Longines Global Champions Tour, Lausanne: Al Sharbatly races to victory in the Prix du Qatar

Source: News Release

Al Sharbatly races to victory in the Prix du Qatar

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

The final CSI5* class of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Lausanne, the Prix du Qatar, was won by Abdullah Al Sharbatly (KSA) with Andrea. Second went to recent World Championship Team Gold medallist Jur Vrieling with VDL Zirocco NOP and 3rd to young rising star Bertram Allen (IRE) with Romanov. The class was a fast and furious race against the clock which had the crowd rising from their seats in excitement as each horse crossed the finish line.

The first round was a technical course built by Belgium’s Luc Musette, demanding precision and control, and clear rounds were few and far between for much of the first half of the draw. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Atlanta, 11th to go, were the first to manage a clean round, swiftly followed by Philippe Rozier (FRA) and Rahotep de Toscane. A tough combination across the arena - a wide oxer going in followed by two short strides to a double of uprights - was particularly troublesome; as was the penultimate double of LGCT uprights tight out of a corner.

The sun beamed down on the lakeside arena for the third day in a row, as buzzing spectator stands enjoyed the final showdown between some of the best horses and riders in the world. As the class progressed, the competitors seemed to get the hang of the tricky test set for them and clear rounds began to accumulate - Janika Sprunger (SUI) with Uptown Boy, Alberto Michán (MEX) with Camilo La Silla, Martin Fuchs (SUI) with PSG Future, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) with Unita ASK and Denis Lynch (IRE) with Querida all progressed to the 14-horse jump-off.

The shorted course against the clock consisted of eight obstacles and was scattered with lone flimsy uprights. The first three riders all lowered fences attempting to set a strong time to beat. Cassio Rivetti (UKR) with Seacoast Forlap chose to ride a more cautious clear which was immediately bettered by Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) with Fair Light van T Heike; however, Simon Delestre (FRA) with Ryan des Hayettes then attacked at full tilt and wiped 5s off her time.

It looked like the Frenchman would never be caught, but amazingly Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) with Admara 2 did just that from the middle of the draw, but he was followed by Jur Vrieling who went even faster again with his big-striding mount. Sharbatly had the benefit of being late in the draw and his super-careful mare never looked like touching a pole, no matter how he dared her. Bertram Allen followed but he couldn’t cover the ground at the speed Sharbatly did.

Next stop for the Longines Global Champions Tour is Vienna this coming weekend and our host venue this season, Magna Racino. Vienna offers the top ten Championship contenders their last chance to grab vital points before heading to Doha in November. Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum took over the No1 spot from Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson in yesterday’s Grand Prix and now holds a narrow lead of just 15 points. Having had one of his best season’s to date, this could well be Beerbaum’s year to be crowned LGCT Champion if Scott Brash (GBR) doesn’t catch him.

Longines Global Champions Tour Lausanne Grand Prix Ludger Beerbaum (GER) v John Whitaker (GBR)

It was a battle between heavyweight legends of the sport in Lausanne as two of the biggest names in show jumping went head-to-head in the 12th round of the 2014 Championship, which saw Beerbaum rise to No1 on the ranking ahead of the next round in Vienna this coming weekend. What a masterclass!

Runner-up John Whitaker congratulates Ludger Beerbaum

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

"Argento has not got the scope and power of a lot of the other horses, but he tries and he is developing more. When I walked the course I thought, this is a bit big for me, but he jumped it really well" John Whitaker (GBR) on his Grand Prix Silver medal win yesterday

Beerbaum takes control of the Championship following a battle between Legends

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

It was a battle of the Legends with a capital 'L' in Lausanne this evening when Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum and Chaman took on Britain’s John Whitaker and Argento in front of a hugely excited and supportive Suisse crowd, with the four-time Olympic Gold medallist Beerbaum coming out on top by just 0.81s. Third place went to the relative newcommer on the Longines GCT Argentina’s José Maria Larocca with GDE Matrix, who finished one of just two other treble clears 0.84s ahead of 4th placed Gerco Schröder (NED) and Cognac Champblanc who jumped his socks off. With his win tonight, Beerbaum has stormed up the Championship ranking from 4th to 1st taking a narrow lead of 15 points.

The picturesque lake-side showground was packed for the Grand Prix showdown with spectators thrilled by the incredible sport. Hundreds of guests enjoyed the competition from ring-side seats alongside the arena. With the event taking place in Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee, it was fitting that the IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell joined hundreds of guests to watch the best show jumpers in the world in action. Film star Marion Cotillard added some Hollywood glamour to the event when she joined her husband Guillaume Canet, a regular competitor on the Longines Global Champions Tour, in the VIP.

HOT FAVOURITES OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND

The first round of Luc Musette's Grand Prix course was a twisting, turning gauntlet with a number of bogey fences. Ranking leader Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) with his relatively inexperienced Clarimo ASK lowered two fences in the first round and did not make the top 18 cut for the second round, opening up his Championship No1 spot to attack from those below him. Hot favourite, World No1 Scott Brash with Hello Annie, who has won an incredible three rounds this season with Hello Sanctos, retired halfway round after collecting eight faults early on.

After coming so close to adding another medal to his tally at last week’s World Championship, Ludger Beerbaum (GER) came back with a bang in Lausanne this evening making the testing first round course look simple where others had struggled. Former two-time Longines GCT Champ Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Old Chap Tame also produced a careful clear round to put pressure on the riders ranked above and below her on the Championship table. Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed, back with his Monaco Grand Prix-winning star mare Victoria, also finished on a zero score.

