Marlon Modolo Zanotelli Secures Victory in CSI4* Grand Prix at Longines Tops International Arena, Concluding a Thrilling First Week of Summer Festival
July 09, 2023 CSI2*: Grand Prix win for Murphy and Imbeer
As many as 25 combinations qualified for the jump-off in this Grand Prix. It was a big jump-off with a course that presented several difficult lines that cost many a rider their head. Britain's Robert Murphy won with an awe-inspiringly fast round. He and his 10-year-old Imbeer stopped the clock at 39.31 seconds. A time that proved unmatchable for all the combinations after him. "I am delighted with this win, Imbeer jumped fantastic in this incredible grass arena,” Murphy said after his ride. “These shows at Longines Tops International Arena are brilliant to bring a wide range of horses to with such great facilities. Recently I moved to Belgium to base myself with Jos Lansink so we will coming back for the rest of the summer. And I think it's great all the extra additions they have made to the venue this year, the atmosphere is fantastic." Second place went to France's Pénélope Leprevost with Fantasy de la Roque Z, who crossed the finish line in 39.58 seconds. Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was third with Electro vd Kromsteeg. The fastest round was ridden by Italian Lorenzo de Luca with Violino Il Palazetto, 38.50 seconds, but at the cost of two faults.
Brazilian top rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was the fastest in the competition against the clock with obstacles up to 1.35m. He effortlessly rode to victory with the eight-year-old BWP mare Provence van het Bovenlos in 59.02 seconds. In doing so, he beat Frenchman known for his speed, Julien Epaillard. Epaillard needed almost a second more to clear all obstacles with Carbone de Carva. Dutchman Tom Schellekens came third with Interessant van de Zietfort.
Young Horses
The young horses had their grand final on Sunday morning in which 40 combinations started. Of these, 17 managed to stay clear in the first round. The jump-off had eight obstacles and had a few difficult lines including the turn between the double and obstacle 6, a vertical. France's Pénélope Leprevost was the best in this exciting final with her beautiful black gelding Vanquish Z. The 42-year-old rider steered the strongly jumping gelding through the course at a high pace and crossed the finish line in 36.97 seconds. In doing so, she relegated Belgian Gilles Thomas to second place. Thomas also had no problem with the challenges posed by the course and rode his BWP-approved stallion Qannando B&V over the obstacles in 37.36 seconds as a matter of course. Third place went to Norway's Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Lolita Es. The son of international show jumper Geir Gulliksen needed 37.51 seconds.
The class for five-year-olds was won by Dutch Tom Schellekens and Nala van de Zietfort.
CSI1* Grand Prix
Romain Potin performed very well the previous days at Longines Tops International Arena and managed to keep his 'winning mood' also in this Grand Prix (1.35m). Out of 40 competitors, 12 combinations qualified for the jump-off which remained super exciting until the end. American Veronica Tracey had the lead and the five riders after her could not improve her time. Everyone held their breath when Romain Potin appeared last in the arena, he was a competitor to be reckoned with. And he did what was expected of him. He managed to stay 0.13 seconds under Tracy's time to win the 1* Grand Prix. He steered Cyrrus des Chaines through the course effortlessly and at a fast pace, stopping the clock at 33.96 seconds. Tracy took second place with the 10-year-old mare Billy Everest. Her compatriot Ella Duffy was third with the seven-year-old stallion Destine to Be with a time of 35.43 seconds.
Piet Raijmakers Jr ensured Dutch success by winning the competition against the clock (1.25m). He did so with a super fast ride in 62.32 seconds with the seven-year-old stallion Marco R. American Campbell Brown came second with Keeper vd Berghoeve The Mexican Emilio Salinas Rodriguez finished in third place with Yorka M.
Frenchman Romain Potin probably felt he had not won enough yet and added another victory to his list: the 1.15m class. He needed 34.44 seconds to jump the obstacles clear with Brooklynn which was enough for first place. It was the third victory for this combination during the first Summer Event at Longines Tops International Arena. American Campbell Brown came second with Javenia followed by Dutch Marie Schalken with Diamond Lady.
