Portuguese rider Luciana Diniz has had a tremendous start to 2015. Yesterday she won the big class in Basel with her stallion Winningmood, who has only recently returned to competition after suffering from colic. Today she won the Grand Prix with the 11 year old mare Fit For Fun 13 (For Pleasure x Fabriano).
Forty five of the world's best show jumpers started in this coveted 1.60m Grand Prix. Out of these forty five only fifteen progressed to the second round, which was a new course. The second round proved to be very difficult with the time being a major factor with several riders exceeding the time allowed. Five riders progressed to the jump-off where Luciana Diniz took the win as the fastest of the three triple clears.
World no.1 Scott Brash pulled out all the stops with Hello Sanctos and took a lot of risks but in the end his time was bested by second placed Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the 11 year old gelding Extra van Essene (Diamant de Semilly x Gotthardsen). In the end Brash had to settle for third place. As last to go Gregory Wathelet was under a lot of pressure to take the lead, but a fault on the last jump saw him finish fourth place. The highest ranked home rider was Claudia Gisler and the inexperienced but talented 11 year old gelding Cordel (Catoki x Coriano), who finished in eighth place.
Full results
Photos courtesy of CSI Basel Press
Main Photo : Luciana Diniz
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Marlon M. Zanotelli[/caption]
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Scott Brash[/caption]
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Claudia Gisler[/caption]
