Eugenie Angot (FRA) takes the Links of London Grand Prix at Olympia
France’s Eugenie Angot saved her the best performance to the end of the London International Horse Show, where she won the £50,000 first prize at the Links of London Grand Prix. Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale claimed second place while third went to Italy’s Jonella Ligresti-Bonomelli. Beat Mandli (SUI) finished in fourth and John Whitaker (GBR) with Casino were fifth.
Thirty-Three horse/rider combinations came to the starting gate to face a technically challenging 1.6m course. Only eight riders managed to go clear and qualify for the jump off. Tim Stockdale (GBR) was the early pace setter, jumping clear in 39.43 sec, but there was no stopping Eugenie Angot once she had the Grand Prix within her sights. The audience watched in awe as she galloped Cigale de Taillis to the last jump off fence, clearing it with inches to spare and stopping the clock on 37.01 sec - more than two seconds faster than Stockdale.
“They’ll have to risk every inch now to beat that,” said Geoff Billington from the announcer’s booth. And as top riders John Whitaker and Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst knocked down rails in their effort to overtake Angot’s time, Billington’s words rang true. Not one of the remaining five riders came close to her winning time.
Angot’s win marks a spectacular end to one of the most exciting Olympia’s to date. In a presentation by the Duchess of Cornwall, she accepted the Grand Prix title – the first time France has done so since 1991 when Roger Yves-Bost finished fist on Norton Du Rhuys.
20 THE LINKS OF LONDON GRAND PRIX
Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.60 m) (Table A)
OFFICIAL RESULT
1. 25 Cigale du Taillis Angot, Eugenie FRA 16937.50 GB 0 37.01 sec
2. 79 Fresh Direct Corlato Stockdale, Tim GBR 11137.50 GB 0 39.43 sec
3. 78 Nanta Ligresti-Bonomelli, Jonella ITA 6537.50 GBP 0 41.08 sec
4. 86 Ideo du Thot Mändli, Beat SUI 5237.50 GBP 4 35.08 sec
5. 91 Casino Whitaker, John GBR 3837.50 GBP 4 35.83 sec
6. 68 Paparazzi Pollmann-Schweckhorst, Alois GER 2537.50 GBP 4 36.38 sec
7. 99 Aquino Sloothaak, Franke GER 1937.50 GBP 7 48.43 sec
8. 103 H.B.C. Pherna Kayser, Julia AUT 1837.50 GBP 8 39.92 sec
Earlier in the day, Eric Van der Vleuten’s unstoppable form continued with a win in the BIC Select Farewell Stakes, a neat result considering he won the opening speed class as well, on the same mare, Audi’s Owendal.
“She’s a real trier,” he said, “and always going forward.”
It was this ability that gave Eric the advantage over a tricky group of fences arranged on a continually turning line, and he had Franke Sloothaak beat by 1.55sec on his speed class winner, No Time.
19 The Farewell Speed Stakes
Int. jumping competition (1.40 m) (Table C)
1. 53 Audi’s Owendel Van der Vleuten, Eric NED 1200 GBP 35.61 seconds
2. 98 No Time Sloothaak, Franke GER 800 GBP 37.16 seconds
3. 84 Raetsheren Libelle Hoorn, Angelique NED 520 GBP 38.04 seconds
4. 92 Lactic 2 Whitaker, John GBR 400 GBP 38.28 seconds (36.28)
5. 48 Temple Ryefield Barker, Paul GBR 320 GBP 38.36 seconds
6. 81 Fresh Direct Glenwood Springs Stockdale, Tim GBR 240 GBP 38.72 seconds (36.72)
7. 55 Kanselier Whitaker, Ellen GBR 160 GBP 38.75 seconds (34.75)
8. 43 Rückenwind Wulschner, Holger GER 120 GBP 38.89 seconds (36.89)
9. 124 H & M Tamina Baryard-Johnsson, Malin SWE 120 GBP 39.12 seconds
10. 109 Rex Armstrong, Mark GBR 120 GBP 40.70 seconds (38.70)
Germany’s Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst was crowned leading rider of show while Britain’s John Whitaker was honoured as best British rider.
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