Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

First to go in round one, first to go in the jump-off and first overall: Simon Delestre (FRA) and the 10-year-old gelding I Amelusina R 51 (Dexter R x Chin Chin) took the top honours in the historic 47th CSI5* 1.50m Copa El Rey presented by Caser Group Helvetia on the penultimate day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid.

With a four-man jump-off, the fully packed Club de Campo Villa de Madrid was left on the edge-of-their-seats and the crowd erupted as Delestre crossed the finish line in 38.46 seconds. Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) and the 9-year-old Pegasus Jataki (Jamal vd Heffinck x Waitaki) had to settle for second place with a time of 39.94 seconds, while Christian Kukuk (GER) and his new mount Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte) rounded off the podium after clocking a time of 40.15. Home rider Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP) finished fourth with Jarlin de Torres (Jarnac x Calvaro F.C), after collecting four faults in the jump-off. 

A delighted Simon Delestre smiled: “The atmosphere was incredible. We had a really amazing first round but I did not expect there to only be four clear rounds. Going first with only four riders I had to try everything I could. He has a massive canter, so I had one less from [fences] 1 to 2, then I was fast enough – I am really proud of him.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow's Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid, Delestre has his eyes on the prize: “Tomorrow is a different story, I am going to ride Cayman Jolly Jumper, who won yesterday. So, my horses are in super shape this weekend, and I hope this will continue tomorrow.”

The Copa El Rey is a key event in the Spanish equestrian calendar, named after King Alfonso XIII, who was a passionate horseman and a great supporter of equestrian sports. Over the years, the King’s Cup has been won by many of the greatest riders in the history of the sport and now Simon Delestre adds his name to the list. Some of the most famous names to have lifted the trophy include Nelson Pessoa, Rodrigo Pessoa, John Whitaker, and Ludger Beerbaum.

All eyes now look ahead to the LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid, set to take to the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid grass arena tomorrow, Sunday 14 May, at 4:45pm CET.