Jos Verlooy and new ride Jacobien Dwerse Hagen
© LGCT / Stefano Grasso
Jos Verlooy (BEL) and new ride Jacobien Dwerse Hagen flew to victory in the final Sunday showdown as the Longines Global Champions Tour of London drew to a thrilling close.
Despite the horse being in Verlooy’s stable for less than six months, the duo delivered a foot-perfect performance with a clear partnership forming – the horse and rider visibly in tune with each other as they beat the world class field of 40 international riders.
Great British tradition was on stunning display once again as the Household Cavalry and the scarlet-coated Chelsea Pensioners led out by General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Governor of Royal Hospital Chelsea who also presented the prizes today. Watched by international guests mounted soldiers from the Household Cavalry escorted winner Jos Verlooy and Jacobien Dwerse Hagen. Volunteers of LGCT London were gifted official certificates of appreciation, thanking them for their hard work during the spectacular event. Spectators enjoyed the shopping village and helped raise funds for the Chelsea Pensioners and the Brooke equine welfare charity throughout the weekend.
A delighted Jos said: “My mare is so fast, I need to think slower! She made my job easy today. It helps when it’s a good horse – we’ve followed her for a long time, and she’s had many clears – results don’t lie. My job is just to ride good, and give her victories. Everything’s coming together, it’s not even six months so to have a victory this early is great – it really helps the confidence.”
In a final Sunday showdown Verlooy took the win from Julien Epaillard (FRA) with Queeletta, with Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) rounding out third place aboard Seringat in a thrilling eleven rider jump-off.
International guests such as Bruce Springsteen and Chelsea footballer Olivier Giroud watched on from the beautifully designed VIP hospitality, as 40 international combinations came forward to tackle the tough and testing 1.55m course built by Alan Wade. With the colourful London fences spread around the square sand arena, the time allowed of 71 seconds played a big part in deciding who would make it through to contest for the win.
Pathfinder Cindy Van Der Straten (BEL) picked up eight faults on her 12 year old Catalina after getting a little too deep to the Longines oxer and Tennor plank.
The first combination through to the jump-off was German showjumping master Marcus Ehning (GER) and his flashy stallion Cornado NRW – the pair looking at complete ease in the London arena. Speaking after his round, Ehning said: “He felt really amazing today – I had a quiet week with him, and with this run I’m really happy. His quality is unreal. I’m first to go [in the jump-off], so we’ll have to see those behind me – I can [only] try to have a really nice round.”
Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Seringat soon ensured fans would enjoy an electric jump-off, after their foot-perfect clear propelled them in with a chance of a win today. Home star Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello M’Lady were on top form as the pair worked like clockwork to produce the third clear round and earn themselves a spot in the final battle in Britain.
There was heartache for Simon Delestre (FRA) and Filou Carlo Zimequest as the first fence – a colourful London etched filler – fell. Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Cornetto K looked to be reestablishing their strong partnership, leaving all the fences up but just out of the time allowed to rule them out of a chance to take victory today. It would be the same fate for Jessica Springsteen and RMF Swinny du Parc – they too picking up a costly time fault.
The troublesome first fence would also ruin the chances of Christian Kukuk (GER) with his 10 year old Quintino, while plenty of big names fell by the wayside in their bid for glory, including Eric Lamaze (CAN) with Firkov du Rouet, Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) with Cigaret JVH Z, Constant van Paesschen (BEL) with Vendetta Treize, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) with Veronese Teamjoy and Harrie Smolders (NED) with Hocus Pocus de Muze.
The Tennor plank claimed both Robert and Michael Whitaker (GBR), and faults for William Funnell (GBR) with Billy Mccain and Emily Moffitt (GBR) with Tipsy du Terral meant British hopes were dashed as they were left out of a chance of a home win. There was further disappointment as yesterday’s LGCT Grand Prix of London winner, Ben Maher (GBR) collected an unusual 8 faults with F One USA.
