The Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour kicked off in style as Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) took a opening 1.45m win with Garlic v. Kapelhof (Tauber van het Kapelhof x Orlando) on Friday. Under gorgeous sunshine and set against the iconic backdrop of the China Art Palace, the world’s best horses and riders took to the ring for the first time during this three day festival of showjumping.
First to enter the ring was also first to go clear, as Alexandra Thornton (GBR) and Charielle (Chacco-Blue x Argentinus) set the pace for the rest of the 47 strong field. The clears came thick and fast, with Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Quatrin de la Roque LM (Quick Star x Kannan), Niels Bruynseels (BEL) and Himalaya van het Molenhof (Heartbreaker x Lenz), Harrie Smolders (NED) with Hos d’O (Dollar de la Pierre x Cumano) all early pace setters as the competition unfolded.
The turn back to the BMW oxer in the second phase caused a few problems - if riders took the sharp turn back too tight, the balance and rhythm was lost with poles rolling and faults collected.
Ben Maher (GBR) and It's Real Love v. Smis Z (C Indoctro x Liberato I) soon raised the bar, blistering around the second phase. The pair shaved off time coming into the penultimate combination, stopping the clock at 26.64s. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Chanel (Challan x Lordanos) quickly turned up the heat, with the pair taking off another second from Ben’s time to cross the finish line clear in 25.73s.
Clears came from Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) with Pegase du Murier (Adelfos x Le Tot de Semilly), Marcus Ehning (GER) with Calanda (Calido I x Chasseur) , Philip Houston (GER) with Kannella (Kannan x Quick Star) and Andreas Kreuzer (GER) with Zerafina (Sheraton x Numero Uno), making a total of 21 on zero faults. But it was Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) with the speedy Garlic v. Kapelhof who stole the show, blistering to the win in 25.48s.
Source: Press release from LGCT // Picture © Stefano Grasso/LGCT