Edwina Alexander 3rd in GCT Chantilly

The female of the species was most definitely deadlier than the male in Chantilly today as American Laura Kraut and Cedric headed another all girl 1,2,3. The riders had warmed up earlier in the day with the Prix Amunde, a Table C Speed class. This is where faults are converted to time so if you are very fast it is possible to win even with a fence down. However in this company only being fast and clean over the rails would be good enough. The course featured several alternatives where the line was shorter but the jumps more difficult and Penelope Leprevost riding British bred Belle was the first to set a decent target. 60.68 looked fast and it did take Harrie Smolders on Exquis Powerfee to get in front. The horse who won or was placed in several GCT against the clock classes in 2009 scooted round in 59.12 and then his rider had to wait for the other half of the class to finish to see if he would win. But although he had to endure a couple of close shaves as first Denis Lynch (All Inclusive NW) and then Jerome Hurel (Nectar des Forets) got close the top two did not change. “ I think the GCT know all about Powerfee by now” said Harrie “But it is fair to say he is my best all round horse. You can always count on him as a standby for any class!”

Presented by EADS, the Grand Prix began with course designer Uliano Vezzani was on the top of his game. A double at four and a combination at nine proved the bogey fences and ensured the second round would have just eleven clears from 49 starters. They would not include the likes of Jos Lansink, Kevin Staut and Marco Kutsher and of the nineteen nations who started only 12 would still have representatives. As 18 went through to round two as is usual at the GCT, seven fast four faulters made the cut, two of who were Marcus Ehning (Plot Blue) and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum (Checkmate).

In the second round Marcus Ehning and Harrie Smolders (Regina Z) put immediate pressure on the leader by going clear but then the 7000 strong crowd were kept waiting for another until Penelope Leprevost (Mylord Cathargo) repeated her Aachen feat of last week by going double clear. A jump off was forced by Edwina Alexander (Cevo Itot du Chateau) and this pair were joined by Ludger Beerbaum (Chaman), Nick Skelton (Carlo) and of course, Laura.

Over a third new course Penelope set the standard with a clear in 40.39 which included a brave turn into the second last. Edwina could not quite catch her with 40.91. Ludger was faster in 39.27 despite a bad slip when emulating Penelope's turning manouvre but although he cleared the next fence Chaman had the last oxer down. Laura was next and she flew. A smoother turn to the second last left her a little way off the upright but Cedric could not have tried harder to clear it. The pair were rewarded for their effort with a clear in 38.22. That only left Nick, fastest in the first round, with a chance to beat her. But although Nick was up on the clock at the time, Carlo lowered the first part of the double and Laura had won her first GCT Grand Prix.

The race for the 1'000'000 Euro bonus has tightened up a little, as leader Marco Kutscher did not score points today so Marcus Ehning is now joint leader with two more rounds to go. Full details of this and all the results will be found at www.globalchampionstour.com and the show continues tomorrow with two more classes for the world's best riders.

Laura Kraut -”Cedric was in Aachen last week and so had got a bit used to big grass arenas but I have never asked him to go as fast as I did today. Penelope has set a good time and she is usually faster than me and today I decided I am just going to beat her for once! My horse was fantastic and I am thrilled to have finally won a GCT Grand Prix.”

Marwan Lahoud of EADS- “For the company, it is not about enhancing product recognition by sponsoring here, it is a love affair and who would stop one of those? Both Jan Tops and Gerald Manzinali (President Jumping Chantilly) both realise the show is not just about excellence in sport but also has value as a high status public relations exercise. I have been able to bring executives from Malaysia and other parts of Asia, who have not just enjoyed a sport that can be practised equally successfully by men and women but all the things a unique venue like this has to offer in the locality.”

Eurosport Broadcast schedule

Media partner Eurosport will broadcast all GCT Grand Prix throughout 2010.
Scheduled broadcast times are as follows (expressed below in Central European Time CET):
Valkenswaard - Sat 14 August 21.00 (delayed)
Rio de Janeiro - Sat 28 August 23.00 LIVE (18.00 local time BR)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Global Champions Tour (GCT):

The Global Champions Tour was founded by Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops in 2006, with the objective to improve the sport through better conditions for riders, horses, horse owners, sponsors and spectators alike. Every GCT event has a prize money of at least 400.000 euro of which at least 300.000 for the Grand Prix. The series which exists in 2010 of 9 events has a total prize money of 5.500.000 euro of which 1 million euro is reserved to be divided amongst the top 18 riders of the overall GCT ranking. In 2010 the best 7 results of the individual legs will count for the overall GCT ranking.