Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z win in Monaco
© LGCT / Stefano Grasso
Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) sent pulses racing with a formidable F1-style victory on Beauville Z in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco presented by Tennor on the 10th leg of the International circuit.
Barely a second separated the top four riders in a breathtakingly fast 10-way jump-off where Bassem Mohammed (QAT) and Gunder stepped up on the podium as the runner-up, while the lightning-quick combination of Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Usual Suspect d’Auge could only manage a third place finish.
A thrilled van der Vleuten said: “It’s incredible – this horse really fights for me. I spoke with my dad earlier this week as to whether it was too early to bring him [Beauville Z] here as first horse but it happens sometimes.
“When I saw Julien on the screen, I could bet on it that he should win; he went full out everywhere. I was just a bit faster and I gave it everything today. I had some nice forward distances and the horse really worked for me.”
The Dutchman, who becomes the 10th rider to qualify for the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November, explained: “A few times I’ve come very close to qualifying, but that was really my goal to be one of the riders to take part in the Super Grand Prix this year, so now it’s done it feels good.”
Bassem Hassan Mohammed made history in Monaco in 2014 by taking the country’s first ever LGCT Grand Prix win with his horse Victoria. This year he had to settle for second, but was delighted nonetheless and Qatari rider explained: “Gunder is always very good in the jump-off and today he jumped really amazing. With all these top riders it is never over until the end.”
Spectators squeezed into every available space round the outside of the arena and filled every seat as the champagne-soaked trio paraded on their lap of honour, appreciative of the world class sport they had witnessed on a sizzling evening in the magical Port Hercule in Monaco.
Lars Windhorst, Founder and CEO of Tennor, presenting sponsor of the LGCT Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, was among those who took to the red carpet for the prize-giving ceremony, where he was joined by LGCT Founder and President Jan Tops, M. Charles Villoz (Vice President Longines), M.Frederic Bondoux (Director of Longines France) and His Excellence Monsieur Jacques Boisson.
There is no change at the top of the leader board in the Championship race, with Pieter Devos (BEL) still leading the way but Ben Maher (GBR) jumps ahead of Daniel Deusser (GER) and this win in Monaco pushes Maikel van der Vleuten up to fourth position with 9 events left to go.
Stunning images of the arena, which is nestled beneath the Prince’s Palace and has spectacular views across the deep water harbour where some of the world’s largest super yachts are moored, were beamed around the world as the action got underway for the 10th event of the 2019 LGCT series.
Course-designer Frank Rothenberger had hot-footed it from Cascais, Estoril, last week where he had built one of the most substantial tracks of the 2019 season on the big grass arena and there was no let-up for another world class field in the tight confines of the pristine arena nestled under the Formula 1 pit lane in the Principality of Monaco. Speaking at the press conference this evening, Frank said: “The LGCTs are by far the shows with the highest levels in the world. Big arenas, small arenas, always top riders and top sport. The levels are really high. It was unbelievably fast.”
It was standing room only for an evening of scintillating sport where 15 jumping efforts in round one took riders in to every corner and the length and breadth of the ring. Among guests watching from the hospitality were Georgina Bloomberg and friends, Lars Windhorst with partner Christin Bahla, and football star Olivier Giroud as a fashionable crowd enjoyed an evening of thrilling sporting entertainment.
Rothenberger tested competitors in particular with an unusual route of Longines vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination leading straight round the bend to a double combination and the course finished with a delicate stand-alone vertical, which caused plenty of heartache along the way.
Tourists and show jumping fans lined the perimeter of the arena as the evening’s action got underway.??Round 1?An elite field of 35 lined up as dusk descended over the Port Hercule and the in-form Ben Maher (GBR) commenced proceedings with F One USA. This stallion was making his Grand Prix debut and showed some inexperience to finish with 8 jumping faults, just over the time allowed.
The world number three and a dual LGCT Grand Prix winner on the Tour this season, including in Cascais, Estoril the week before, Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Clooney 51 were clear all the way until clipping the final fence.
Third rider to go, Paul Estermann (SUI), left all the fences intact and crossed the line just outside the time allowed on Lord Pepsi but when the maximum time was adjusted, he was hailed as the first rider to be allocated a place in tonight’s jump-off.
