News
Edwina takes the World Cup in Geneva
Dec 10, 2012
The world cup leg in Geneva went to Edwina Tops-Alexander and her wonderful superstar Cevo Itot du Chateau (Le Tot de Semilly x Galoubet A). Edwina and Itot had the fastest time in the jump-off as well as being clear, just ahead of two other exciting combinations - Sergio Alvares Moya with Carlo 273 (Contender x Cascavelle) and Hans-Dieter Dreher and Magnus Romeo (Royal Feu x Hans Anders Z). Rolf Lüdi was the coursebuilder in Geneva and he had put together a challenging course as expected with the best riders present. The course was quite long and it was especially the triple combination faced against the crowds and the big screen that caused the riders most headache. Also the third last fence - a water mat-oxer - was a challenge.
Several combinations had time penalties, and the home crowd was not happy when their hero Steve Guerdat/Nino des Buissonnets was one of the “unlucky” ones who was kept out of the jump-off. Marcus Ehning and Noltes Küchengirl entered the arena after Steve just as the crowds cried out their dissatisfaction. The noisy welcome was not much appreciated by Küche who looked a little tense and had two fences down before Marcus decided to retire. Also Richard Spooner, Beat Mändli and Patrice Delaveau retired at eight faults today, and William Funnel left the arena after Billy Angelo crashed into the triplebar.
Eight riders were still able to clear the first round, led on by Janika Sprunger. The young Swiss rider has done very well this season and keeps proving that her good rounds are no coincidence. Like last weekend in Paris Janika was first to go in the jump-off with Palloubet d’Halong (Baloubet du Rouet x Muguet du Manoir). She was clear and had a good time, but did not put up full speed.
Hans- Dieter Dreher was next. Hansi guided Magnus Romeo safe but fast around the course, and they had a remarkable tempo down to the last fence, a vertical. The German was 0,77 seconds faster than Janika and took over the lead.
Then it was time for Denis Lynch and Abbervail van het Dingeshof (Nonstop x Jus de Pomme). Their time was good, but two poles fell and they were never a threat to Hansi or Janika in top.
Then there was time for a different story as Edwina and Itot entered the arena. At the age of 16 the chestnut gelding seems to be better than ever, and the two made the course look amazingly easy. In good old Edwina and Itot style they nearly flew to the last fence and crossed the finish line 1,71 seconds faster than Hansi. It looked like a winning round, but four fast combinations were still to come.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall La Silla were next to try and challenge Edwina's time. They started off really well and Rolf put up a high speed. Unfortunately they missed the distance to an oxer which made Casall take off on a hughe stride and a pole fell.
As always Marco Kutscher’s round looked like a relaxed walk in the park. But as the clock stopped he was faster than Janika, but slower than Edwina and Hansi. As one fence fell Marco and Spartacus TN (Stakkato x Grannus) had to settle for sixth place.
Roger-Yves Bost tried his best as always, but also the French speed-machine had one down today. With the second fastest time of the day he still secured fifth place.
Sergio and Carlo were last to go. The lovely combination cleared the course and had a good time, but had to settle for second as their time was 1,24 seconds slower than today’s unbeatable combination Edwina and Itot.
Final results;
1. Edwina Tops-Alexander/Cevo Itot du Chateau 0/40.40
2. Sergio Alvares Moya/ Carlo 273 0/41.64
3. Hans-Dieter Dreher/Magnus Romeo 0/42.11
4. Janika Sprunger/Palloubet d’Halong 0/42.88
5. Roger Yves Bost/Castles Fores Myrtille Paulois 4/41.18
6. Marco Lutscher/Spartacus TN 4/42.48
7. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson/Casall La Silla 4/42.73
8. Denis Lynch/Abbervail van het Dingeshof 8/40.88
Click here for the full results.
Source World of Showjumping