Only three combinations managed to finish the course designed by Uliano Vezzani without faults. Olivier Philippaerts was one of them but a spurmark on H&M Legend of Love kept them out of the jump-off. Only 27-year-old rider Ines Joly, was competing in Monaco in her second LGCT Grand Prix of her career and was up against the leader of the standings, Max Kühner, in the final. The Austrian won in Ramatuelle about a month and a half ago. 

Joly was the first to start with Ambassador Z. The Zangersheide gelding by Aganix du Seigneur is a breeding product of show jumping champion Jos Lansink. Before going into the jump-off, Joly said: "Everything comes so fast here in the arena. You have to be very careful and I tried to help him the best I could. I want to enjoy the jump-off the best I can, it's already amazing I will be riding it!"

"Ambassador has the biggest heart. It's actually Abdel Saïd who recommended him to me, saying he has the right power and a big heart and was just the horse for me. He has been the best partner for me ever since!"

The rider had a building jump-off and put pressure on the Austrian leader by clocking a clear round! The time to beat stood at 42.32s. 

Kühner bet on the Chacco-Blue son EIC Up Too Jacco Blue to possibly secure his third LGCT Grand Prix victory, his seventh podium finish already secured. The last oxer was all-decisive for this Monte Carlo final, as Kühner tapped a bar out of the scoop there. 

"Chacco felt amazing in both the first round as in the jump-off. He likes me to fight and work on him and I maybe did not do that enough throughout the end. Nevertheless, there are a lot of positive things about today. To be second is also a great result, Chacco jumped fantastic, I'm very happy."

Afterwards, Joly was out of words for her accomplishment: "I thought I already had my best result ever in Shanghai, were I had one down in the Global Tour. I'm so proud of my horse, this double clear is such a big achievement for us."

"I didn't expect it to be just us two in the jump-off, as some of the best riders and horses were yet to come at the end. I planned on just doing my thing, thinking there would be lots of other great combinations in the jump-off. With only Kühner as my opponent, I tried to go as fast as possible and don't take too much risk, just enough and we did!"

"I studied for four years to be a nurse in my hometown and I'm only riding again for three years. As soon as I graduated, I told my parents I wanted to ride again and if that plan would fail, I still had my degree. I went full gas and have had the most of luck ever since! I never imagined to be jumping on 5* level only three years after."

Full Results


F; ©: LGCT