A challenging Grand Prix course was set this evening for the 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. Ten combinations ultimately qualified for the jump-off. In that final, Harrie Smolders rode to victory with the 16-year-old Monaco (Cassini II). "It had been a while since I last won in the LGCT. Today couldn't have gone any better!" said Smolders.
Harrie Smolders was one of the last to go and guided Monaco (Cassini II) to a faultless round, winning in 42.30 seconds. "Monaco has been feeling really good for a while now. He’s been in top form for several weeks. That, combined with his talent and willingness, really makes him a 'one of a kind' horse," Smolders explained. "In the first round, I really wanted to make a statement. Cannes doesn’t have the biggest arena, so everything comes at you quickly. You can’t afford to lose focus for a second. That’s why I rode the first round assertively."
The duo stayed just a few tenths of a second ahead of Simon Delestre and the 13-year-old SF gelding Cayman Jolly Jumper (Hickstead). In third place was Smolders' compatriot, Maikel van der Vleuten.
Van der Vleuten and the 11-year-old BWP stallion O'Bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P. (Darco) completed the top three ahead of Mariano Martinez Bastida. Only these top three managed to finish the jump-off without faults. The Spaniard had already made an impression earlier and this time finished in the prizes with the 11-year-old KWPN gelding Jup (Carrera VDL).
Riding the 13-year-old BWP gelding Iron Dames my Prins (Zilverstar T), Sophie Hinners secured fifth place.
