In one of the fastest jump-off’s of the 2021 season, it was the uber-consistent combination of Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl who stole the show in front of a full crowd at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome.
Equestrian enthusiasts roared as last-to-go Eckermann took all the risks, galloping flat out to the final fence to stop the clock a whole two seconds faster than his compatriot and current world number 2 Peder Fredricson with H&M Christian K. Irishman Denis Lynch rounded off the top three with the huge striding GC Chopin’s Bushi after another flawless round.
A speechless Henrik explained, “My jump-off might have been a little bit over the top. But when you get her going it’s difficult to get her back, she jumps better forward and I didn’t want to disturb her too much. Today it is extra special because Robin Parsky her owner is here to see it, I am really happy.”
It was a jump-off to remember as four of the world’s best came back to tackle Uliano Vezzani’s testing 1.50m track ahead of tomorrow’s Super Saturday showdown with GCL Rome round 2 and the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Italy.
Pathfinder Maikel van der Vleuten and his mount, the beautiful Elwikke – the youngest horse in the jump-off – kicked out athletically behind to keep the fences up, trying her hardest throughout. This was the mare’s first challenge at this level and she took it all in her stride, delivering the double clear in a time of 36.09 and piling the pressure on the remaining three contenders.
Swedish sensation Peder Fredricson was next in on the lightning-fast H&M Christian K. They pulled off a very tight roll-back to the crowd’s delight. Keeping all the fences up but taking a costly check to the final fence Fredricson finished in 35.51 seconds taking the lead for now.
Ireland’s Denis Lynch immediately responded with his own fast clear of the stunning GC Chopin’s Bushi. They angled the Longines Global Champions Tour upright so boldly that the horse nearly jumped over the wing. Lynch couldn’t find the first distance to the last proving costly and finishing just half a second slower than Fredricson.
Von Eckermann was a deserving winner as he controlled the pace from start to finish. The arena went silent as he set off on the huge-striding Glamour Girl to hunt down his Olympic gold medallist teammate. Last to jump, they upped the revs with every stride to the final fence, producing an absolute flyer of a round using the horse’s nimble athleticism to full effect. They finished the sprint with a giant leap over the last to break the beam a whole two seconds faster than the time to beat in 32.97 and claim the victory.
It was an incredible day of top sport, finished off with a touching moment as Glamour Girls’ owner, Robin Parsky, joined the prize-giving, presenting Henrik his winning plaque and praising the talented mare with treats.
The world’s best riders now look ahead to tomorrow’s GCL of Rome and Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Italy that commence at 11.40 and 15.00 local time for the 13th stage of the season. Tune in on GCTV to watch all the action live with expert commentary and thrilling excluding content.
Results here.
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