A SURPRISING SECOND ROUND

The second round was full of tall airy uprights and wide square oxers which took a lot of jumping. First to go was Jane Richard Philips (SUI) carrying four faults from the first round, who jumped a stylish clear and made the task look achievable. But it wasn’t until nine riders later when Gerco Schröder with Cognac Champblanc entered the arena that another clear made it onto the score sheet. Beerbaum followed immediately after with another double clear. But it was a double clear from Britain’s John Whitaker with Argento that really raised the roof.

Tops-Alexander dropped out of the running in the second round with an uncharacteristic 14 faults as did Mohammed with 12 faults. But it was a pair of less familiar faces on the Tour, José Maria Larocca and Pilar Lucrecia Cordon (ESP) with Nuage Bleu, second-to-last and last to go, who really rose to the occasion by going on to jump a double clear to join this world-class trio in one of the most highly anticipated jump-offs of the season.

AN EMOTIONAL JUMP-OFF

The jump-off course itself offered some daring turn-back options and Gerco Schroder was the pathfinder with his big-jumping grey, riding a careful but neat round and setting a time of 40s dead. Beerbaum was next to go and rode what he described as a ‘close to perfect round’ to stop the clock at 37.50s. The crowd cheered and a rare smile crept across the German’s face as he left the arena patting his horse. Cameras followed Ludger into the warm-up arena where he watched Whitaker’s round anxiously.

John Whitaker entered to a warm and welcoming applause, and managed to make up time with his stallion’s quick movement across the ground as he tried to claw back some of the seconds saved by Ludger’s smooth, big striding Chaman. Argento raced through the finish in 38.31s jumping confidently around a course john described as 'a bit big for me'. The relief on Ludger’s face was clear as he watch a long-time rival settle for 2nd place.

Larocca was last to go and with pole position he knew what he had to do, but the experienced legends were deceptively quick and he could only finished in 39.16s. It was an emotional Grand Prix for many this evening, seeing Ludger Beerbaum and John Whitaker go up against each other once again, and for John to take the first LGCT podium finish of his long and illustrious career was a special moment for many who watched it.

Next stop is Vienna next weekend where eight of the Top Ten riders in the world will be fighting for supremacy at this year's venue Magna Racino, including Marcus Ehning (GER), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Kevin Staut (FRA), Pénélope Leprevost (FRA) and Ben Maher (GBR). Can Beerbaum hold onto his narrow lead faced with this onslaught on world-class talent? If anyone can, it’s him.

Post-Grand Prix Press Conference

Present:

Jan Tops - President Longines Global Champions Tour

Walter von Känel - President Longines

Marc Vuilleumier - Municipal Des Sport Ville de Lausanne

Ludger Beerbaum (GER) - Grand Prix Gold medallist & LGCT Ranking Leader

John Whitaker (GBR) - Grand Prix Silver medallist

José Maria Larocca - Grand Prix Bronze medallist

Ludger Beerbaum: “It’s always nice to win, even at different levels, especially in Lausanne the Olympic Capital. It’s really special. I only come from a small village in Germany so it’s a pleasure to be here in such a prestigious town and to win in front of a lot of world class combinations. Simply, my performance today is really pleasing, my horse jumped fantastic today - I was close to perfect.”

John Whitaker: “I am very pleased to be second. I would have liked to have won, but Ludger was too fast. My horse is fast, but I took too many strides - my horse jumped fantastic. I am so pleased to be here. Argento has not got the scope and power of a lot of the other horses, but he tries and he is developing more. When I walked the course I thought, ‘this is a bit big for me’ but he jumped it really well.”

José Maria Larocca: “I am very proud to be here. My horse jumped really well in the jump-off. I watched Ludger go and I knew what I had to do, but I was not good enough. I am very happy. The horse has been improving throughout the year and he was very fresh today, the confidence between us is there and I hope I can be back here as soon as possible.”

Walter von Känel: “Lets start by thanking the city of Lausanne, Jan and his team, the riders, horses, volunteers and press. We are lucky that Ludger won and he will soon be able to open a watch shop! Congratulations to John and José also. It is great to be here, equestrian is getting more and more massive with Longines.”

Marc Vuilleumier: “It is really important for the city of Lausanne to present this important show, its very prestigious and we are proud to welcome you to the city.”

Jan Tops: “Ludger has been fantastic this weekend, as he was in London and Valkenswaard. The last three events he has come up strongly. It is nice to see John on the podium also, I have known him for many years and seeing him at the top of the sport beating everyone again is great. I think the Championship is getting very close, with the final only two events away. Scott (Brash) is still in a great position with only five scores counting, so it’s going to be very close between Scott, Rolf (Göran Bengtsson) and Ludger. Some years ago I competed against these guys, they are very talented and good friends, and most importantly I think they are great ambassadors for the sport. Ludger and John have been at the top for 30 years and its great to see them on the podium.”

Flying Dutchman Harrie Smolders & Regina Z win again!

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

The flying Dutchman Harrie Smolders has claimed yet another victory today with his feisty mare Regina Z, his third LGCT CSI5* win in the last six weeks. As the sun set on the lake-side Lausanne arena, Smolders set sail with his mount, winning the CSI5* Prix Beau Rivage Palace in a lightening time of 52.68s from Simon Delestre (FRA) in 2nd with Whisper (53.07s) and Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) in 3rd with Caesario 7 (53.28s).