But plenty would make it through, including the on-form Pieter Devos (BEL) with Jade vd Bisschop, Julian Epaillard (FRA) with Queeletta, Georgina Bloomberg (USA) with Quibelle, Jos Verlooy (BEL) with Jacobien Dwerse Hagen, Denis Lynch (IRL) with Gun Powder, William Whitaker (GBR) with RMF Chacco Top, Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) with Sangria du Coty, and Francois Mathy Jr (BEL) with Uno de la Roque.
Jump-Off
So it would be an 11 rider jump-off, with every rider gunning for glory in the final day of action at LGCT London. Bloomberg gave an insight into her tactics for the jump-off: “I feel good, she’s not super fast, so we’ll be looking to leave out strides, stay smooth and clear.”
First to return was Ehning and Cornado NRW, and they set off at a flowing gallop, making a smooth, tight turn from fences one to two. A long gallop to the Tennor vertical caused them a lucky rub, but the following combination would tumble as they flattened off coming around the corner – Ehning shaking his head in disappointment as he finished.
Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Seringat approached the first fence on an angle, saving milliseconds. Taking every long stride, they too had a rub at the double combination, but left all the fences up to finish clear in 33.19s.
The crowd cheered as Brash and Hello M’Lady returned to the ring, the pair looking on form all weekend. They took a slower pace, not contending for the win today – finishing clear but three seconds slower in 36.93s.
Speed demon Julien Epaillard (FRA) and the 11 year old Queeletta set off at a gallop, the Frenchman daring the mare around the course. They powered to the finish, shaving milliseconds off Aznar’s time to take provisional lead in 32.94s.
No stranger to wins in the final class of the weekend, LGCT ranking leader Pieter Devos (BEL) looked determined to chalk up another victory with Jade vd Bisschop. But the London Underground oxer fell, as did the Tennor plank, and the duo couldn’t challenge for the top today.
Georgina Bloomberg (USA) stayed true to her word with the bigger striding Quibelle, riding a beautifully smooth ride. But they landed too deep to the second part of the double, the vertical falling and costing them a win today.
Jos Verlooy (BEL) was determined from the off, with his 10 year old bay mare quick around the corners. He checked the horse to the delicate Tennor plank, but made up time to the final fence, and managed to beat Epaillard’s time by 0.06s. The new time to beat would be 32.88s, with the pressure on the final riders to come.
Irish hope Denis Lynch brought back the big-striding 9 year old stallion Gun Powder, hoping for an explosive finish to the weekend. But they knew they would have to produce something special to beat Verlooy’s time and an unlucky 4 faults at the combination would drop them out of contention.
Final British hope William Whitaker (GBR) had the crowd behind him, and they looked on fantastic form in the first part of the course. But there were groans as they too came undone at the double combination, and the hopes of a British win today would tumble.
Penultimate rider to go, the experienced Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) had all the pressure on his shoulders, but looked to take on the track at a steadier pace with Sangria du Coty. They finished clear, but with a much slower time of 38.36s – a good result and a confidence building round.
Last to go, and in prime position to steal the win was Francois Mathy Jr with Uno de la Roque.They took the tightest turns they possible could, but the 11 year old gelding couldn’t match Verlooy’s time, and they finished clear in 34.37s.
London Knights charge to ranking lead with spectacular home win
Ben Maher and Olivier Philippaerts charged to the team’s fourth win of the Championship
© LGCT / Stefano Grasso
In a breathtaking display of top sport, the London Knights duo of Ben Maher and Olivier Philippaerts charged to the team’s fourth win of the Championship, taking victory on home turf to slingshot themselves into the overall ranking lead.
With Maher’s mighty Explosion W and Philippaerts’ H&M Extra, the Knights produced a flawless performance at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, repeating their win of 2018 in front of a sell-out crowd.
Flanked by members of the Household Cavalry mounted on their gleaming black chargers, and escorted by the crimson-coated Chelsea Pensioners, the top three teams entered the arena to rapturous applause – London Knights leading Valkenswaard United’s Marcus Ehning and Bertram Allen, and New York Empire’s Scott Brash and Denis Lynch taking third.
