Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

On the final afternoon of world-class level showjumping in Valkenswaard, Yuri Mansur of Brazil secured the top podium position in the CSI5* 1.55m competition aboard Vitiki (Valentino 240 x For Expo). 

The duo thrilled the crowds with an impressive jump-off against the clock, putting them in pole position and winning the final 5* competition at the world-class Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard.

Full of praise for his fantastic horse jumping on the spectacular facility and grass arena, Yuri commented: "This grass is for sure the best grass in the world, its unbelievable. If you imagine that we had six events here before, and the grass is still like this... It's amazing to have this opportunity to ride on this grass." 

The courses set by Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani asked all the right questions in all the right places, with eight horse-and-rider combinations qualifying for the second round and jump-off, and five jumping a double clear round – finishing the class faultless. 

With crowded stands, local and international spectators alike were on the edge of their seats as an impressive line-up of horse-and-rider combinations took to the arena for the jump-off. Securing the win by just 0.25 seconds from Ireland's Bertram Allen and Empoli de Champloue (Arko x Diamant de Semilly), Mansur and Vitiki impressed all with their calm yet lightning-fast round. 

Referencing his win, Yuri commented on Vitiki's form going into the class: "It is super to finalise the week like this, with Vitiki it's always a bigger pleasure for me because of his past every time we have a good result I enjoy it even more."

The podium was rounded out by Allen in second, and leading Egyptian rider Nayel Nasser aboard Jiminy Cricket (Colestus x Cornet Obolensky) in third with a time of 36.95 seconds – just 0.33 seconds behind the leader. Germany's Hans Dieter-Dreher and Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten were the last of the clear rounds, putting them into fourth and fifth place. 

The Longines Global Champions Tour race moves to Rome, Italy into the spectacular Circus Maximus for the thirteenth leg of the ever-exciting season in 2022 next week.