Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour, edited by World of Showjumping

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome delivered a day of pure magic in the Eternal City as sunshine bathed the historic Circus Maximus and a passionate full Italian crowd roared in delight through every round. Against this backdrop of ancient grandeur, history and horsepower collided in spectacular fashion, with Saturday’s CSI5* 1.50m jump-off class providing an electric afternoon of high drama.

The final standings saw Victor Bettendorf (LUX) on top with his 12-year-old gelding Doha de Riverland (Nabab de Reve x Quaprice Boimargot Quincy), followed closely by Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and L&L Lorde (Clyde LVB Z x Elan de la Cour) in second, and Germany’s Katrin Eckermann with Chao Lee (Comme Il Faut x Chacco-Blue) in third. Rounding out the top five were Simon Delestre (FRA) and Castanha van het Beeckhof Z (Comilfo Plus Z x Tsar Hero), and Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) aboard Elysium (VDL Zirocco Blue x Coronado).

“Rome is one of the most beautiful events in the world, and to win here again is a special memory,” a beaming Bettendorf said to GCTV. “The Circus Maximus has such a unique energy. I’m incredibly proud of Doha de Riverland and how he performed today.”