Speaking after their win, Olivier Philippaerts said: “I didn’t see the rest go, but I knew my horse well and took my time. It really worked out well today. It was amazing in front of a home crowd, so to pull it off was really amazing.”
Ben Maher spoke of the fantastic atmosphere in the arena: “[Explosion] was incredible again today. Olivier’s horse is not the fastest, so I knew I’d have to go around three or four seconds faster than everyone else. It’s amazing as last to go with this crowd. We’ve been working hard all season, and we’re hopefully gaining momentum. This location in the centre of London is amazing, the support the show’s getting is incredible and it’s great to see everyone coming back year on year.”
Alan Wade set a technical track with the colourful fences depicting many London icons. A London Underground treble was a tricky challenge for the world’s top horses and riders, and a Beefeater flanked oxer gave the equestrian stars something to look at, and a delicate Tennor vertical as well as a formidable Longines combination.
Here’s how the action unfolded…
Berlin Eagles
The Eagles opted for a rider change, bringing star striker Christian Kukuk off the bench with Limonchello NT in place of Malin Baryard-Johnsson. U25 rider Emil Hallundbaek brought back Chalisco, with the pair keen to improve on their 8 faults from yesterday. With a remarkable 8 teams on 8 faults, a single rail could make the difference of a huge number of places and completely mix up the order. The pair absolutely flew around the arena, but had a wobble down the final line, Hallundbaek almost unseated upon landing. They kept it together but the final fence fell, another 4 faults added to their score. Christian Kukuk was next to go, the blue-eyed stallion covering the ground in a slower tempo. They too had a moment in the final line, but managed to finish clear – the team would stay on 12 faults overall.
Scandinavian Vikings
Evelina Tovek kept her mount Winnetou de la Hamente Z for this round of competition, and the team tactics paid off, the duo delivering the much needed clear. Christian Ahlmann made a strategic horse change to his top stallion, the dapple grey Clintrexo Z powering around the arena and responding beautifully to Christian’s requests. They finished clear, with 8 faults this weekend.
Monaco Aces
The Aces also made a rider change, with Jos Verlooy stepping up for the team in place of Laura Kraut today. With his 11 year old gelding Igor, they attacked the course, but the Longines plank fell as Igor fought for his head, the team on a score of 12 so far. Julien Epaillard kept Queeletta for this round of action, but the middle element of the London Underground treble fell – the team would plummet behind the Eagles with their score of 16.
Shanghai Swans
?The Shanghai Swans fielded the same horse and rider combinations in the opening round. In first, Kim Emmen and Delvaux had a miscommunication just before crossing the start line, but then circled, regrouped and started confidently. Some clever riding kept the triple combination up despite Delvaux getting strong towards the end of the course. They remained clear, so it was up to Shane Sweetnam and Alejandro to try to replicate. They survived a rub at the triple to finish on four faults after the second part of the double, the penultimate fence, fell. The team finished on 12 penalties.
Doha Falcons
The Falcons too made no horse or rider change, with Michael Whitaker first to fly for the team with For Fun. They had a moment before the GCL oxer, rattling the top rail. But a fence fell, and they would pick up 4 faults. Jur Vrieling gave it his best shot with Davall, but they too had a pole – the team would fall to 20 faults and out of a chance of podium this weekend.
Madrid In Motion
Mark McAuley brought out his 10 year old bay gelding Valentino Tuiliere and the pair attacked the course at a phenomenal pace. A stretch too far over the London liverpool-lined oxer saw the back rail come down, with the team falling to 12 faults so far. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar also swapped to his top horse Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot, the 14 year old gelding always consistent in the crucial moments. The team was left on a total of 12.
