Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

For the second time in his career, Roger Yves Bost (FRA) claimed the win in the prestigious Copa S.M El Rey, presented by Caser Grupo Helvetia, at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid, Spain. This was the 48th edition the Copa S.M El Rey, which the French rider also won in 2015. 

Aboard Ballerine du Vilpion (Baloubet du Rouet x Quidam de Revel), Bosty didn’t hold back in the jump-off between 13 horse-and-rider combinations – securing the win in this CSI5* 1.50m class when stopping the clock a staggering 1.34 seconds ahead of his closest rival Katrin Eckermann (GER) riding Chao Lee (Comme Il Faut x Chacco-Blue). 

“It’s amazing to be back here in Madrid, and to win the Copa S.M El Rey, I am very happy," Bosty said. "I won here nine years ago, and to win with this crowd is just so good. My mare was just unbelievable today, she was so fast, I’m very lucky.” 

Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Don Vito (Quaprice Bois Margot x Jus de Pomme) placed third in 38.44, followed by Pieter Devos (BEL) and Casual Dv Z (Cornet Obolensky x Cicero Z) in fourth in 39.13 and Jérôme Guery (BEL) aboard Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo) in fifth in 39.52. 

The second CSI5* class of the day, the 1.45m Grupo Eulen Trophy, went to Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Glamour Girl (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caletto I) ahead of Marco Kutscher (GER) and Outrageous Charmer (Presley Boy x Cumano BD) in second and Olivier Robert (FRA) aboard Espri du Figuier Aa (Upsilon x Ryon d'Anzex) in third.