Present:
Jan Tops - President Longines Global Champions Tour
Gérard Manzinali - President International Jumping Chantilly
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) - Grand Prix winner
Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) - Grand Prix Silver medallist
Eric Lamaze (CAN) - Grand Prix Bronze medallist
Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) - Championship Leader
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - “It’s nice to win here. It is a fantastic show, we have everything here - a great course designer, great public and good footing, everything is done well here and the horses love to jump on the footing. Everyone went for it, but today I was the lucky one who had my nose a little quicker over the line. I saw Henrik go and I had no doubt I had to go for it as much as possible, because he was fast, and we know Eric is a fast rider with a fast horse so I was nervous until the very end. It is really nice to see a horse rider combination (Lamaze and Fine Lady) do well here after such a short time together and we will surely see them at the top of many more big competitions.”
Henrik von Eckermann - “I saw Ludger go and he slipped in the turn to the second last oxer, so I was also maybe a little too cautious in the turn. But second is also good and I am happy Sweden is number one!”
Eric Lamaze - “I am thrilled with Fine Lady, this is a new horse for me to be competing at this level and it was very thrilling for me to be part of the jump-off. I still don't know her 100%, so I took the risk that I thought would be enough to win today. She is a small horse and it was a long gallop to the last so that hurt me a little bit. But to be standing here with these riders is an honour, the show has been fantastic and the public have been great.”
Edwina Tops-Alexander - “It was between Rolf and I a few years ago and I think it will be very tight again, there have been a lot of different winners and a lot of movement, which we love in the sport. Today was fantastic to see Athina (Onassis de Miranda) in 5th with two time faults. It’s getting more and more exciting and I hope I can hang in there!”
Jan Tops - “If you see how the horses jump, they love this footing and the way the courses are built. Our course builder Uliano Vezzani is fantastic every week and we see the best riders at the top every time. It is great to see the sport like this. It is getting very exciting, Rolf has put himself in a very good position, he is second and he has one less placing counting than Edwina, so it will be very close at the end. Kevin and Scott are also close. I think it will come down to the last leg like over the last few yeas in Doha.”
Gerard Manzinali - “To organise a show here is great. When the Longines Global Champions Tour comes to the show it is even easier to have a successful event. We had a super course designer who made the success easy. I had butterflies seeing the incredible competition and jump-off.”