Chantilly Pegasus
Roger Yves-Bost made a horse change, using Sangria Du Coty for the first time. They clipped the back rail of the London Olympic fence which tumbled, and when the vertical coming out of the double at the penultimate fence also fell, he was left on a disappointing 8. The team’s woes continued when Francois Jr Mathy and Uno De La Roque took out the third part of the triple, leaving the team languishing on 24 faults.
Paris Panthers
Harrie Smolders, the lynchpin of Paris Panthers, rode a beautifully judged clear round on Cas to give the team the best possible chance. The second rider, Darragh Kenny chose a speedy pace on Balou Du Reventon and then put his foot on the gas even more two thirds of the way through the course to record the fastest clear yet of 65.4 seconds. The team remained on 8 after the two classy clears and went to the top of the leaderboard.
Hamburg Giants
Simon Delestre was clearly riding with time in mind on Hermes Ryan, pushing the 14 year old gelding at all the right moments. Their clear in 66.21 left the team in touching distance of the top of the leaderboard, provided Mathilda Karlsson could conjure a clear from Chopin VA. Unfortunately the final fence fell, and the pair picked up a time fault as the rider shook her head. Their team total of 10 put them into third place provisionally.
New York Empire
Denis Lynch was first to go for the New York Empire, bringing back the high flying GC Chopin’s Bushi. With Georgina Bloomberg watching on from the kiss n’ cry, they delivered the clear, putting the pressure on the shoulders of teammate Scott Brash. He opted to ride top mare Hello M’Lady, the 13 year old horse flicking her tail over the fences. They delivered the clear for the team, with the arena erupting in applause. They stayed on 4 faults and took over the lead.
Miami Celtics
With Bruce Springsteen watching on, Jessica Springsteen was the first to take on the challenge for the Miami Celtics. The tricky penultimate combination came down for Springsteen and RMF Zecilie, and a time fault to add would see the team tumble to a score of 5 – crucially behind the New York Empire. Next to go Harry Charles brought back his top horse ABC Quantum Cruise, and they pulled a clear out of the bag, keeping the team on their score of 5.
St Tropez Pirates
Edwina Tops-Alexander piloted her 10 year old chestnut gelding Casquell and the pair looked on song until the final fence tumbled, the team dropping to a score of 4 faults. Pieter Devos brought out his top horse Claire Z, the strategic change a sign the Pirates meant business. They kept the pace steady, their tactics clearly to leave all the poles up, and they finished with no faults – but crucially slower than New York Empire.
Prague Lions
The Prague Lions jumped out of place after a thrown shoe in the warm up, but they didn’t start well as Marco Kutscher and Chades of Blue had an early pole. Niels Bruynseels rode Jenson van’t Meulenhof, the stallion scopey over the obstacles, and they produced the clear, the team finishing with 11 faults overall.
Valkenswaard United
Valkenswaard United made one of the biggest changes, with Bertram Allen brought off the bench for this round of action. First to go however was Marcus Ehning, who kept his ride of Cristy today. They rocketed around the arena, but the middle element of the London Underground treble came down – putting the team onto 4 faults and raising the pressure for Allen. With GK Casper, Allen knew only a speedy clear could keep them in with a chance of the win today. They kept cool heads under pressure, the pair delivering a blisteringly fast round to finish faster than New York Empire and take the provisional lead.
London Knights
Final team to go, the London Knights, were greeted to a roar from the crowd – all waving their flags and cheering the home city team. The hot favourites chose not to make any horse or rider changes, with Olivier Philippaerts first to go with H&M Extra. They kept a steady pace, and it paid off, the pair finishing clear much to the delight of the crowd, with Philippaerts punching the air in delight. Final rider Ben Maher had the weight of expectation on his shoulders, but looked calm and focused as he entered with the mighty 10 year old chestnut gelding Explosion W. They too kept a steady pace, with Maher carefully guiding his keen horse around the track. They crossed the finish line clear, the crowds roaring their approval as Maher brought home the win for the team – a carbon copy of their victory in 2018.
The Championship now looks to Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, for the 15th round of action in the race for supremecy.
Source: Longines Global Champions Tour
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