Text © World of Showjumping

Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the 10-year-old mare Like A Diamond van het Schaeck (Diamant de Semilly x Bamako de Muze) were the best in Saturday’s CSIO5* 1.50m Queen’s Cup Segura Viudas Trophy at CSIO Barcelona. 

Sixteen of the 68 horse-and-rider combinations in the class moved on to the second round against the clock – two of them on a time-fault, the rest on a clean sheet. Coming in half-way into round two, Modolo Zanotelli set off with determination – and crossing the finish line, the clock stopped at an incredible 40.67 seconds. A new time to beat was set, and with his daring performance Modolo Zanotelli pushed French rider Olivier Robert out of his leading position with Vivaldi des Meneaux (Chippendale Z x Bamako) – shaving off a full second. 

Two riders later, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann entered the ring with the 9-year-old Hollywood V (Mylord Carthago *HN x Casall), but even he could not catch up with Zanotelli – slotting into second place with a time of 41.21 and pushing Robert down to third. 

The remaining three riders could not catch up with the trio on top. Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels finished fourth with Gancia de Muze (Malito de Reve x Nimmerdor) after a double clear round, and Great Britain’s Harry Charles fifth with Borsato (Contendro I x Nijinski). 

“Like A Diamond van het Schaeck is naturally quick, and very careful so she can easily go fast,” Modolo Zanotelli said. “I was in the middle of the second round, so I also got the opportunity to see what the others did and how many strides they chose to do. Before I went in, Pedro Veniss came to me and told me that he thought a few of the riders wasted a bit time from the oxer to the Liverpool and he told me it was possible to go faster there which I tried to do. Today, it all worked out.”

“I have known the mare for a long time, and she has been fantastic since she was an 8-year-old – showing a lot of quality,” Modolo Zanotelli continued. “She is owned by Ashford Farm and Jos Lansink, and earlier this year I got the opportunity to ride her. Recently, she finished second in the CSI4* Grand Prix at Sentower Park and in Rome she made her five-star Grand Prix debut. I really believe in her; she is very competitive and consistent with a lot of blood and quality. She is simply a fabulous horse!”

“It’s fantastic to win such a traditional class as the Queen’s Cup, with a prestigious trophy,” Modolo Zanotelli smiled. “I also won the King’s Cup in Madrid this year, which made this victory all the more special.”