A Big Win for World Number One Steve Guerdat (SUI)

There was a lively atmosphere surrounding Meadows on the Green for the 2019 ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Forty-seven international riders started the competition in hopes of making it to the winner’s circle. The technical track designed by FEI Course Designer Alan Wade (IRL) challenged the riders to jump 14 obstacles (17 efforts) clean in a time allowed of 87 seconds.

Only six riders were able to jump a clean first round and advance to the jump-off. Jennifer Gates (USA) was the first to go in the jump-off and laid down a solid clear round with a time of 46.73s. The lead didn’t last long as Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) put in a clear ride with a time of 45.54s, taking over the lead. The pressure to be fast caused Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Daniel Coyle (IRL) to have one and two rails respectively and just like that there was only one to go.

World number one Steve Guerdat (SUI) had been hungry for a win all summer with multiple top-three finishes over the last three weeks of tournaments. Aboard Venard de Cerisy, Guerdat kept his composure and sailed over the finish line with a time of 43.95s to win the 2019 ‘Pan American’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.

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