News
Ludger leads the way in the Grand Prix of Rome
May 27, 2012
Ludger Beerbaum and Gotha FRH (Goldfever) rode two fantastic rounds at Piazza di Siena to claim the Grand Prix in Rome. The Italian crowds got to see some really impressive sport in the Loro Piana Citta di Roma, with some of the world’s best riders chasing each other for the win. As on Friday, the Germans dominated with Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z (Galoubet A) in second – making it a hugely successful weekend for the team.
Thirteen riders managed to produce clears in the first round, and move on to the second part of the competition.
The first to go in the second round was Harrie Smolders who rode a great clear on Exquis Walnut de Muze (Nabab de Reve) the first time around. This time luck wasn’t on Harries side though and he took the last fence with him. Natale Chiaudani kept his cool around the shortened track though. The Italian rider really fought to make it to the jump-off on a very well jumping Fix Design Almero (Asti Spumante), and yet again he managed to produce a clear round in front of the ecstatic home crowds which literally exploded! In the end Natale’s time of 48.31 was good enough for seventh. Guy Williams followed Natale with four faults.
Marco Kutscher and Cornet Obolensky (Clinton) had no problem with handling the challenges though, and were clear on the time 45.59 to take a provisional lead after a really tight turn from number two to three. Simone Wettstein produced yet another clear as well – although a bit slower. Jur Vrieling really tried to catch Marco, but VDL Bubalu (Baloubet du Rouet) is not the easiest to turn and the two ended a little behind on 46.04.
Britain had no less than four riders in the second round. Tina Fletcher was one of them, but went for a steady clear – while her compatriot Peter Charles really tried to hunt Kutscher down on a very well jumping Murka’s Vindicat W (Guidam). The two really impressed in the first round, and looked dangerous – but unfortunately the two last fences fell. Janika Sprunger gave it a go on the bouncy Palloubet d’Halong (Baloubet du Rouet), and the two flew around the track on 45.67 seconds after a fast gallop to the oxer at six and to the last gate as well.
Then it was time for Marc Dillaser on Obiwan Piliere (Dimant de Semilly). The French rider raced around the remaining track to cross the finish line on 45.10 and took the lead to wild cheers from the crowds. It didn’t last long though as Christian Ahlmann entered the arena next on Taloubet Z. The pair is like a well oiled machinery, and the stallion turns like nobody else – their turn to the penultimate vertical was unbelievable and Taloubet Z almost jumped from a standstill. The time looked unbeatable; 44.58 seconds!
Ludger was next to enter the ring. Gotha FRH had jumped fantastic in the first round, but the big question was Christian’s fantastic time. The German veteran managed the seemingly impossible though; a fantastic turn from fence two to three and a flat out gallop from fence five to six helped secure the win – and put them at an unbelievable fast time at 43.10! A weekend of fantastic sport in beautiful surroundings was closed off with double German on top!
Source World of Showjumping.com