Among the big names we bid farewell to as faulters in round one were Marcus Ehning (GER) with Cristy, Laura Kraut (USA) on Curious George and Ludger Beerbaum (GER) on Chacon.
But it wasn’t long before Julien Epaillard (FRA) – who has already booked his place in the LGCT Super Grand Prix – rode a red hot round on Usual Suspect D’Auge. He was soon joined by Olivier Robert (FAR) quickly adding to the French jubilations with a third clear on Vangog du Mas Garnier.
Despite helping Scandinavian Vikings to their first success in the GCL earlier in the evening, neither Geir Gulliksen (NOR) on Gin Chin van het Lindenhof nor Evelina Tovek (SWE) with Dalila de la Pomme could replicate their clears in the LGCT Grand Prix.
The Belgians have been jumping on full throttle all season and Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and IQ van het Steentje had his eyes set on a slot in the LGCT Super Grand Prix when jumping the fourth clear of the night.
In only her second LGCT appearance, a beaming smile came from the next faultless performance from Lucia Le Jeune Vizzini (ITA) on Loro Piana Filou de Muze, before number six swiftly followed from Christian Kukuk (GER) on Limonchello NT to ensure the jump-off was looking hotter and hotter.
Looking right at home under the floodlights, last year’s winner Shane Breen (IRL) on Ipswich van de Wolfsakker cruised round without a jumping fault but suffered the frustration of picking up a time-fault, leaving him without a place in this year’s jump-off.
However better fortunes fell on another previous winner in Monaco, Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT), who delivered a powerful seventh clear with Gunder and before long the jump-off was up to eight with the Dutch entering the barrage courtesy of Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) riding Beauville Z.
With thee in-form riders left to go before the conclusion of round one, anticipation sizzled as to which would complete the set. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Toveks Mary Lou motored round clear, 19-year-old Harry Charles (GBR) and Borsato missed out with a score of 9, before concluding rider Kevin Staut (FRA) on For Joy Van’t Zorgvliet HDC made it the perfect 10 through to the jump-off, seizing pole position as the fastest of those going with a place in the final decider.
Jump Off?10 of the world’s greatest horse and rider combinations had earned their place in tonight’s jump-off and, under the dazzling spotlights, the temperatures were set to rise once again as riders shifted into top gear and tension went sky high.
First out of the blocks with his eye on a golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix was Paul Estermann and Lord Pepsi and they opened up in dazzling style. Hand-brake turns kept their route ultra-tight, but the vertical three from home fell and they finished with four faults in what looked a quick time of 35.43.
Hot on their heels, Julien Epaillard and Usual Suspect D’Auge proved as agile as they came to negotiate every turn at top speed. They took out a stride, making it in eight, down to the penultimate fence and continued to rocket round clear and over the finish line in 33.52. That performance was going to take some beating.
Fellow Frenchman Olivier Robert on Vangog du Mas Garnier faced disappointment when the tricky third fence fell but remained quick, powering home in a time of 34.80 but with 4 to add.
Wilm Vermeir and IQ van het Steentje stayed smooth but marginally wider on the bends, also adding 4 in a time of 36.91.
Riding for the clear, Lucia Le Jeune Vizzini on Loro Piana Filou de Muze stopped the clock in a significantly slower time of 38.05 but benefitted hugely from a zero score, slotting into second at the halfway stage.
Christian Kukuk also played it safe with Limonchello NT, finishing some four seconds slower than the leader in 37.10 but this was enough to push him up the leader board and into the runner up spot.
Pulses were sent racing once again as Bassem Mohammed and Gunder pivoted round the opening few roll-backs. The Qatari rider pushed every button and, accelerating round the latter fences, the brilliant pair scorched home and into the lead, clear in 33.12, to appreciative cheers.
Monaco never fails to deliver with a F1-style finish however and immediately, Maikel van der Vleuten increased the pace further still with the magnificent nine-year-old Beauvuille Z and the pair clearly had the magic touch tonight. A breathtaking shot to the last rocketed them into the lead with a clear in 33.06 with the adrenalin still pumping as two of the circuit’s fastest riders entered the ring.
