Jos Lansink was the inaugural winner of the Gucci Grand Prix. Lansink and Valentina were one of nine riders that qualified for the jump off on a very delicate and difficult course designed by the American Conrad Homfeld. Several great riders incurred faults such as Friday night’s winner Marcus Ehning, (13 pts. with Leconte), Albert Zoer (8 pts with Okidoki), Edwina Alexander (4 pts with Itôt du Chateau), Michel Robert (8 pts with Kellemoi de Pepita), Marco Kutscher (eliminated with Cornet Obolensky) and European champion Kevin Staut (8 pts with Kraque Boom).
In a very demanding jump off, the Belgiam world champion, was the fast clear with his chestnut mare, a daughter of Nabab de Rève. Irishman Denis Lynch and All Inclusive NRW finished second and another Belgian rider Philipp Lejeune on Vigo d’Arsouilles took third place. Vigo is also a son of Nabab de Rève, a stallion that Philippe rode at international level. The best French rider was Timothée Anciaume with Laam de Fétan in sixth place.
Results of the Gucci Grand Prix
1. Jos Lansink (BEL), Valentina van’t Heike, 0 pt, 42.55
2. Denis Lynch (IRL), All Inclusive NRW, 0 pt, 43.32
3. Philippe Le Jeune (BEL), Vigo d’Arsouilles, 0 pt, 43.90
4. Ludger Beerbaum (ALL), Coupe de Coeur, 4 pts, 41.38
5. Eric Lamaze (CAN), Hickstead, 4 pts, 41.80
6. Timothée Anciaume (FRA), Laam de Fétan, 4, 42.99
7. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SUE), Ninja La Silla, 8 pts, 41.51
8. Simon Delestre (FRA), Couletto, 4 pts, 46.51
9. Pius Schwizer (SUI), Carlina, 8 pts, 44.72
A Complete Success
“Fantastic, extraordinary, exceptional” were the comments for the riders after the first edition of the Gucci Masters. Nobody hesitated in describing the show as a big success.
Nelson Pessoa: “In Paris the public is used to big sport events like the tennis at Roland-Garros or Bercy. We had to make a show from the highest level. It was a big challenge but I think we proved that equestrian sport has a lot to offer to the public.”
Top sport was the order for the show in both the CSI5* and the CSI*2 with plenty of well known riders. Even the CSI* featured important personalities like the former tennis champion Martina Hingis.
With 40,000 visitors over the four day in the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte and 120,000 visitors for the Salon du Cheval, the goal has been reached. It was a big challenge for the team of Christophe Ameeuw, the organsier of the Gucci Masters. “Its difficult to organise a show at a place you don’t know. I’m of course more than satisfied. I have very brave team that I can not thank enough. But we are here to start a show and to continue, so next year we will be back. Paris is really a magical city.”
Quote:
Marcus Ehing (GER, n 1) “For a first edition it is incredible. A great show! It will be hard for the organisers to do better next year. One thing is sure, I will try to come back next year, with a super memory of my victory in the Rolex Top Ten on Friday night.”
Eric Lamaze (CAN, Olympic champion) “It is one of the best indoor shows together with Geneva and Lyon. Nothing was wrong, the footing was great, the environment and the courses. Perhaps the organisers were afraid because it is at the outside of Paris but the French public knows the sport and came to see the best riders in the world. Really if we had shows like this every week-end life would be fantastic.”
Rolf-GöranBengtsson (SWE, vice Olympic champion) “It was great, the place is perfect to organise a show. With a little bit less music at the party at night it will be super next year.”
Marco Kutscher (GER) “My impressions ?Very simple, just perfect. There is really nothing you have to change. This kind of event is what our sport needs. With the Salon du Cheval next to the show, the public could visit the Salon in the afternoon and come to the horse show in the evening. For us riders there was a lot of space and the airport and the hotels are very close, that’s an ideal situation.”
Michel Robert (FRA) “It ‘s an example. After a show like this we are proud to be French! Even if the organisation is a little bit Belgian… But we live in Europe ! With Lyon and Paris, France has great shows and we need that for our sponsors and for the public.”
About the European Equestrian Masters
Founded by Christophe Ameeuw and Nelson Pessoa, the living legend of show jumping, European Equestrian Masters is organising two major CSI5* indoor events, Brussels and Paris. The International Jumping of Brussels relaunched in 2004 has now become one of the best indoor event of the world and hosted the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in 2008. European Equestrian Masters will be organizing the CSI5* in Paris and as from 2010 will be managing both Brussels, last week of November, and Paris, first week of December.
About the Paris Horse Show
Founded in 1972, it is propriety of the Ceneca along with the Paris International Agricultural Show and its president, Jean – Luc Poulain is also president of the two shows. The Jumping event, along with the World Arabian Horse Championship (4 – 6/12) and the International Volting Competitions (5 -6/12) are among the most prestigious events of the annual show. The ever increasing 170,000 visitors and over 400 exhibitors have demonstrated their genuine passion to be present at this wonderful and successful gathering, each December.
About Gucci
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery. Eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders in these two sectors. Gucci products are sold exclusively through a network of directly operated boutiques (272 at June 2009) and a small number of selected department and specialty stores.
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