The first week of the Autumn MET 2017 concluded on Sunday with a thrilling 30,000 Euro Grand Prix presented by Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort – with the victory going to Great Britain’s young talent Emily Moffitt.

Set in the huge grass ring right in front of The Club and Oceans Restaurant, the 1.45m course designed by German legend Frank Rothenberger counted 12 obstacles and 15 efforts for the first round in this CSI2* Grand Prix counting for the Longines Ranking.
 
Out of the 48 horse and rider combinations that had lined up for the class, a total of 14 pairs cleared the first round and made their way to the jump-off where the riders had plenty of options for short cuts in order to win time over the shortened track.
 
First to go was Emily Moffitt (GBR) on the 11-year-old gelding Galip (Nonstop x Feo), setting the time to beat to 47,17 seconds. The young British rider’s time would turn out to be unbeatable; those who tried to catch Moffitt paid the penalty with poles falling.
 
Marie Hecart (FRA) on the only 8-year-old mare Vahinee (Lauterbach x Darco) got closest to Moffitt’s time when going clear in 47,86 seconds to settle into runner-up position. Govett Triggol (RSA) on the 11-year-old mare Wolke 334 (Quinar x Acord II) also went clear, stopping the clock on 49,71 seconds to end third. Niklaus Schurtenberger (SUI) on the 13-year-old gelding Quasimodo VII (Quidam’s Rubin x Fuerstengold) took the fourth place with a clear round in 50,36 seconds. The fastest pair of the day, Harold Boisset (FRA) on the notoriously quick Quolita Z (Quasimodo Z x Ramiro), had to settle for fifth spot this time around as a pole went down at the very last fence. However, the French rider’s efforts were acknowledged with a huge applause from the audience who know Boisset’s winning ways well from previous editions of the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour.
 
The winner of day, 19-year-old Emily Moffitt, was of course happy: ”The course in the first round was difficult for me, because my horse has such a big stride – I just did what Ben (Maher) told me to do, which ended up being adding strides in a few places compared to what others did,” Moffitt detailed about her first round in the Grand Prix. “In the jump-off, I think the course designer set up really well and he gave us options. And some riders that chose to go inside to that one vertical, had a rail down or a stop. I actually thought about going inside, but I couldn’t do it – and it ended up in my favour,” Moffitt explained.
 
Thanking her horse, Moffitt added: “I haven’t had Galip for so long. We just decided to take a chance on him. He is very different from all of my other horses; he is really strong. But I absolutely love him! This is the first weekend I have gone faster on him and he is so quick. He has a huge heart and we just love him!"

About the facilities at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour Moffitt said: "Here the grass arena is so nice, and because they don’t put too many classes on it the footing stays really good and the ground overall is great. I am staying here for another week, and am really looking forward to it.”
 
“The course was really good – it was well built and nice to ride, and the footing is good,” commented runner-up Marie Hecart who was impressed by her horse Vahinee: “She is unbelievable, she is only eight. One year ago, she jumped her first 1.30m class so she has improved so much – I think she is unbelievably careful and is going to be able to jump big classes.”
 
“I did not try to go fast today, I only tried to follow her speed and it wasn’t that bad,” said Hecart about her jump-off. “The place here in Oliva is really nice, the footing is great and there are many arenas. It is super to have the grass arena, to have something different for the horses. I am here for two weeks but I am thinking about staying longer now, because I enjoy it so much!” concluded Hecart.
 
The Autumn MET resumes on Tuesday with the 5, 6 and 7-year-old horses in action as the second week of competition gets underway.