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IT WAS AUSTRALIA AGAINST THE USA, WITH A TOUCH OF MONEGASQUE PRESENCE

June 27, 2025

Guiseppe Rolli fell off his horse, Christina Liebherr’s horse went through the jump and Jean-Marc Nicolas was eliminated, but other than that, it was just a tough course. Again with long lines and sharp turns, Olaf Petersen wanted to get the best from the riders as a test for the Grand Prix on Saturday.

Even the winner of the second class yesterday, Bernardo Alves (BRA), had to retire. He and his horse Chupa Chup showed they were in Olympic form, but did not have their way.

Of the 32 starters in the second class today, it was Sheikh Ali Al Thani that had the most penalty points. With 22 penalties on his résumé, he finished last. Again 11 combinations started in the jump-off, which was full of riders that knew how to ride! Gerco Schröder (NED), Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), Robert Whitaker (GBR), all of them had made it into the jump-off, but only Edwina Alexander was fastest. Australia had beaten Beezie Madden with Onlight (Calando x Landgraf), who represented the USA.

Winning €6.250, Edwina Alexander was very happy to go into the arena again, especially after her second place in Cannes (although that was with Itôt du Château), she was happy to show the form she and her horse Isovlas Socrates are in.

In the first class, it was a kind of Brazilian win again, although Luciana Diniz has been riding for Portugal for a couple of years now. Riding Nightlover (Landritter x Furioso), she was fastest of yet again 11 starters in the jump-off. Beating the winner of the Grand Prix in Doha (QAT) and last year’s winner of Cannes, Gregory Wathelet who rode for Ukraine then but now for Belgium again, as well as French riders Michel Robert, Julien Epaillard, and Philippe Rozier. Laura Kraut defended the American name, but had to settle for third place in this class, still winning €3,000 with Le Prestige St. Lois.

The most glamorous appearance today was by the royal family. HRH Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover, came today as well as HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

At 20.45 hrs, the entire entrance of the showground was filled with camera’s. All photograph journalists were present for the arrival of HSH Prince Albert II du Monaco.

Diane Fissore, president of the International Jumping de Monaco, welcomed him with a warm heart, as well as Jan Tops, president of the Global Champions Tour.

HSH The Prince came with entourage and in the presence of Diane Fissore, Jan Tops, Victoria McCullough (founder of the Triumph Project), and E. Hunter Harrison (President and Chief Executive Officer of CN), a special moment was stored on many camera’s.

It was an unforgettable evening, for riders, media, and visitors. All were extremely enthusiastic about the atmosphere at the event, the twirling lights in the evening, and of course the exhilarating Monegasque showjumping moments!

Written by Marcia Buur · Filed Under Contributors, Europe, Europe and British Isles, Global Champions Tour, Marcia Buur 
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