The 1.60m Longines Grand Prix delivered top-level sport in Lyon! After a jump-off with 10 riders, Richard Vogel soared to the ultimate Grand Prix victory.
Ten combinations started in the jump-off. Jeanne Sadran opened the round riding the 12-year-old SF stallion Dexter de Kerglenn (by Mylord Carthago; breeder: E.A.R.L. Alain Richard). Sadran set the tone with a clear round in 42.96 seconds.
It wasn’t until the sixth combination that Sadran’s performance was improved upon. Richard Vogel took the lead with the nine-year-old SF stallion Gangster Montdesir (by Kannan GFE; breeder: Haras Montdesir). The duo finished clear in 38.78 seconds.
Great Britain’s Ben Maher came quite close. Together with Enjeu de Grisien (by Toulon; breeder: Elevage De Grisien), Maher finished just behind Vogel.
Last to go, Gerrit Nieberg and the 10-year-old BWP gelding Ping Pong van de Lentamel (by Emerald van ’t Ruytershof; breeder: Hulde aan de Bok) jumped to an eventual third place.
Just outside the top three, Antoine Ermann placed fourth with Floyd des Prés (by Vigo Cece), ahead of Jeanne Sadran.
Willem Greve followed as the fastest four-faulter in sixth place. Greve competed with the 10-year-old BWP mare Pretty Woman van ’t Paradijs N.O.P. (by Vigo d’Arsouilles). The mare, bred by Johan Rooms, was earlier this week confirmed as part of the N.O.P. program for Willem Greve!