The Global Champions Tour has arrived in possibly it's most glamorous location, the tiny Principality of Monaco. Sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, Monaco is one of the worlds smallest States and is almost entirely covered by the city of Monte Carlo.

For 2010, the organizers have devised a new competition in which professionals and amateurs team up to compete for the 'Pro-Am Cup.'  This class will run on Friday.

Lacroix Hits Top Spot

In Cannes it was the smallest horse, Itot de Chateau ridden by Edwina Alexander, who won the main prize but when the Global Champions Tour of Monaco began today it was the horse who prefers the smallest arenas who carried away the ribbons to start proceedings. 

Ireland's Denis Lynch has only been riding Lacroix a matter of weeks but the horse's preference for a tight space is well known after he had three times carried off the British Open title with former rider Robert Whitaker. His time of 50.14 snatched victory from another Irishman Billy Twomey who was riding another ex-Whitaker horse, Tackeray who he has only been riding a week. 

On an equal time with Billy was Edwina Alexander who was riding Watch Me de Reve Bovnhoeshof . Their time of 50.20 had removed the lead from the super consistent Pako ridden by Richard Spooner but Denis took a real flyer at the last which saved the vital fractions of a second. 

Richard though, can use his share of the money towards buying a new truck as his caught fire three days ago, and is a complete write off. “We turned on the generator and the air conditioning caught fire and within minutes the whole truck was blazing” explained Richard's wife Kaylen. “Luckily we were just preparing to come, no horses were on board, it could have been a lot worse.” The Spooners arrived in one of the worlds most wealthy countries in a borrowed Land-Rover and trailer!

Swiss Timing Proves Superior in Monaco

The second class, a bigger one at 1.50, provided ten clear first rounds over Frank Rothenberg's course. Christian Ahlmann set a good standard in the jump off, clear in 38.20 which left the others some room for improvement.   

However, the double, which was now the third fence caused problems for Nick Skelton and Jessica Kurten. Ludger Beerbaum went clear in 35.45 on his new ride Chaman and the remaining pairs knew they would need to really fly to beat him. 

Timothee Anciaume did just that finishing in 33.69 with Litsam but in the end last to go, Steve Guerdat on his Rio winner Tresor, was the one to take the honours with his time of 32.91. 

Mention must be made of Alvaro de Miranda, who was only at his third international with Ashleigh Drossel Dan, and through the gates in 33.23 which got him second spot. 

Steve's smoother turn into the last probably made the difference so the winners rosette and the Euro 8000 purse went to his long time owner and great supporter, Yves Piaget.