A strong performance by Paris Panthers propelled them up the ranking leaderboard, but Shanghai Swans retain the top position after four events with an 11-point lead from second place St Tropez Pirates and Monaco Aces five points behind in third.
Strategic play by Monaco Aces, switching their squad line up on Day Two, paid off with Jerome Guery and on fire Julien Epaillard sealing the win. There was elation in the team camp after their dramatic victory and Julien said: “It was super today. It was a lot of pressure which is very bad for the heart!”
Jerome also admitted the pressure was intense on the whole team, including Marlon Monolo Zanotelli on Day One, and said: “We had to fight today. Julien was amazing and I fought for the victory.”
Valkenswaard United suffered a shock elimination in the rollercoaster competition and some of the top teams clocked up significant penalties around Uliano Vezzani’s masterful course. A huge Massimo Dutti oxer demanded full power early on in the course, while a delicate Longines plank set off a sweeping turn which caught out many of the most experienced athletes. A tough triple combination, set alongside the main grandstand, was the bogey fence of the day, causing troubles for many of the world’s best.
Early in the day spectators thronged to the stunning shopping village as anticipation mounted ahead of another afternoon of top team sport. Passion for show jumping has rocketed in China with almost 2,000 equestrian clubs across the country and a spectacular new state-of-the-art equestrian development, announced by the Government during the Shanghai LGCT.
Fans were again on the edge of their seats as the GCL contest got underway and it was to be a story of jubilation and heartache.