Tension rises as the apotheosis of Friday's CHI Geneva program approaches. Before the Rolex IJRC Top Ten was due to get underway, the five-star riders and horses showed up for the CSI5* 1,55m Prix des Communes Genevoises.
Course builders Gérard Lachat and Paris Olympic designer Gregory Bodo provided a challenging course that required focus to finish within the time allowed.
A fast Christian Kukuk (GER) took the win in the saddle of Chageorge (Chacco-Blue). The still only 9-year-old stallion was carefully worked up to this level by the Olympic champion and proved to be a good bet for the German rider. With a second and a half lead, the pair relegated compatriot Daniel Deusser (GER) to second place. He counted on Otello de Guldenboom, a descendant of his beloved Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. Another second later, Tiffany Foster (CAN) finished clear with Electrique (Emerald).
"It was a difficult course, it was more like a Grand Prix than a speed trial," Kukuk reflected after his round. "Chageorge is only nine years old so he doesn't have a lot of experience with the speed and this height. He felt ready to try it and he did an incredible job. I'm very excited about the future with him."
Simon Delestre (FRA) piloted Dexter Fontenis Z (Diarado) into fourth place, followed by Karl Cook (USA) and his Olympic mare, Caracole de La Roque (Zandor).
Course builders Gérard Lachat and Paris Olympic designer Gregory Bodo provided a challenging course that required focus to finish within the time allowed.
A fast Christian Kukuk (GER) took the win in the saddle of Chageorge (Chacco-Blue). The still only 9-year-old stallion was carefully worked up to this level by the Olympic champion and proved to be a good bet for the German rider. With a second and a half lead, the pair relegated compatriot Daniel Deusser (GER) to second place. He counted on Otello de Guldenboom, a descendant of his beloved Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. Another second later, Tiffany Foster (CAN) finished clear with Electrique (Emerald).
"It was a difficult course, it was more like a Grand Prix than a speed trial," Kukuk reflected after his round. "Chageorge is only nine years old so he doesn't have a lot of experience with the speed and this height. He felt ready to try it and he did an incredible job. I'm very excited about the future with him."
Simon Delestre (FRA) piloted Dexter Fontenis Z (Diarado) into fourth place, followed by Karl Cook (USA) and his Olympic mare, Caracole de La Roque (Zandor).