Penelope Leprevost won the Longines Grand Prix. Second place went to Daniel Deusser (GER) and the Chinese rider, Bin Zhang, won the third place.
The top French show jumper, Penelope Leprevost, won the Longines Grand Prix at the “9th Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters” in the Chinese national stadium, the “Bird’s Nest”. She crossed the finish line in the jump-off ahead of Daniel Deusser (GER) and the Chinese rider, Bin Zhang.
The starting field boasted 35 participants, seven of whom succeeded in reaching the jump-off. In the saddle of “Cenai”, the French rider took 45.09 seconds to complete the course that was built by Ralf Hollenbach – which was just over 1.5 seconds faster than Deusser. “It was simply her turn this time,” a delighted Ludger Beerbaum, co-organiser of the show, said about the victory of Leprevost. “Super, that I pulled it off at the fifth attempt,” the winner explained. “It is already super riding here, but to win is fantastic. This year simply everything fitted into place.” 26 of the best Chinese riders competed against nine international riders. The special challenge for the latter: Due to the quarantine regulations, they have to saddle borrowed horses. Since China’s top stars take part with their own horses, more or less equal chances prevail. It was thus no great surprise that Bin Zhang finished third. “It is of course brilliant that I was able to beat seven of the world’s best riders in one go,” the Chinese show jumper said with a grin.
The Grand Prix was the final class of the “9th Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters”. What began nine years ago, has developed into one of the, if not perhaps THE most important event on the Chinese equestrian sport circuit. The nine years have been an “incredible journey”, said Jing Li, President of the organisers, “Dashing Equestrian”. The concept of the show not “only” sees the Beijing Masters as an equestrian show, but as an elementary contribution to the sustainable development of the sport. According to Michael Mronz, the show is “a great opportunity for the equestrian sport”, because it is also about the “transfer of experience and know-how,” the Vice-President of Dashing Equestrian added. Germany’s most famous show jumper, Ludger Beerbaum, has been supporting the team from the very onset. He is particularly grateful to Jing Li and her team on-site: “It is a huge challenge every year,” stated Beerbaum. Due to the unique concept and the system with borrowed horses the Masters is “totally different to what we do throughout the rest of the year.” Also with the tenth edition next year in mind, he concluded: “I am indeed rather proud to be part of this development.”
SOURCE: Press release