Martin Fuchs and Chaplin. PC: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
The 2017 Longines Global Champions Tour season kicked off with a phenomenal victory in Mexico City for the young Swiss star, Martin Fuchs, and his formidable stallion Chaplin – for whom this was his first CSI5* outdoor Grand Prix. The curtain went up on the hotly-anticipated championship series and the action was electrifying with fans on the edge of their seats as world class sport played out.
A delighted Martin hailed his Grand Prix victory as “amazing” and said: “My horse Chaplin gave his heart for me and I’m very happy.”
The 25-year-old rider demonstrated nerves of steel as he powered to a stunning win – his first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix triumph – in Mexico City giving him a great advantage at the top of the new ranking for 2017. It was a successful weekend for the young star, with the rider collecting over €175,000 through the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League competitions.
Thousands of passionate fans lined the vast grass arena cheering wildly as the world’s top riders went into battle in Mexico City. The event receives strong support from the Mexico Government and is an important demonstration of the City’s ability to stage high level sports events. The show was even more popular in its second year attracting a big crowd, thrilled to watch top-level equestrian sport. Mexican dancers added a colourful national flourish to the vibrant event with great entertainment and corporate hospitality.
The 125m x 75m arena was a grand stage for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Mexico City and the high energy shorter format was popular with fans. Niels Bruynseels (BEL) came close to the biggest win of his career as he finished second just half a second behind Martin with Gancia de Muze.
Niels Bruynseels on Gancia de Muze. PC: Stefano Grasso
Fourth to go in the jump-off the talented Belgian rider, who had been knocking on the door of victory all week, meant business from the off, taking an astounding two seconds off the previous quickest time which had been posted by four faulter Bertram Allen (IRL) and Hector van D’Abdijhoeve, eventual fifth.
Maikel van der Vleuten on VDL Groep Arera C. PC: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and VDL Groep Arera C claimed third, just ahead of Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), who opted for a slow and steady clear with Armitages Boy. Six of the 25 starters progressed to the jump-off in what was a nail-biting climax to an exhilarating afternoon of show jumping.
Lorenzo de Luca. PC: Stefano Grasso
Fuchs revealed he had talked tactics with his GCL Chantilly Pegasus team mate Nicola Phillippaerts before the jump off and his friend Max Kuhner.
“Niels is one of the fastest in the world with Gancia,” Fuchs said. “But my horse is also super fast and I took all the risks.”
In the jump off Fuchs was quick to the double combination and slightly ahead of Niels at the penultimate fence before he flew to the last obstacle to secure a superb win in 37.07s.
Last year’s winner Roger Yves Bost (FRA) saw his chance of retaining his title dashed when Sydney Une Prince knocked down the first fence. When the first part of the double fell shortly after the Frenchman decided to retire. Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Fine Lady 5 were another combination who failed to make it around Uliano Vezzani’s course, early penalties also putting pay to their chances so Eric decided to call it a day.
Young American Paris Sellon missed out on the jump off after getting one time fault, a painful fate that also afflicted Marco Kutscher. There were groans of disappointment from the patriotic crowd as Mexican rider Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) and Chacna clocked up faults.
The drama continued when one of the in-form combinations Simon Delestre (FRA) and Hermes Ryan – who returned to his first CSI5* Grand Prix following injury at the Rio Olympics – notched up two refusals and were eliminated.
The passionate Mexican crowd were bathed in glorious sunshine as they enjoyed a thrilling afternoon of top class show jumping action which saw faults spread around the course and no one area causing trouble.
Martin Fuchs and Chaplin. PC: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Full credit must go to Martin Fuchs (SUI) who rode with a maturity beyond his years to finish on top of the podium in this highly competitive class. The LGCT now looks to Miami Beach, one of the most breath-taking destinations in the world, as the world’s best descend on the stunning American shoreline for round two of the Championship.
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