It was a spell-binding performance on the opening day of Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome as Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli and the 10-year-old mare Celena VDL (Mr. Blue x Chin Chin) stormed to a spectacular win.
A delighted Zanotelli praised his horse: “This mare is unbelievable - I must thank my whole team at home and the VDL stud who give me the opportunity to ride this special horse. She’s so clever and so careful - she fights and gives everything in the ring. She won her last CSI5* class in Valkenswaard, and now she wins her first class here so I’m really happy.”
First to go in the competition, Zanotelli had the tough task of laying down the gauntlet for the rest of the world-class field yet to come. "It’s not easy going first, but I made my plan and it worked out. I didn’t think I’d win, but I did a clean round, putting the pressure on the others.”
Fending off Leopold van Asten (NED) with VDL Groep Miss Untouchable (Chacco-Blue x Aldatus), who took second, and Julien Epaillard (FRA) with Usual Suspect d’Auge (Jarnac x Papillon Rouge), who took third, Zanotelli beat the seven rider jump-off to finish as one of only two double clears.
Source: Press release from LGCT / Photo (c) Stefano Grasso/LGCT.