The pace was electric at the climax of the $485,000 Grand Prix as eight riders won through to the jump off in the Chinese leg of the 2015 championship series.
Smolders beat off tough challenges from speed masters Pius Schwizer and Michael Whitaker to emerge victorious scooping $160,000 in prize money and 40 valuable ranking points as winner. Great Britain’s Scott Brash remains on top of the overall season ranking stretching his lead to 10 points ahead of Luciana Diniz.
The jump off also included last year’s Shanghai Grand Prix winner Pieter Devos, Olympic bronze medallist Kamal Bahamdan of Saudi Arabia,Taizo Sugitani of Japan and young Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain.
There was a lively social scene at the impressive show ground as VIP guests arrived in chic outfits and hats more reminiscent of Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot. Thousands of enthusiastic Chinese spectators whooped and gasped as they watched in awe of the world’s top international sport horses.
The first round by course designer Uliano Vezzani saw plenty of confident clear rounds, 13 in total, with John Whitaker and Luca Moneta both missing out with 1 time penalty. Only the three fastest on four faults were able to squeeze into the second round with Daniel Deusser, Ludger Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat and Kent Farrington among the casualties.
The second round in front of packed grandstands raised the stakes and riders including Ben Maher, Sheikh Ali Al Thani and Gregory Wathelet unable to capitalise on their clear round status. Luciana Diniz, back in action on Lennox, had an agonising moment at the second to last fence with a rail down putting her out of the jump off. Pius Schwizer and his mount Caretina de Joter proved an impressive combination with a double clear and young Jessica Mendoza on Spirit also pulled off a double clear.
There were excited cheers as Japanese rider Taizo Sugitani and his bay 16-year-old gelding Avenzio 3 delivered an impressive double clear for Asia – and a few bucks and kicks to the delight of the fans. Pieter Devos, riding Candy, made sure of a place in the jump off setting is sights on a Shanghai double.
Scott Brash remains on great form and pulled off a double clear on Hello M’Lady along with fellow Brit Michael Whitaker on the trusty Viking and Kamal Bahamdan on his Olympic star horse Noblesse des Tess.
The jump off saw bitter disappointment for Pieter Devos who clocked up four faults. But the other seven riders all delivered triple clears. It came down to a ferocious speed battle after Swiss rider Pius Schwizer set a lead time of 34.20. Harrie Smolders was always going to be a threat with the lightning quick Regina Z and he didn’t disappoint stopping the clock at 33.57. Michael Whitaker and Viking were last to go but could not beat Harrie’s time.
With Scott Brash still on top of the ranking, the Tour moves to Hamburg, Germany for the 5th leg of the championship race next weekend.
Press conference:
Juan-Carlos Capelli – Vice President, Head of International Marketing of Longines
We are very proud to be here in Shanghai for the Longines Global Champions Tour. China is an important market for us. It was the first edition of the show last year. For this second edition, we have here the best riders and the best horses of the world. We have one of the best horse shows of the world here in China and this is an important moment in the history of equestrian sports. Also I want to mention the fact that we have a fantastic rider with us in Shanghai, Scott Brash, who is the leader of the Longines FEI World ranking and of the Longines Global Champions Tour ranking.
Jan Tops – Founder and President, Longines Global Champions Tour
It was a very exciting competition. We thought several times that we had the winner of the competition and that the class was finished and then the following rider was even better. But of course Harrie Smolders had a very well deserved win! Also, I think Scott Brash is already on his way, he did a very good start of this Longines Global Champions Tour season with already two big wins. His best horse is coming next week in Hamburg, so there is probably some more spectacular sport to come.
Harrie Smolders – Grand Prix winner
It’s a very special moment for me. I have a fantastic partnership with my mare Regina as I have ridden her for 5 years already. It’s the first time we win a 5* Grand Prix and to win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix with her is really great.
Pius Schwizer – Grand Prix second place
I’m delighted with my second place tonight. I knew that some very quick riders were coming after me. I want to congratulate Harrie Smolders and Michael Whitaker for their great performances and of course the Longines Global Champions Tour with Jan Tops for this fabulous event.
Michael Whitaker – Grand Prix third place
Viking was very good today in the Grand Prix. I just misjudged the distance to the last fence but our round was very fast until then. M. Uliano did a very good job with the course.
Scott Brash – LGCT ranking leader
I’ve had a very good run but Daniel definitely deserved to be No1 when he was number 1 and I was just lucky to have a good show in Miami and that’s how I regained the No1 band. It would have been nice to get the record and unfortunately that wasn’t possible in the end but I’m just happy to be there again.
04 – CSI5* LGCT LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR – 2nd ROUND
GRAND PRIX OF SHANGHAI
Int. jumping competition over two rounds with jump-off 1.60 m
Competition counts for LONGINES RANKINGS
1. Regina Z – Harrie Smolders (NED) 0/33.57 i.St.
2. Caretina de Joter – Pius Schwizer (SUI) 0/34.20 sec i.St.
3. Viking – Michael Whitaker (GBR) 0/34.99 i.St.
4. Noblesse des Tess – Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan (KSA) 0/35.16 i.St.
5. Hello M’lady Scott Brash (GBR) 0/36.00 i.St.
6. Spirit T – Jessica Mendoza (GBR) 0/36.87 i.St.
7. Avenzio – Taizo Sugitani (JPN) 0/37.13 i.St.
8. Candy – Pieter Devos (BEL) 4/40.15 i.St.
9. Connery – Luca Maria Moneta (ITA) 1/79.93
10.Vienna Olympic – Shk. Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) 4/74.61
11.Lennox – Luciana Diniz (POR) 4/75.45
12.Egano van het Slogenhof – Gregory Wathelet (BEL) 4/75.54
13.Ornellaia – John Whitaker (GBR) 5/79.63
14.Taloubet Z – Christian Ahlmann (GER) 8/67.79
15.Savita – Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) 8/68.61
16.Uraguay – Ben Maher (GBR) 8/75.95
17.Citizenguard Cadjanine Z – Constant Van Paesschen (BEL) 12/71.05
18.H&M Legend of Love – Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) 16/93.95
03 – CSI5* Int. jumping competition against the clock 1.45 / 1.50 m
Competiton counts for LONGINES RANKINGS
1. Waomi – Kent Farrington (USA) 0/56.33
2. Domingo – Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) 0/57.93
3. Aragon Z – Christian Ahlmann (GER) 0/59.36
4. H&M Carlito C – Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) 0/59.67
5. Dundee vd Dwerse Hagen – Pius Schwizer (SUI) 0/60.10
6. Equipharma Dax van d’Abdijhoev – Pieter Devos (BEL) 0/60.35
7. Carriere – Daniel Deusser (GER) 0/61.73
8. Questina – Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) 0/61.78
9. Sterrehof’s Bylou – Marc Houtzager (NED) 0/62.07
10.Exquis Walnut de Muze – Harrie Smolders (NED) 0/63.48
11.Ruby de la Fosse – Alexis Borrin (FRA) 0/65.79
12.Valentin R – Michael Whitaker (GBR) 0/66.22
From 17 to 20 September the Longines Global Champions Tour is coming to Vienna again! Tickets for the VIENNA MASTERS are already available on the eventwebsite.
www.globalchampionstour.com
Source: Press release LGCT