Henrik von Eckermann pitched forward in the saddle on the great mare Toveks Mary Lou, clearly set for real sprint, but amazingly they just couldn’t match the pace set by van der Vleuten and they slipped into fourth place with their time of 34.14.
And then there was one.
Kevin Staut had a real look of determination and all the credentials to take the win on For Joy van’t Zorgvliet HDC, but when the catchy third fence fell again and a second fence fell, his time of 34.02 was largely irrelevant as the night belonged to Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten.
The Championship race moves north to Paris next week (5th to 7th July) for leg 11 of the 2019 Tour in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Press Conference
Jan Tops, President of LGCT, said: “I keep saying it can’t get better but we keep repeating the amazing jump offs. It is absolutely top sport all the time. When I saw Julien I thought the class was over, every week is amazing sport. That is the beauty of the circuit, the rider how wins is for me really the world champion in our sport.”
Monaco has been on the LGCT calendar since the circuit was founded in 2006 and the breathtaking setting has seen some of the most electrifying jump offs. Julien Epaillard spoke of his “fantastic weekend” after winning one of the 5* competitors, coming second in the GCL team showdown and third in the LGCT Grand Prix.
Second place rider Bassem Mohammed said: “Gunder did a good job today and I’m really happy for our finish here, he jumped amazing. Our sport today is really the best of the best.”
Winner Maikel van der Vleuten said: “My horse is only a 9 year old, when I jumped in Madrid a few weeks ago that was his first Grand Prix. I spoke with my dad before we came to see if it was too early to bring him to Monaco as my first horse. My father was here to look at all the other riders jump and when he came to me he said it will be difficult to win, and everyone was knocking jumps down so maybe it would be safer to try and keep the clear round.
“I was motivated to win today. My horse likes to jump to the left so maybe after number two he was already leaning left so I could make it up [on time], he is also always forward out of the turn. Last year I couldn’t make the [LGCT] Super Grand Prix so this year I am very happy and I am going to give it a very good try.’
Vikings Cruise to First Ever GCL Victory in Monaco
Vikings Cruise to First Ever GCL Victory in Monaco
Scandinavian Vikings secured their first ever GCL win after Evelina Tovek and Geir Gulliksen kept cool heads under enormous pressure as the last riders to go in a high-octane competition in Monaco.
There has been a dramatic shake up in the overall rankings, with just four points separating the top three contenders as the Shanghai Swans – now with 184 points – regain the lead from the London Knights who tumble to third with 180 points overall. Madrid in Motion’s consistent result means they have leapfrogged the Knights, and are now sitting in second with 181 points.
In a tightening at the top, just three points separate the following teams, with the Monaco Aces and St Tropez Pirates on 175 points apiece, and Miami Celtics breathing down their necks with a tally of 172.
A beaming Geir said: “When [Evelina] jumped clear it made it easer for me – both horses jumped amazing today, we deserved this. I played it safe to the final fence [picking up a time fault], as I know it’s not over until the fat lady sings!”
When asked about how it felt to take their first win of the season, an emotional Evelina said: “It’s an amazing feeling.”
In the tenth round of action in the Championship race, the teams and riders headed to the smallest arena on the circuit, set in the shadow of the Monaco Palace. Nestled between superyachts and the Formula 1 pitlane, the teams contested a technical challenge as the sun began its slow descent over the mountain, while a cool breeze blew in from the sparkling Mediterranean sea.
Frank Rothenberger set a short but fast course, with the first fence – a delicate La Casino vertical testing the world’s best horse and rider combinations from the first stride. The course featured a new fence – not yet seen this weekend – an imposing “wall” in the shape of the Monaco Palace, which gave the horses plenty to look at. A Massimo Dutti oxer, a light Tennor plank set towards the in-gate and two doubles required maximum precision. The curving, flowing course featured a wide red and white Monaco oxer down the final line, with a liverpool underlined Longines oxer to finish. ??Here’s how the action unfolded…
Cannes Stars?
Both riders on the Cannes Stars opted to change their horses, with Jane Richard Philips bringing forward her more experienced 13 year old Dieudonne de Guldenboom. With the team’s R1 score of 19 faults weighing heavily on their minds, Jane and Dieudonne de Guldenboom set off at a calm, steady pace, the Longines Ambassador of Elegance working hard to keep her enthusiastic horse under control. But there was drama at the Longines double after her horse jumped her out of the saddle, and she slipped sideways, falling from her horse and meaning the team would be eliminated. ??
