Richard Vogel & Gangster Montdesir. Gigi Badan (groom for Richard Vogel) was the winning groom of the AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex and also received a new YETI cooler bag. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko.
Press release from Spruce Meadows, edited by World of Showjumping
The AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex 1.60m, brought the Spruce Meadows 'Pan American', presented by Rolex to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday afternoon. Despite persistent rain, 31 horse-and-rider combinations passed through the iconic Clock Tower to take on FEI Course Designer Anderson Lima's (MEX) demanding Grand Prix track.
The course proved to be a true test of skill and precision, with faults spread throughout the track rather than concentrated at any one obstacle. By the end of the first round, only three combinations had managed to leave all the rails in place: New Zealand's Katie Laurie aboard Django II (Lordano x Brilliant Invader xx), Germany's Richard Vogel with Gangster Montdesir (Kannan GFE x Cornet Obolensky), and Czechia's Vaclav Stanek riding Quintin (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion).
Stanek's faultless effort, however, came with a heartbreaking twist. Crossing the finish line in 85.08 seconds, he incurred a single time fault—just 0.08 seconds over the allotted time—leaving him in the eventual third-place position and unable to advance to the jump-off.
Richard Vogel (GER) & Gangster Montdesir win Friends of the Meadows 1.50m. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko.
Laurie and Django II, winners of the Grand Prix at the 'Continental' earlier this summer, were first to return for the jump-off. An unfortunate rail opened the door for Vogel and Gangster Montdesir, who delivered a composed and fault-free performance. Stopping the clock in 52.74 seconds, the German pair secured victory in the AON Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, capping off an exceptional week of competition at Spruce Meadows.
Vaclav Stanek's remarkable first-round performance earned him the bronze position, while Laurie and Django II finished as runners-up.
This was Vogel’s third victory of the day, fourth of the ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex.
“The beginning of the week, his (Gangster Montdesir) first time entering the International Ring, he was quite impressed, but I’m even more happy how quick he developed and how good he was today.” Richard Vogel on his strong string of horses and how they’re adapting to Spruce Meadows.
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