The stars were out in force for a show-stopping first round of GCL Cannes, as the spotlight shone on the Prague Lions duo of Ales Opatrny and Niels Bruynseels in the first floodlight class of the season. One of only two teams to jump double clear, the Lions took pole position, just ahead of Miami Celtics’ Jessica Springsteen and Cameron Hanley.
A thrilled Bruynseels said: “The horses both jumped good, and we did a good round so we’re in a good way! It was not as big today, but it was tricky. A lot can happen on Saturday with only two teams on the clear, but six or seven teams on four, so anything can happen.”
Under the night lights, Uliano Vezzani built a brilliantly technical course, as guests and VIPs walked the red carpet to witness the world’s best fight for supremacy in the City of Stars.
First to go double clear were the Miami Celtics, Jessica Springsteen blazing the way with RMF Swinny du Parc (Caspar x Laudanum) - the young American looking on strong form as teammate Cameron Hanley backed her up with another clear on Quirex (Quirado x Concept). The Celtics took over the leaderboard, with the rest of the world class teams yet to come.
The only other double clear of the day came from the Prague Lions, as Ales Opatrny with the eye-catching VDL Fakir (Indorado x Zadok) paved the way for Niels Bruynseels with Gancia de Muze (Malito de Reve x Nimmerdor) to put in a foot-perfect display - quicker than the Celtics to shoot them up to the top of the leaderboard ahead of Saturday.
Source: Press release from the GCL // Picture © GCL/Stefano Grasso