The President of the UAE Showjumping Cup carried 300,000 Euro total prize money with 90,000 going to the winner. This event is among the richest Grand Prix in the world, exceeded only by the Global Champions Tour shows and the CN Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in Canada. To make sure this huge prize was well earned Olaf Petersen Sr. built a course full of technical turns rather than thricky distances making this a true test of rider skill.
At the end of the first round there were eleven qualified for the jump off and biggest casualty of the first round was Clarissa Crotta. Crotta’s mount, West Side van Meerputhoeve, got into a bit of trouble coming out of a one stride double at six jumped his rider off. The Swiss team member appeared to land on her feet but was taken to hospital for an xray of her ankle. At time of writing there was no more news of the extent of her injury.
Jos Lansink was fouth to go on his Gucci Masters winner Valentina van’t Heike and they took the lead with a speedy 36.43 over the shortened couse. Lansink is not World Champion for nothing, if anyone had forgotten, and he judged his round perfectly as those who went faster, faulted. The last fence was the bogey and ruined the chances of Billy Twomey, Cameron Hanley, Rolf Goran Bengsston and Robert Smith. Only Lars Neiburg with Lord Luis and Ben Maher with Robin Hood W were able to successfuly go clean to take second and third. Abdel Said did the Gulf states pround by coming fourth on Avenir.
Michel Hecart struck a blow for France in the opening speed class when winning the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club Prize worth 10,000 Euro to the winner. Another competitor on his first visit to the Gulf, Hecart has been impressed by the show and its facilities. “But for me I like to come here because it is outdoors. My horse is much better out than in. Although it was a long journey and I think my horse was tired on the first day but Norton de Vains seems OK today. We would have liked to send a French team but this is the same week as Bordeaux and by the time we realised enough riders were prepared to come, it was too late to change plans.“
Juan Carlos Garcia continued his outstanding season and made up for a rare off day in yesterday’s Nations’ Cup by taking second on Paulin. Great Britain’s Robert Smith, who has been placed in almost every class here was third on Raging Bull Vangelis.
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Results
Class 5 the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club Prize
1. Michel Hecart (FRA),0,56.04,Euro 10’000.
2. Juan Carlos Garcia (ITA) Paulin,0,56.59, Euro7000,
3. Robert Smith(GBR) Raging Bull Vangelis, 0,57.54, Euro4500.
Class 6 The Emaar President of the UAE Showjumping Cup
1. Jos Lansink (BEL) Valentina van’t Heike, 0,0,36.43, Euro90’000.
2. Lars Neiburg (GER) Lord Luis,0,0,36.62, Euro60’000.
3. Ben Maher(GBR) 0,0, 36.69, Euro40’000.
4. Abdelkader Said (EGY) Avenir, 0,0,37.19, Euro30’000.
Quotes
Jos Lansink – “I am a pretty happy man today. I bought Valentina as a six year old from her breeder but only half as I am only a poor farmer! She was spirited and I did not have time for her at first so I gave her a year off and then used her for Nations’ Cups which have taught her her business. As for chestnut mares, well I have a few more at home but perhaps not as good as this one!”
Lars Neiburg – “I was second in Zurich last week and second here but as Lord Luis is not fast, I think it is fair to say I am a lucky loser!”
Ben Maher – “My horse is also not the fastest but he is super consistent and we did slip slightly on one turn but I am thrilled with both my horses, this has been such a good week. And I hope a boost for British showjumping.”
By Lulu Kyriacou, press agent
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