Marcus Ehning scores a lucrative treble in Rio

Marcus Ehning and Noltes Küchengirl.
By Lulu Kyriacou

Germany's Marcus Ehning's win in the final Grand Prix of this year's Global Champions Tour with Noltes Küchengirl netted him a massive €425,000. 

Italian course designer Uliano Vezanni's course produced 11 clears from the first round of the three-round competition. The leader of the GCT rankings league, heading for the biggest share of the tour's million Euro bonus, Marco Kutscher was not among them having had two down on Catoki. Instead, he had to wait on the sidelines to see if his fellow countryman Marcus would overtake his lead with a top three place in the Grand Prix.

Eighteen were required for the second round, so seven first-round faulters joined the 11 clears.

Britain's Ellen Whitaker (Equimax Ocolado) was the first of seven to go double clear and go forward to the final timed jump-off. Joining her were fellow Brit Ben Maher (Oscar IX); Ireland's Denis Lynch (All Inclusive NRW), Australian Edwina Alexander (Cevo Itot Du Chateau); Brazilian Carlos Motta Ribas (Ronaldo), and Germany's Philipp Weishaupt (Souvenir 29) and, of course, Macus Ehning (Noltes Küchengirl).

Ellen went first, but hit the third fence, and Phillip toppled the last. But these were the only two faulters in this round. 

Denis produced the first triple clear and set a hard target for those who followed in 33.50 seconds. Edwina took a stride out between the third and fourth fences, but fell short by half a second. Ben went steadier on Oscar, finishing eventual fifth, before Carlos put in a performance to thrill the home crowd, but couldn't quite catch Denis nor Edwina finishing fourth overall. 

Last in was Marcus, who had already secured the leading rider prize of €25,000 by this stage. A second and a half split the clear riders before he jumped. 

The triple World Cup winner made good use Noltes Küchengirl's huge stride and a final gallop to the last sealed the Grand Prix and bonus win earning him a further €430'000.

“I was lucky to be last to go and knew I had a fast horse who could catch Denis," said Marcus. "I still cannot believe all this has happened. I had to take all the risks in the jump off and it paid off. I was lucky it all worked. I am just a bit happy!”

For results and start lists click here