Robin de Ponthual Captures First Grand Prix Victory
Princeton, NJ – July 13, 2015 – After knocking on the door with several good placings at top shows around the country, Robin de Ponthual captured his first career grand prix victory on Sunday, July 12, in the $35,000 Grand Prix of Princeton. Peter Lutz piloted the 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Elf d’Or x IO de la Grange) to a double clear effort for E2 Showjumpers at the Princeton Show Jumping event, following a second place finish in Thursday’s $10,000 1.40m Welcome Stake.
„Robin is my number one horse right now,“ expressed Lutz. „We’ve had him since last fall, and he is very scopey and talented. I am very excited about him. He’s been second and he’s had some top ribbons, but this was his first grand prix win.“
One of the second place results came just a few weeks ago at HITS Saugerties in the $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix, but Lutz and Robin de Ponthual also picked up the second place award in Princeton on Thursday in the $10,000 1.40m Welcome Stake. With two solid performances under his belt, Lutz was ready to push Robin de Ponthual a little harder in the $35,000 Grand Prix of Princeton to take home the win. Click here to watch the video.
„I rode the jump-off with a forward stride and took advantage of Robin’s long stride to leave strides out in a few key lines,“ explained Lutz. „The first line and the last line – I think that’s how I had the fastest time.“
E2 Showjumpers partner and trainer Michael Meller commented, „Robin and Peter continue to improve each week, and Robin has gained so much experience this summer at Old Salem and HITS. Robin has really started to prove what an amazing talent he is, and we are all excited to see what the rest of the summer holds. The Gallaghers and everyone at E2 Showjumpers could not be more excited to see Robin take home his first grand prix win.“
The next stop for the horses of E2 Showjumpers will be HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, as well as qualifiers for prestigious European events where Stacy Babes and Dan Walsh will compete with their European-based mounts.
Source: Press release
