Mexico’s Santiago Lambre and his own Dingeman bested an original starting field of 30 international horses and athletes and outpaced a six-horse jump-off to take home the week’s top prize.
The course, designed by 2016 Rio Olympic course builder Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, challenged horses and riders over 13 obstacles in the first round. Those who successfully completed the course with no faults returned for the tie-breaking round over a shortened course.
Speed was definitely the key to winning on Sunday as five of the six horse-and-rider combinations jumped a second clear round in the jump-off. Germany’s Wilhelm Genn and Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti were the first pair to crank up the pace as they galloped across the timers in 38.87 seconds as third in the jump-off order. Lambre and the 9-year-old KWPN gelding followed and outran Genn by one second to take over the top spot in 37.82 seconds for first place. Genn and Bugatti would settle for second place once again on Sunday, after also finishing second in Friday’s $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2*.
Finishing in third place was Meagan Nusz (USA) and Waomi, owned by Amalaya Investments, in 39.14 seconds.
Week Four of GLEF kicks off on Wednesday and will feature international show jumping highlights such as the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* on Friday, July 28, and the $50,000 Flintfields Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by Amalaya Investments, on Sunday, July 30, at the Flintfields Horse Park.
Click here to watch Santiago Lambre’s interview!
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Santiago Lambre – $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by North Face Farm, winner
On Dingeman:
“I’ve had [Dingeman] since he was 4 years old. I bought him in Europe and I’ve been training him for five years now. He started to compete at the grand prix level this year and we’ve had a lot of good results so far. He jumped great. He’s a very careful horse and is doing better and better. I hope he can keep going like this.”
On his jump-off round:
“I saw [Wilhelm] go before me, and he’s a very fast rider, and I turned inside to number three and saved a lot of time. I was also really fast to the last two fences as well.”
On GLEF:
“This is my first time here. It’s an unbelievable facility. I’m very happy and the horses are happy. The grounds are fantastic. I hope to come back next year! I stay here three more weeks and then I go to New York next month.”
RESULTS
$50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by North Face Farm:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Dingeman / Santiago Lambre / MEX / Santiago Lambre / 0 / 0 / 37.82
2. Bugatti / Wilhelm Genn / GER / Eduardo Leon / 0 / 0 / 38.87
3. Waomi / Meagan Nusz / USA / Amalaya Investments / 0 / 0 / 39.14
4. Columbcille De Reve / Lauren Crooks / USA / Crooks Show Jumping LLC / 0 / 0 / 39.99
5. Dino / Capt. Brian Cournane / IRL / Robert Stiller / 0 / 0 / 44.88
6. Javas Keltic Mist / Capt. Brian Cournane / IRL / Glenbeigh Farm LLC / 0 / 4 / 38.73
7. Coachella / Erin Haas / USA / North Face Farm / 1 / 84.74
8. Van Gogh / Theo Genn / USA / Wilhelm Genn / 1 / 86.52
9. Casino N / Santiago Lambre / MEX / Santiago Lambre / 4 / 77.25
10. Willow / Alejandro Karolyi / VEN / Amalaya Investments / 4 / 77.74
11. Hindsight / Lisa Goldman / USA / Lisa Goldman / 4 / 78.57
12. Chance STE Hermelle / Michael Morrissey / USA / QBS Equestrian LLC / 4 / 79.24
