In Rome the Longines Global Champions Tour program concluded with a CSI5* 1.50m Ranking class. Germany's Christian Kukuk and his 13-year-old Checker 47 set the record time jumping to victory.
Kukuk and his son by Comme Il Faut jumped to victory with less than 0,2 seconds difference on Sweden's jumping rider, Peder Fredricson and Hansson WL (Hip Hop). Completing the top three, Katrin Eckermann (GER) jumped on stage aboard her 10-year-old Comme Il Faut-mare, Chao Lee.
The combination was followed by Horsepilot-rider, Laura Kraut (USA) and her trusted Calgary Tame (Old Chap Tame). Aboard her 11-year-old SF-gelding, Kraut referred Italy's Lorenzo De Luca with Poden Farms' Don Vito (Quaprice Bois Margot) to the fifth spot.
Speaking during his winner’s interview, Kukuk expressed his relief on it all coming together in the last 5* class of Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome 2023. He said, “I had a good feeling all weekend but have been a little bit unlucky. In this class I knew that the oxer of Lugano Diamonds had plenty of risk as the rail fell for a few riders, but I took the risk and it really paid off.”