Jumping Verona began the jumping proper today with a 1.45 speed class that might have been treated by some as a warm up class but not luckily not everyone. The class proved an exciting opener as it should have with a Euro 5000 first prize. The money in the end went to Switzerland’s Werner Muff riding Unik. The nine year old has won several international classes before this and his time of 53.6 was just good enough to take the lead. “I have been to Verona before but I have not started as well as this on other occasions” said Werner afterwards.

He had taken pole position from Bernardo Alves and Kingly du Reverdy who had been one of the earlier competitors and set the standard of 53.86. The Brazilian held his place for over half the class before the lead was taken from him. However neither was quite sure of their first and second prizes until America’s Lauren Hough had been. She made a good effort on Available Versace but stopped the clock at 54.05 which was good enough for third.

In the Premio Dainese, Bernardo Alves went one better than in the first class by winning on Bridget. The combination took two seconds off the eventual third placed pair of Niels Bruynseels and Cipollini who were almost first to go into the ring when they set their time of 60.19. “My horse is still young, so I took no risks but he has a very big stride” said the Belgium rider who is enjoying his first visit to Verona immensely. With one chestnut mare already in the lead, it was another who eventually claimed second. Edwina Alexander and the rather headstrong Kisby split the other pair with a time of 59.77 despite the round not going at all to plan when Kisby got a bit strong. Bernado had added another 6250Euro to his days winnings and after the class he said, “I wish I had a few more like Bridget. She is amazing and can do anything, she is so careful. I love her! This is why I did not take her to WEG, she has only done five other Grand Prix’s, so she is still learning and I think so much of her, I want to give her time.”

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