It was an amazing atmosphere at the LGCT GP in the GNP Mexico Jumping. Full of Mexican feeling, the show was crowded, the weather was perfect and the riders gave an even better show than expected.
A demanding Grand Prix designed by Javier Trenor, which was certainly up to the level of the riders that we had, opened the day at the CSI5* LGCT GNP Mexico Jumping. Jerome Guery (BEL), winner of the Grand Prix did not expect this victory with Quel Homme De Hus, a horse owned by his best friend, as he has been riding the horse only two months. “It’s quite new to me, I’ve never had this feeling with a horse, I really think he is special. I honestly did not expect to win and it has been very exciting.” Excitement is what Abdel Said experienced today , only 1 second away from the triumph with Venise du Reverdy, this is the first time he stepped on the podium of the Tour. “I am very happy with the mare; we have been preparing during the winter but she is still a little green for this level and I wasn’t expecting her to give that much that quick. She is fantastic.”
Harrie Smolders completed the list of winners being a few hundredths of a second from Said with Don VHP Z NOP, a 15-year-old horse. “I am very grateful, because at his age he continues jumping very well. He felt perfect in the jump-off.”
The Global Champions League has also played a leading role today, with the second stage at Mexico’s venue. Shanghai Swans, with Daniel Deusser, Shane Sweetnam and Peder Fredicson, won the qualification and lead the provisional classification of the league. However, not everything has been joy in the class; the Valkenswaard United team is left with a bittersweet taste, since after the two clear rounds of Bertram Allen and Alberto Zorzi in the first qualifier on Thursday, Zorzi’s mare Contanga suffered an injury when landing from the first element of the double, which made her hit the vertical. The mare was not able to continue and things did not look good for Contanga; however, the veterinary team were immediately on the scene and took all precautions to ensure the best care for the horse. Once back at the stables it was confirmed Contanga had a soft tissue-related injury, from which she is expected to make a full recovery in due course.
In the CSI2*, the 1.35m class has had an unquestionable winner, the young Mexican rider Martina Francos, who came out first and maintained her leadership until the end.
Tomorrow with the final classes of the CSI2*, the CSI5* LGCT GNP Mexico Jumping will close a weekend full of sport, three intense days of competition, mixed with the purest Mexican atmosphere that makes this venue a very special one, in which all the riders agree that it is one of their favorites.
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