. “It was fun” said Kamal,”my mare loves it here and you can always count on her.” Pinochetta will be stepping up in class soon as Kamal’s other horse is currently off work. “You could say she is the Lone Ranger now,” laughed the rider.
In the second, jump off class, 15 made it through to the timed round. Despite the numbers, it ended up as rather a bloodless win for Jessica Kurten with the evergreen Castle Forbes Libertina. Although Daniel Deusser and Phillip Rozier had made good attempts with times of 38.7 and 37.9 respectively, neither they or their horses, Cabreado SE and Randgraaf, had an answer to the flying Irish combination. Jessica flew over the last and through the finish in 36.15, which left owner Lady Georgina Forbes, 8,000 Euro better off. “Today Libertina was particularly wonderful, it was an honour and a pleasure to be her partner,” enthused Jessica.
Results
Class 1- Prix Barclays
1. Kamal Bahamdam (KSA) Pinochetta 2, 0, 61.45, Euro 3200
2. Christian Alhmann(GER) Perry Lee, 0, 61.99, Euro 1600
3. Nick Skelton (GBR) Unique, 0, 62.08, Euro 1200
Class 2- Prix Generali
1. Jessica Kurten (IRE) Castle Forbes Libertina, 0,0, 36.15, Euro 8000
2. Phillippe Rozier (FRA) Rangraaf, 0,0, 37.9, Euro 4000
3. Daniel Deusser (GER) Cabreado,0,0, 38.6, Euro 3000
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