April 16, 2016 – Mexico City – Great Britain’s Scott Brash (GBR) rode a phenomenal win with Hello Forever in today’s feature class, the CSI5* 1.50m Massimo Dutti Trophy. “It was a very fast class I thought and you had to go for it from the first fence. But we hit everything right and he jumped fantastic,” Brash underlined the high calibre of sporting competition, saying: “The best horses and riders are at these sort of events so it’s great to get a win in any class.”
Friday’s CSI5* competition wrapped up with a fiercely competitive Trofeo Massimo Dutti in the stunning new Mexico City venue. A field of 44 riders took to the expansive grass arena, with a total of 14 jumping clear, representing 10 different nations and showcasing an exceptional international field. With each jump-off ride more exciting than the next, eleventh in proved best as Scott Brash (GBR) brilliantly piloted the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Hello Forever to a fantastic finish.
Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Italian Uliano Vezzani’s course asked plenty of questions in the initial round. First in the ring, Steve Guerdat (SUI) and the Oldenburg gelding Concetto Son answered each of them with aplomb. A dozen riders followed, discovering the various challenges on the track, including a monarch butterfly skinny jump with a light panel on top at fence 6, three combinations and the final test at the last line coming home. With the in-gate in sight, the option of four or five strides to the last vertical-vertical combination proved difficult.
Fourteenth in the ring Kevin Staut (FRA) and the Belgian mare Elky can het Indihof HDC joined Guerdat with a fault free round. Following their round, the list of competitors going clean began to rise, with a sizable group returning for the jump-off.
The galloping, fast paced jump-off course had the crowd on the edge of their seats as the riders returned to the spotlight. Guerdat and Concetto Son led the way beautifully clean in 37.57s. Second in Staut trumped that score, clear in 36.45s and raising the bar for those to follow.
The crowd in Mexico City was beyond supportive. With clucks and cheers of encouragement for every rider, they were especially exuberant for their fellow countrymen. When Antonio Chedraui (MEX) and his mare La Bamba galloped in fifth to ride, the stands were buzzing. Giving a gallant effort, Chedraui stopped the clock clean in 36.94s and the crowd went wild as he took over the second spot.
Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Antonio Chedraui (MEX) summed up the amazing atmosphere and the prestige for the country of Mexico to host a top level international sports event. “The feeling, the Mexican support, you can just feel it inside. I think it is a great success for Mexico to be able to show what we are and what we have as a country.”
Several rounds later Scott Brash and Hello Forever were nothing short of amazing as they executed a quick and tight jump-off ride with no faults in 35.53, just under a second faster than Staut. Although some came close no one could catch that effort.
The appreciative audience applauded the third-ranked rider in the world, two-time LGCT Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist Brash while the National Anthem of Great Britain played in honor of his victory. With a purse at 155,000 Euros, $175,000 dollars or 3 million pesos, the world class riding was well-rewarded.
Earlier in the day, forty-nine starters took their first gallop across the green grass in the Trofeo Heineken 1.45m (Heineken Trophy), competing in a power and speed format against the clock. Once clear in the first phase, riders continued on to the second phase, with David Will (GER) taking the tidiest and fastest second phase track for the win aboard the lovely 10 year old grey mare Monodie H.
Jerome Guery (BEL) and his 10 year old Belgian gelding Grand Cru van de Rozenberg set the pace early in the class, holding the lead at what seemed to be an unbeatable 28.75. Nineteen rides later, Laura Renwick effectively rode the young Irish mare WHS Washington just a notch faster for the lead in 28.45. Nor for long as two rounds later Swail stopped the clock in 28.24, presumably the win. With the class almost complete, forty-fifth in the ring, Will clocked in at 27.40, stealing the top spot from Irishman Swail by an impressive .75 seconds. Swail finished second and Renwick rounded out the top three.
Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
From the intimate beach setting of Miami to the expansive field here at Campo Marte, the LGCT continues to amaze competitors and spectators alike. With almost 200 tables set in the four tiered VIP, the audience is not only appreciative but involved. The cheering crowd is certain to add a buzz to this incredible LGCT event in the heart of Mexico City.
Saturday’s 5* action begins with the Trofeo GNP Securos 1,50m (GNP Insurance Trophy) at 12:15h CST followed at 15:00h CST by the LGCT Grand Prix Mexico 1.60m, with a purse of 400,000 Euros, $450,000 or 8 million pesos. If Friday’s performances are any indication, Saturday is certain to be stellar showcase of top class sport and entertainment.