LGCT Press Release :
Pius Schwizer threw down the gauntlet today and declared his dream is to win the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour series.
He spoke after winning the Mercedes-Benz Championat von Hamburg aboard the 10 year old mare Amira. Pius set a strong early pace in the 17 horse jump-off, as fourth to go he made the most of Frank Rothenburger’s galloping course, starting strongly and making all turns to finish clear in a very fast time of 41.63 seconds.
Incentivised by the €59,000 Mercedes-Benz on offer for the winner, the world’s top riders were in a determined mood to try to catch him. Christian Ahlmann, victorious in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Hamburg Grand Prix two years ago, mounted a strong challenge in front of the packed grandstand. Pushing on between fences and mastering the tight turn to the penultimate vertical the crowd thought he had done enough, cheering their countryman home, however his time of 42.03 seconds went into second place.
Last to go, four-time Olympic gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum, on the mighty Chaman looked like he might place the leader’s position in jeopardy, however despite a masterful display of show jumping, he could only manage third position with a time of 42.42.
Speaking after the class, a jubilant Pius said: “I am the third ranked rider on the Longines Global Champions Tour leaderboard since the last stage in Shanghai and I have a lot of good horses this season so the dream is to win the 2015 series.” The feature Longines Global Champions Tour of Hamburg Grand Prix presented by H&M will take place on Saturday with the world’s best riders, including Pius, all vying to usurp world No1 Scott Brash at the top of the leaderboard.
Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
