There wasn’t a dry eye in Rome as Victor Bettendorf secured his first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win onboard nine-year-old Foxy de la Roque in 34.07 seconds. Under the picturesque setting of Circus Maximus, last to go Bettendorf wrote his name into the history books and picked up the penultimate golden ticket to the exclusive Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Riyadh later this year.
Beating the fastest man in show jumping, Simon Delestre had to settle for second today with I Amelusina R 51 as he stopped the clock over three seconds slower than Bettendorf in 37.51 seconds. The only other double clear of the day went to LGCT Grand Prix of Cannes winner Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann on Messi van ‘t Ruytershof who opted to play it safe and guarantee herself a place on the podium for third place in 39.76 seconds.
Tearing up in his winners interview, Bettendorf said: “It’s a dream come true to compete with all these guys at these shows. I will need to sleep a few days to realize this win I think. I was already happy just to be qualified for the Grand Prix when you see the list of the riders. So I did not even dream about winning. She did her first ranking class last year in August and since then it’s just improving and it’s like a walk in the park with that mare. I’m going in the ring and I’m having fun, so that’s the reason why we do this sport, it’s amazing”
Talking about his qualification for the LGCT Super Grand Prix he went on: “Normally I watch these shows on TV. I never even dreamed that I get to participate in a show like that – so it’s a bit strange that I am going to be there.”
Securing his fair share of the €500,000 prize pot, Simon Delestre explained: “I had a feeling that I could go faster than Janne and I had a feeling that Victor would go faster than me. So I tried to go for it and secure a clear. At the moment Amelusina is in super form and will go to Rabat where I hope we can catch the last ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix!”
On flying form, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann told GCTV: “I am so happy, what can I say? It was a little bit of a tactic going in since there was no clear before me, so I went for the clear. For us the team Cannes Stars is the priority, but still if you have the chance in the LGCT championship to have a good ranking I will give it my best.”
Now leading the LGCT Championship going into the final stage in Rabat after his fourth place finish today, Christian Kukuk said: “I am close to being speechless. It’s unbelievable the performance Just Be Gentle brings week after week and Grand Prix after Grand Prix. It was very important today. I was the first to go out of Max Kühner and I, and having that clear round puts him a little bit under pressure.”
It is closer than ever heading into the LGCT Championship Finals. After Max Kühner’s 12 faults in today’s LGCT Grand Prix of Rome, he handed the lead to Christian Kukuk on 242 points while Kühner stays on 234 points. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann has jumped into third place on 216 points, and after a rail down in the jump-off today Maikel van der Vleuten slides into fourth on 212 points making it a race to the finish in Morocco!
The historic Circus Maximus offered a stunning backdrop for this world-class event, with its ancient Roman ruins serving as a testament to the rich history and traditions that make Rome a uniquely captivating host for international sporting competitions. As the crowds poured into the Circus Maximus, fans were on the edge of their seats as the world’s top riders battled it out for glory in Rome.
The first combination and Longines triple proved to be the most influential fences of the first round with many riders falling victim including top names like David Will, Katrin Eckermann and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar. Legendary riders like Marcus Ehning, Andreas Schou, Roger Yves Bost, and John Whitaker all missed out on the jump off with faults on course proving just what a test this 1.60m track was built by the Italian hero Uliano Vizzani.
There was silence in the arena as Max Kühner entered the arena wearing the LGCT Championship leader’s armband. Knowing a win in Rome today could also give him the 2024 title win, he was full focused onboard Eic Julius Caesar. But it wasn’t to be today as it all fell apart in the famous Longines tipple combination collecting 12 faults dropping right down the order and meaning the fight for the championship title goes on to the final stage of the season in Rabat.
Seven riders managed to flawlessly navigate the challenging course designed by Uliano Vizzani. Gold medalist Christian Kukuk delivered the first clear aboard Just Be Gentle with Italy’s own Piergiorgio Bucci and Hantano ensuring there would be a jump off here in Rome.
First to go in the jump off was Christian Kukuk and Just Be Gentle who had huge pressure on them to keep the championship battle alive against Max Kühner. The German rider set off quickly and it looked as if he had it in the bag but a stutter at the penultimate fence meant four faults for the rider in a quick time of 35.38 seconds. It was good enough for a fourth place finish overall and he now takes the lead in the Championship race as LGCT heads to Rabat to determine the title of 2024 LGCT Champion!
The crowd cheered as local hero Piergiorgio Bucci entered the arena on Hantano. The Italian rider looked fast as he navigated the course. A miscommunication on the second to last fence dashed the Italian’s hopes of a home victory, ultimatly moving into sixth place as the slowest on 8 faults.
Chasing the championship points, Maikel van der Vleuten looked determined as he started the course. He took the pace up a notch with Beauville Z N.O.P. taking strides out where possible but his dream of a win in Rome fell apart when the third to last fence came tumbling down alongside VIP. He shook his head as he came out the ring knowing he hadn’t done enough to add his name to the qualified riders for the LGCT Super Grand Prix as he slid behind Kukuk in 37.55 seconds to take fifth when it all finished.
With the female fire power out in full force, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann found a nice rhythm with Messi van ‘t Ruytershof aiming for a second LGCT Grand Prix win this year. The German rider looked to be on track for a clear, which would surely put the pressure on the final two riders to come but opted for a risky tactic with a safe clear but guaranteeing a podium finish in 39.76 seconds.
Known for his speed Simon Delestre, on the hunt for a win, set off at a quick pace aboard I Amelusina R 51. The French rider soared across the course making it look easy. The pair kept it tight and smooth, not taking too much risk in the last line as they came home clear in 37.51 seconds and had the dreaded wait to see if it was enough, not only for the win but the ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix that he has been chasing all year.
Victor Bettendorf was last in this thrilling jump off with the 9 year old Foxy de la Roque who has jumped three 1.60m classes and won every time. Eager to better Delestre’s time, he raced across the course at a lightning fast pace. The rider from Luxembourg sailed over the final fence, securing his first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win as cheers echoed through the Circus Maximus. He punched the air and pointed at his horse, not believing he managed to cut 3 seconds off the time to beat.
As the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome comes to a close, riders and spectators from around the world eagerly anticipate the thrilling Finals in Rabat, Morocco set for October 18-20.
Results here.
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