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| Edwina Alexander and Cevos Itot du Chateau. By Steffan Grasso/GCT |
Edwina Alexander scored her second big win this season, matching her Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes success. She likes France, and so too does her French-bred partner Itot de Chateau.
"When you have all the control, the dressage is good and your horse is feeling fantastic you should be able to win anywhere," said Edwina. "He's an incredible horse and that is why he wins in different places."
Penelope Leprevost (France) Edwina Alexander (Australia), and Luciana Diniz (Portugal) were the only three to jump double clear to factor an exciting jump-off.
Top of the table
The class results have also caused a shuffle in the series' league table. Edwina has boosted her position to first, on 195 points, taking over the lead from Germany's Ludger Beerbaum, on 186.5, just ahead of Luciana Diniz with 186.
"I was quite far behind Ludger," said Edwina. "Now, I’m not that far ahead and so much can happen. I am happy to be where I am and I hope I can stay there. I am just going to take it as it comes."
The Grand Prix course, designed by Italy's Uliano Venazzi, provided many interesting challenges. The first round was not overly big in terms of height and width of most fences. However, the technical dimensions along with the unsteady, soggy footing provided the most challenges.
It was going to be a battle of the best mud runners as the morning had produced many showers of rain.
First round
French rider Patrice Deleveau, second out on course, provided the first clear round with Orient Express for the 6,000 spectators who roared in appreciation. Fourteen horses later, American rider Lauren Hough jumped clear with her 10-year-old stallion, Arizona Pie 9.
Three more women competitors jumped clear, Luciana (Lennox), Edwina and Penelope (Mylord Carthago). Added the mix of clears was Pablo Barrios (Venezuela).
Timing matters
Swiss rider Clarissa Crotta and Imperial West Side van Meerputhoeve provided a round of jumping perfection, but came home with 1 time fault, as did Canadian Eric Lamaze with Atlete van’T Heike. Greece's Athina Onassis de Miranda jumped a careful round with AD Crosshill, however, she landed home with three time penalties to her scorecard. Last year’s winner Laura Kraut also jumped with all rails intact yet took a time penalty.
So four ladies and two gents were clear and joined by clear were joined by the four riders who had incurred time penaltie,s plus the fastest four faulters making up the 18 to go again.
Second round
The weather changed and the sun shone as a completely new track was presented for the second round, with the four faulters to start. It was clear from the beginning that these riders wanted to take the shortest track in the quickest time to add pressure on those to come. They too were also hoping to gain some of the 285,000 Euro prize money and GCT ranking points.
Nine riders jumped clear, of which only three were double clear to demand a jump-off. The all female final round was a top class performance.
Penelope and Edwina were on the podium in 2010 and back to claim a place joined this year by Luciana. Last years' winner Laura Kraut jumped a clear second round and had to settle for fourth place with Cedric on one time fault.
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| Lucina Diniz and Lennox. By Steffano Grasso/GCT |
Penelope took every angle possible with Mylord Carthago and was over the finish line in 44.16 seconds.
Although Itot de Chateau is a smaller horse in stature, Edwina had him covering the ground well, turning up on a short track to the second last vertical and put in a hard gallop to the last to be home in 41.91 seconds.
Sitting in pole position to go last in the jump-off, Luciana Diniz looked quicker over the ground but fell short in time by 0.3 of a second finishing on 41.91 seconds foir the runner-up spot.
Victory for Edwina and Itot de Chateau who place yet another Global Champions Tour trophy on the mantelpiece.
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