Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR) and Kimosa van het Kritrahof (Chatman x Eros Platiere) won Thursday's CSIO5* 1.50m class against the clock presented by ENI as the 90th edition of CSIO Rome – Piazza di Siena kicked off in Rome, Italy.
67 horse-and-rider combinations had lined up for the class, that got an unexpected break half-way due to thunder and heavy rain. Despite the weather conditions, 22 combinations cleared the course and fastest of them all was Hall McAteer who crossed the finish line in 64.52 seconds prior to the break. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Dhalida Diamant Vd Krekebeke Z (Diamant de Semilly x Calvaro Z) stopped the clock at 66.14 seconds, settling in for the runner-up position.
Ben Maher (GBR) and Exit Remo (San Remo x Ferro) followed in third place ahead of Gerfried Puck (AUT) and Equitron Melody Vd Smidshoeve (Epleaser van’t Heike x Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve) in fourth, while Omer Karaevli (TUR) finished fifth aboard Maurice (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Eros Platiere).
“This has been a great start to the show for me and I’m delighted!” Hall McAteer said in a press release from CSIO Rome. “I’ve had this mare three years and she’s a super horse, she’s really brave and competitive and she knows her job now and she’s been amazing for me. She has jumped 1.60m before but she’s not a Peppa! For these classes and to be a second horse for him she is super.”
Earlier in the day, Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Dubai de Soie (Quaoukoura du TY x Heartbreaker) won the 1.45m class with two phases presented by MAG. The second place went to Francesco Correddu (ITA) and Necofix (Eco Del Castegno x Avenir), then third place to Graziano Tazzi (ITA) and Mash Ipei (Contendro x Baldini).
“I had already won five competitions in Rome, but only at the Global Champions Tour, first at the Foro Italico and then at the Circus Maximus. Dubai de Soie produced a good performance today which is also important considering tomorrow's Nations Cup,” Epaillard said.