In New York, one of the highlights of the weekend has just been ridden: the CSI5* Grand Prix. In total, 29 combinations entered the show ring for this class that was ridden in two rounds.
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Quick results
- Nayal Nassar - Lucifer V
- Harrie Smolders - Une de l'Othain
- Olivier Philippaerts - H&M Cue Chenna 42
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The first round caused already a lot of problems for several riders. Only six of the 29 starting combinations could keep the zero on the score board. Amongst them several top riders such as Daniel Bluman, Beezie Madden, Harrie Smolders and Olivier Philippaerts. The riders therefore knew what to do: keep the zero on the scoreboard and ride as fast as the could.
The first rider who seriously came close to winning was Belgiums Olivier Philippaerts. He immediately went fast as lightening with H&M Cue Chenna 42 and finished in 40,93 seconds. After his round he said: "It was fast, but I'm pretty sure it will not be fast enough".. And he was right. The second last to go in for the second round was Harrie Smolders and he managed to jump even faster than Philippaerts. Hij rode Une de L'Othain (f. Conterno Grande) to the finish line in 39,46 seconds, leaving the wood untouched. It seemed like it was a done deal and he could go out and celebrate his victory. But then the winner of Fridays Speed Challenge, Nayel Nassar came in. He already rode a winning round with his Lucifer V (f. Lord Dezi) in the Speed Challenge and it became very clear that he wasn't going to let his trainer, Harrie Smolders, win. He did what seemed impossible and rode almost a second faster than Smolder. The Egyptian rider, who was riding for Evergate Stables LLC this weekend as wel as Harrie Smolders, finished in 38,59 seconds.
The Evergate Stables of Jennifer Gates can look back on a good weekend. With Nayel Nassar as rider, they won the Speed Challenge and the Grand Prix, something that has never happened before in the history of the Longines Masters. Nassar will be noted in the history books as the first (and only for now) rider who was able to win the Longines Speed Challenge and the Grand Prix in one weekend.
Only the top five could jump two clear rounds. Daniel Bluman and Ladriano Z (f. Lawito) ended on fourth place. They stopped the clock after 41,95 seconds. Captain Brian Cournane and Dino (f. Vingino) could jump two clear rounds as well. They finished in 45,88 seconds and took account of the fifth place. Cournan is a former eventing rider who only recently decided to focus a 100% on showjumping.
Click here for the results
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