SKIPPING the five-star Dublin Horse Show after dominating last year, Italian superstar Lorenzo de Luca headed to the Global Champions Tour in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, where he won the GCT Grand Prix on Saturday night with Stephex Stables’ Ensor de Litrange LXII.
Eight riders made it through to the timed round. Rain poured down at Jan Tops’ home venue but the footing remained perfect as two weeks previously, Tops had replaced the magnificent grass arena with sand.
Swiss lady Janika Sprunger was first to take on the shortened track with Edesa’s Basantos but one down meant they would not be in the running for the win. Next up, young Belgian star Jos Verlooy with the experienced Caracas looked intent on jumping clear. The duo flew around the arena to jump clear, setting the time to beat at 41.51 seconds.
Speed demon Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII looked dangerous, blazing around the arena and taking out strides wherever they could.
They were up on the clock from the start, with a turn to the Sapinda oxer beautifully managed to save milliseconds – as they galloped to the finish they smashed the time, finishing two and a half seconds in front in 39.20.
Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Codex One gave it their all, with Ahlmann managing the stallion beautifully around the arena. They gave it everything, but couldn’t better the Italian’s time to finish in 39.93 seconds for second place.
Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi TN entered the ring, all hopes pinned on a home win. Setting off at a gallop, the duo looked strong, but they could only finish in 40.31 to take third place on the podium.
There was heartache as overall LGCT leader Harrie Smolders galloped to the last with Emerald. The pair, who had looked so strong and consistent throughout took a chance at the final fence, with the crowd groaning as the final pole fell.
Smolders only just keeps hold of his championship lead, with 268 points overall, but Ahlmann has kept his title hopes alive with a strong second to move into second with a score of 257 points. Just two points behind is Italy’s Alberto Zorzi (255).
Speaking afterwards, de Luca said: “My horses are jumping really consistent. I know the horses and they try their best for me. Ensor loves the big rings so I knew he could do really good here and he did a fantastic job.
“When I finished I thought I was fast but never fast enough as those guys are really dangerous! My horse has a really big stride, I was quite fast everywhere but you’re never sure when you come out. I tried a long distance to the first which was risky, but it paid off today.”
LEAGUE
There was major upset in the Global Champions League of Valkenswaard after the heavyweight Hamburg Diamonds knocked home city team Valkenswaard United off the Championship lead with a phenomenal win in the reigning champions’ backyard.
Smolders and Verlooy delivered two brilliant rounds to take the top spot for the Diamonds, with the team collecting a tally of 265 points – eight points clear of nearest rivals Valkenswaard United, who sit on 257 points.
Co-Founder Jan Tops spoke of the ever-evolving and hotly contested Championship battle during the press conference, saying: “Nearly every week the lead changes, it’s incredible.”
Second went to Madrid in Motion after home heroes Leopold van Asten and Maikel van der Vleuten jumped the only team double clear in a difficult, technical course. Third went to the Cascais Charms, featuring in-form Carlos Lopez and young German talent Andreas Kreuzer.
The tour now takes a short break to allow for the European Championships in Gothenburg and then moves to Rome, Italy, for the penultimate leg from September 21st-24th.