Four combinations qualified for the jump-off of the 1.60m CSI5* LGCT Grand Prix in Madrid. It proved a tough challenge at the exclusive Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. As the only clear round, Simon Delestre jumped his way to victory.
In the first round it was Thibeau Spits (BEL) who secured a place in the jump-off. Luck was not on Spits' side when it mattered, however, and the 11-year-old Zangersheide stallion Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z (Indoktro-K van 't Kattenheye) finished fourth, ahead of Fernando Martinez Sommer and the 12-year-old KWPN gelding Joep (Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve).
Only Simon Delestre and the 10-year-old SF gelding Gatsby du Tillard (President) managed to deliver a faultless jump-off round. Stopping the clock at 52.30 seconds, Delestre claimed the Grand Prix victory. Gatsby is still in ownership of Belgium's Stal Naessens & Arnaud Dewaele.
"It was a challengingly built class for the combinations. The course designer had to build it that way, as a great many top combinations came to the start," commented the GCT TV commentator. "The water jump is a feature here in Madrid. Combined with the wall before the water, it makes for an enormously challenging combination to jump in this Grand Prix!" added the course designer. "It will be the only time in the LGCT season that the water jump features in the course!"
Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio (Calvaro FC) finished more than seven seconds back. With one fence down, the pair had to settle for second place on the podium. Third went to Antoine Ermann and the 11-year-old SF gelding Floyd des Pres (Vigo Cece).
