Gianni Govoni just surprised everyone at Jumping Amsterdam with his amazing round in the 1.45m Provincie Noord-Holland Prijs. During a jump-off with 19 riders the Italian did honor to the name of his mare Winn Winn by marginally beating Dutch rider Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof's Bylou. Patrice Delaveau who won last nights class with home bred Aquila followed in third place with his Carinjo HDC (v. Cascavelle).
The audience was on the edge of their seats during Houtzager's round with his KWPN bred mare of Phin Phin. Using the strides of his mare to cut the corners and take the optimal route the pair was faster at the halfway mark of the Telegraaf oxer. When they cleared the touch combination of an oxer followed by a strait the crowed went crazy with just one jump left. Riding towards that last straight that was placed on nearly all the way on the other side of the arena Houtzager let Bylou wait a split second to get that perfect stride. Nearly sure of victory the crowed anticipated the time of the score board. But that little wait was a mere 0.03 seconds. No Dutch victory but a second place for Houtzager.
Instead it were Govoni and his Chin Chin mare Winn Winn who had succes this afternoon. The pair put in a speedy round, with a bit of luck here and there. When crossing the finish they had set the clock on 30.81 seconds and claimed the number one spot in this 1.45m class. French rider Delaveau once again showed that he really is among one of the top riders in the world. After yesterdays victory the rider claimed third price today aboard the Holsteiner stallion Carinjo HDC (v. Cascavelle).
Even though the Dutch did not claim the top spot in the class. They sure did put in some fantastic clear rounds. The top five got completed by two more "Riders in Orange". On fourth place it was Remco Been and his KWPN mare Lumen Ulady (v. Guidam). Albert Zoer and his gray horse Dum Dum (v. Larino) followed in fifth.
