Source:  News Release

Lauren Hough wins Massimo Dutti Prix aboard Ohlala;
Pius Schwizer and Coolgirl take first 5* honours

A wonderful conclusion to the first day of competition here in London. The 4th leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour is officially underway here in England, with a full-list of international equestrian talent right here in London.

Lauren Hough, representing the USA, went early on the 1.50 Massimo Dutti Prix aboard the slight but very fast, Ohlala. A horse Lauren had great success with this winter in Florida, this combination took no one by surprise with their early lead. "She's a very fast horse but we went early on so it was a long wait" said Laura but it certainly was worth the long wait.

Despite plenty of fast combinations left to the end of the class, such as Laura Kraut and Jubilee d'Ouilly, Laura Renwick and Oz de Breve as well as Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Eureka, Lauren was able to keep hold of her early lead through a total of 49 horse-and-rider combinations.

"She's a great horse, I'm very lucky to have her" said Laura after the awards ceremony.

There was a special moment at the prize giving, as Laura entered the ring, the speakers played "Born in the USA" by none other then Bruce Springsteen. Lauren smiled humbly as her friends, Nick Skelton, Laura Kraut and Jessica Springsteen, joined by Patty and Bruce Springsteen, clapped with enthusiasm for her wonderful win.

A fantastic end to our first day here in London.

Pius Schwizer and Coolgirl take first 5* honours

Swiss rider Pius Schwizer and his grey mare Coolgirl scooped the first win of the first-ever Longines Global Champions Tour of London at the Olympic Park.

Pius led the honours in the opening 5* of the four-day event was up against strong competition from the big British contingent on home soil with Mark Armstrong riding to second place on Thesaura, only 0.04 second behind Pius. William Funnell on Billy Angelo, John Whitaker on Argento, Alexandra Thornton on Caballero all rode solid clears rounds in the opening class.

Bright blue skies greeted riders, spectators and ViPs at the stunning arena at the International Quarter of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The courses designed by Uliano Vezzani included fences showing famous British tourist attractions like Stonehenge and No10 Downing Street as used at the Olympic Games in Greenwich Park last summer.

Tomrrow's action will be another curtain raiser for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Saturday, where the world's best riders will be competing for ranking points and the €450,000 prize money on the 4th leg of the championship series.

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