The French dominate the first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final with the world’s leading lady rider Penelope Leprevost finishing on top after an incredible performance. Compatriot and world no. one Simon Delestre following behind as runner-up. In the top twelve were also two of the other French riders, with Patrice Delaveau ending 6th and Kevin Staut 12th. The 38th edition of the World Cup Finals saw 35 riders competing over Santiago Varela’s very well built track consisting of thirteen fences, that included a triple combination at 5abc (vertical-vertical-oxer) and a combination at 8ab (oxer-vertical). Faults spread out all over the course, although the golden oxer with a water tray at fence ten claimed quite a few victims set at a distance of five forward or six supporting strides. Also, many riders got in trouble simply by being a bit over-motivated rushing their horses into making mistakes. The first clear round in the table C-competition, where faults are converted into additional time, came from France’s Patrice Delaveau and Lacrimoso HDC (Landjunge x Cascavelle) – both masters of speed over heights. The two set the target time at 66.96 seconds, and the pressure was on – although it looked like the time was definitely possible to beat. Reigning World Cup Champion Steve Guerdat put in a good bid on Corbinian ( Cornet Obolensky x Pilot), that perhaps lacks the last experience at the highest level of the sport, and did an incredible turn to the third last oxer as well as to the final fence to slot into fourth after Penelope, Simon and Daniel – making it tight and exciting on top with some of the world’s very best and most consistent riders leading the way on day one in Gothenburg.
