Global Champions Tour: Show time for Doda in determined win in Cannes

Source: News Release

Show time for Doda in determined win in Cannes

Alvaro de Miranda took honours on Show Show in the 1.50m class just before midnight on the French Riviera against a strong field of international rides.

The Brazilian rider looked in dangerous form as he sped round the Hesperides arena in Cannes finishing in 60.47 ahead of Frenchman Julien Epaillard on Mister Davier in 61.08 and Penelope Leprevost in thrird on Nayan in 63.30.

The class was a chance for the best riders in the world to limber up on their Grand Prix horses in the first floodlit competition of the series so far ahead of Saturday’s big class. Earlier in the class Jane Richard Philips had taken the lead on Pablo de Virton and Jessica Springsteen was one of the fastest on four faults on Vindicat W.

Course designer Uliano Vezzani is set to deliver a challenging technical course tomorrow in another day of strong competition ahead of the 5th Grand Prix of the season with crucial ranking points at stake.

There was a party atmosphere around the Cannes arena last night with glamorous guests enjoying hospitality in the VIP lodges and spectators enjoying the night time jumping at the highest level, only metres from the Mediterranean.

Photo credit: Stefano Grasso/Longines Global Champions Tour

Top class combinations ready for tonight's 5*

Photo credit: Stefano Grasso/Longines Global Champions Tour

Top combinations are expected in tonight's two CSI5* classes as the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes kicks off on the French Riviera. Many of the world's best will be warming up their top mounts ahead of Saturday night's Grand Prix.

Two-time season winner Edwina Tops-Alexander will ride her amazing Cevo Itot du Chateau in the Louis Julian & Fils Prix tonight while Michael Whitaker will compete on his lovely gelding Viking, hoping to repeat his victory at the opening leg in Madrid. Patrice Delaveau will ride Ornella Mail HDC and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will compete on her powerful mare Bella Donna. Double Olympic 2012 silver medallist Gerco Schroder will compete with his Belgian-bred stallion London as part of a strong Dutch contingent here in the French Rivieria.

Our current leading season ranking rider Luciana Diniz will ride her Olympic gelding Lennox while Jessica Springsteen will compete on the relatively new mount Zero, a 9 year old Dutch-bred grey gelding. Jessica won't be the only rider competeing with new horses in this class. Rodrigo Pessoa, one of Brazil's most famous show jumping names, is competing on Gustavo Mirabel's G&C Consigliere. Athina Onassis de Miranda will be riding AD Camille Z, a mare she has been having great success with this season.

Last year's runner-up in the overall 2012 Longines Global Champions Tour season standings, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, has brought only his amazing stallion Casall Ask to compete for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes title and will ride in the first class.

Tonight will provide a strong insight into the form of riders chasing glory in the Longines GCT Grand Prix of Cannes on Saturday night.