Miami Celtics
The Celtics pulled star striker William Whitaker off the bench, with the British rider bringing out RMF Cadeau de Muze. William kept a smooth and flowing pace, steadying the bay gelding between the fast-approaching fences. They finished clear, passing the reins to last year’s LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco winning combination, Shane Breen and Ipswich van de Wolfsakker. Despite a little hesitation at the Massimo Dutti oxer, the solid pair delivered, with the team finishing on double clear and with an anxious wait to see how far up the results they could go with a final score of 16 overall.
??London Knights
With their scarlet GCL ranking lead armbands, the London Knights looked determined to pull out a double clear today. First to go was team manager and anchor Ben Maher with the 9 year old F One USA, the impression stallion full of scope and enthusiasm. The horse became a little strong to the Tennor plank, and it came down, four faults added to their overnight score of 16. Teammate Martin Fuchs made a horse change, bringing out top grey gelding Clooney 51.
Watched on by multiple Olympian Markus Fuchs, Martin and Clooney 51 looked determined as they took in the course before setting off at a canter. But there was heartache as the first fence, the La Casino vertical, fell – the team would tumble to 24 faults in a weekend to forget for the Knights.??
Berlin Eagles
Watched on by Mary-Kate Olsen of The Row, the Eagles knew only a clear would help their chances today. With no changes to their horse or rider line up, Christian Kukuk was first to take on the challenge, riding his eye-catching stallion Limonchello NT. They strategised, aiming for a steady clear, and the pair delivered their end of the deal – with teammate Ludger Beerbaum and Casello next to go. The German maestro piloted his 16 year old chestnut gelding, the experienced pair keeping a smooth rhythm throughout the course. They too delivered a clear, the team finishing on a total of 15 overall, also with an anxious wait to see if they could rise up the results list. ??
Shanghai Swans
Another team to make no horse or rider change, the Swans only changed up the order of their riders. First to go was the slower Kim Emmen with Teavanta II C Z, meaning Pius Schwizer would know exactly what he would have to do time wise as they looked to take back the Championship lead. The pair finished clear, and just within the time allowed, as Pius entered the arena with Cortney Cox.
The naturally fast duo set off at a pace, taking out a stride to the Tennor plank. They pulled off a foot-perfect clear, the team hoping to regain the Championship lead this evening. ??Valkenswaard United?Marcus Ehning was first to compete for Valkenswaard United, bringing forward his 9 year old chestnut mare Mill Creek Filippa K. With a R1 score of 10 faults, Marcus opted for the longer lines with his less experienced horse, giving her as much time as possible in the fast-paced arena. But the penultimate fence fell, the Monaco oxer just foiling their clear after the mare clipped the front rail with her legs. Teammate Frank Schuttert once again chose to ride top stallion Queensland E, but the GC Prague Playoffs plank fell after they clipped it with a hind leg. The team would drop to a score of 18 overall. ??
Doha Falcons
Jur Vrieling and KM Chalcedon would be the first to take to the track for the Doha Falcons, but there was a nail-biting moment after Jur asked his 9 year old grey horse to go inside the Tennor plank, the horse stuttering almost to a stop but not crossing his tracks before they quickly recomposed themselves to take the outside longer route. They would finish clear, with Bassem Mohammed and Gunder next to take on the challenge. Following a fall yesterday, Bassem was hampered with a knee injury but didn’t show any signs of reduced performance as they finished clear, keeping the team on a score of 9 overall. The Falcons would have a real chance of rising to the sharp end of the grid after their stellar performance.
Prague Lions
The Lions selected to bring Wilm Vermeir off the bench for this round of action, Wilm bringing with him top horse Iq van het Steentje. The Belgian rider kept every turn smooth, finishing just inside the time allowed, but crucially clear for the team. Marco Kutscher brought back Chades of Blue, the 11 year old bay horse looking on strong form. The tried to keep the tempo up, taking out a stride to the Tennor plank – they finished clear, but the team were slower than their closest rivals the Falcons. ??Madrid in Motion ?Father and son duo Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten opted to make no changes for the Madrid in Motion team. First up was Eric with Djoost Again, the 11 year old bay horse naturally quick around the arena. They stumbled after the AirFrance oxer, but regained composure quickly to pull out a spectacular clear. Teammate and son Maikel had the pressure on his shoulders to deliver a fast clear to put the team ahead of the Falcons, the Dutch rider carefully selecting his lines with Beauville Z to try make up time. They too finished clear, but couldn’t match the Falcons’ combined time, slipping behind with 9 faults overall. ??
