The Peninsula
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and 11-year-old Conner Jei produced a stunning show to win the 1.55m jump-off on the second day of 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and Global Champions League, yesterday.
As world’s best riders and horses were tested on a difficult course designed by Uliano Vezzani at the spectacular Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, the combination of Fuchs and Conner Jei proved too good for the opponents with a time of 34.74 secs as the Swiss World No.2 heads into today’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha with an impressive win.
Germany’s Christian Kukuk, astride Nice van’t Zorgvliet, was second with a time of 35.80 secs while his compatriot Christian Ahlmann, riding Solid Gold Z was third after clocking 36.75 secs.
“That was a great jump off. My horse Conner Jei was amazing last week as well,” said Fuchs after his victory yesterday.
“He was second place in the same class at CHI Al Shaqab. Today I tried to ride as fast as I could, knowing that Marlon (Modolo Zanotelli) is still going to be behind me. He was fastest today but luckily he dropped a rail,” he said.
“My horse is so careful and he has amazing ability. He allows me to do something little bit crazy like this and I am glad to be sitting on a horse like this. Tomorrow I will be riding Leone Jei – my championship horse. He is also in a very good shape, I am going to try to produce three more clear rounds tomorrow,” Fuchs added.
Earlier, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl – known for being extremely fast and flawless - recorded a time of 58.93 seconds to win in CSI5* 1.50m course.
The riders had to compete against the clock in yesterday’s first big class, which also offers points for the Longines rankings.
Frenchman Kevin Staut, who rode fifteen-year-old Tolede de Mescam Harcour, was early leader after clocking 59.24 seconds but he had to settle for a second place, with Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher and Vestmalle des Cotis finishing third after clocking 59.96 seconds.
French duo of Simon Delestre astride Tinka’s Hero and Olivier Robert, who rode Vangog du Mas Garnier secured fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Action on the third and final day of the event will see teams competing in the second round of the GCL competition, which will start at 2:40pm.
New team Stockholm Hearts is leading the race to pick up this season’s first event. The team powered by H&M We Love Horses topped Thursday’s first round.
The powerful pairing of Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana alongside Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love will looking to be looking for another double clear round in a lightning-fast time.
The marquee event – the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha – will begin at 6pm today, with riders vying for the win as well as the first golden ticket to the season-ending LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Play-offs.