Verona CSI*****W day one

Werner Muff and Unik take the
opening class. By Bruno de Lorenzo

By Lulu Kyriacou for Jumping Verona

The first day's 1.45 speed class might have been treated by some as a warm up class, but not luckily not everyone. The class proved an exciting opener as it should have with a €5,000 first prize.

The money went to Switzerland's Werner Muff riding Unik. The nine-year-old has won several international classes for his rider before this and his time of 53.6 seconds was just good enough to take the lead.

"I have been to Verona before but I have not started as well as this on other occasions," said Werner.

He had taken pole position from Bernardo Alves and Kingly du Reverdy, who had been one of the earlier partnerships, setting the standard of 53.86 seconds. The Brazilian held his place for over half the class before the lead was taken from him. However, neither was quite sure of their first and second prizes until America's Lauren Hough had been. She made a good effort on Available Versace, but stopped the clock at 54.05 seconds, which was good enough for third.

Bernado Alves and Bridget head the
Premio Dainese. By Bruno de Lorenzo

In the Premio Dainese, Bernardo Alves went one better by winning on Bridget. The combination took two seconds off the eventual third-placed pair of Niels Bruynseels and Cipollini, who were almost early into the ring when they set their time of 60.19.

"My horse is still young, so I took no risks but he has a very big stride," said the Belgian rider, who is enjoying his first visit to Verona immensely.

With one chestnut mare already in the lead, it was another who eventually claimed second. Edwina Alexander and the rather headstrong Kisby split the leaders with a time of 59.77 seconds, despite the round not going at all to plan when Kisby got a bit strong. Bernado had added another €6,250 to his day's winnings and after the class he said: "I wish I had a few more like Bridget. She is amazing and can do anything, she is so careful. I love her! This is why I did not take her to WEG, she has only done five other Grands Prix, so she is still learning and I think so much of her, I want to give her time."

Steve Guerdat wins the first day's
major class with Ferrari.
By Bruno de Lorenzo

The big class of the day was the Premio Acqua Cutolo Rionero, worth €12,500 to the winner. Course-designer Rolf Luedi probably was not hoping for quite as many clears as he eventually got, but 17 through to the second round did make for a crowd pleasing jump-off.

Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and the appropriately named Ferrari were fifth in the ring and with an immaculately ridden round, took three seconds off the previous best. The others then all had to play catch up.

The Netherlands' Jeroen Dubbledam and BMC Van Grunsven Simon ended up second best and Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa was third on Champ. Bernado Alves was also in the placings in this class, too, finishing fourth.

For full results, click here