The day began with hot temperatures and packed grandstands, with many local and international visitors turning out to witness some of the best riders in the world battle it out under the iconic Eiffel Tower setting. The earlier feature CSI5* class saw Lauren Hough (USA) celebrate the 4th of July with extra zest, after her win with Royalty Des Isles in the 1.45 / 1.50m CSI5* Prix Renault Kadjar.
The 8th Grand Prix of the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour season saw six of the world’s Top 10 riders competing on the breathtaking stage of the Champs de Mars next to the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. With €320,000 in prize money and 40 valuable ranking points to the winner, the race for the championship certainly sent the mercury levels rocketing as the heatwave continues across Europe. The high stakes 1.60m competition was played out in front of enthusiastic crowds in the grandstand and in the park of the Champ de Mars where a giant TV screen broadcast the action to the public who picnicked under the stunning icon. High profile guests have included golf champion and former World No1 Lee Westwood who enjoyed a round of golf with show jumping World No1 Scott Brash yesterday and described the Longines Global Champions Tour event in Paris as “very special”.
Hollywood star Marion Cotillard and her husband Guillaume Canet watched the thrilling, high calibre Grand Prix with their young son. The glamorous couple chatted with Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco, who looked stunning in a chic black dress, as they admired the breathtaking views across the arena to the Eiffel Tower.
In the evening heat, guests sipped welcome chilled champagne and enjoyed fine dining courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. The extraordinary show jumping event at the iconic Eiffel Tower site was a celebration of culture, art, cuisine and high style. Beautiful equestrian photos were displayed in the Longines Global Champions Tour - Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping VIP lounges lining the arena as guests witnessed the highest level of show jumping sport.
With riders from around the world competing in the prestigious Grand Prix, the stage was set for the important halfway stage leg of the Tour. The first round course was a formidable challenge with big tests for both horses and riders from the fourth fence onwards. The square arena meant course designer Uliano Vezzani had plenty of turns and not so many lines in his design, and fences four and five were early challenges, including a wide oxer at 1.55m. There were four strides to the double combination with a significant vertical showcasing a model of the Eiffel Tower, which was then followed by a big oxer.
17 clear rounds, and one 1 time fault penalty rider went through to the second round, with four French riders in the mix, much to the delight of the crowds who lined the arena walls. Once more the very best in the sport battled it out for a place in the jump-off with the atmosphere intensifying in anticipation for the electrifying final round.
Darragh Kenny was the first to do the double, riding his 12 year old chestnut gelding Sans Soucis Z clear in 39.36s. Three was the magic number, as third to go Bertram took centre stage for the final round. With phenomenal pace and agility he completed the course in 37.32s, taking a wider angle towards the vertical on the penultimate line, allowing him to keep his impressive pace and bring home the win. Luciana and Fit For Fun 13 put in yet another impressive, careful and passionate round, and came home just five tenths of a second off the leader.
Bertram makes history as the youngest Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winner, also his first podium of the Tour. The next leg of the championship season will turn to Estoril, Portugal, where Luciana Diniz will look to further her lead at her home Grand Prix.