Paris Panthers
The Panthers made no changes to their horse or rider line up, with Yuri Mansur first to go with Carlson. But the first part of the GCL double came down, the team plummeting to 12 faults and three teams down from their starting position. Next to go Nayel Nassar knew he had to deliver a fast clear with his experienced horse Lordan – the 15 year old bay gelding keen to the challenges. Fast between fences, Nayel took smooth curving lines around the corners, keeping the team on their score of 12 overall.
New York Empire
After a rollercoaster season so far, the New York Empire team badly wanted a strong finish here today in Monaco. First to go was Denis Lynch and GC Chopin’s Bushi, but the GC Prague Playoffs plank fell, the team score falling to 12 so far. Watched on by team owner and teammate Georgina Bloomberg, Hans-Dieter Dreher and Prinz were next to take up the mantle, but there was further heartache after the first fence, the La Casino vertical fell. The final fence also tumbled, the Longines oxer falling along with the team’s hopes of redemption. New York Empire would finish Monaco with a score of 20 overall. ??
St Tropez Pirates
The St Tropez Pirates made a strategic rider change, with star striker Edwina Tops-Alexander and top mare California brought in for the team. But the GC Prague Playoffs plank fell again, the team dropping down to a score of 12 overall. Teammate Lucia Le Jeune Vizzini and her big scopey stallion Loro Piana Filou de Muze took on the challenge, knowing the best they could do would be to deliver a fast clear. They finished with a faultless score, but their time was not as quick as the Panthers, and they finished today with 12 faults and behind their rivals.
??Chantilly Pegasus
U25 rider Constant van Paesschen impressed during R1 with his 10 year old chestnut stallion delivering a clear for the team. Constant worked hard to keep the stallion’s shape and power, balancing him to the fences to give themselves the best chance possible of bringing home another clear. And they delivered, keeping the team score of 6. Next to go teammate Rene Lopez had all the pressure on his shoulders to pull off a clear, knowing it would keep them at least on the podium. With 12 year old bay mare Histoire D O, the pair opted for a slower round – clearly aiming for the much needed clear. The second part of the GCL double came down, as did the GC vertical, the team dropping to a score of 14 overall and off the podium.
?Monaco Aces
Home city team Monaco Aces had a extra boost from the crowd as they headed into the second round today. The team made a strategic switch, bringing in on-form Julien Epaillard in place of Marlon Zanotelli for this high-octane competition. Laura Kraut was first to go on the 10 year old Curious George, with a steady clear on their mind. They finished just milliseconds inside the time allowed, four tenths to be exact, producing the clear and keeping the team on their score of four faults. Julien Epaillard brought out speed horse Usual Suspect D’Auge, but also opted for the longer lines – looking for a team double clear to keep them on the podium, and vying for the win. But the first part of the GCL double fell after Usual Suspect dropped a hind leg, the team on 8 faults overall. ??
Scandinavian Vikings
Final team to go the Scandinavian Vikings had all the pressure on their shoulders, the only team to go into today’s second round clear. Evelina Tovek made a horse change to Dalila de la Pomme, but the pair had a heart-stopping moment at the first – a lucky rub keeping them in with a chance of the win. Team owner Geir Gulliksen had a two fence cushion with VDL Groep Quatro, but looked hungry for the clear, the Norwegian rider focused and determined as they rode to the first fence. Geir too opted for the longer routes, giving the small horse plenty of time to lock on to the fences and clear them effortlessly. And they did it, finishing with just one time fault to take their first win in the history of the team.
The Championship now looks to Paris, France, for the 11th round of action on the circuit. The first round kicks off this coming Thursday under the Eiffel Tower, with all eyes on the teams as they gallop towards the second half of the season.
Source: Longines Global Champions Tour
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