Text © World of Showjumping
In Friday afternoon's CSI5* 1.50m Prix des Communes Genevoises at CHI Geneva, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and the 10-year-old mare Venice Beach (Voltaire x Escudo I) were the only pair pushing below the 30-second-mark, when finishing phase two of the competition in 29.97sec.
“Venice Beach is a great mare that I have been riding since June, and she is owned by Artemis Equestrian,” Pessoa said after his win. “She is a super competitive horse, and she is always in the prizes. She has her eyes everywhere and she wants to do her job. She is fantastic for the 1.50 meters and maybe a little bit more sometimes as she has a big heart.”
As many as 59 horse-and-rider combination had lined up for the class, and 15 of them went double clear. Second place went to Mark McAuley (IRL) with Miebello (Flyinge Quite Easy x Cardento), who was followed by the always fast Eric Lamaze (CAN) with Chacco Kid (Chacco-Blue x Come On). Two home riders took fourth and fifth place: Edouard Schmitz with Balenciana K (Balou du Rouet x Grosso Z) and Janika Sprunger with Little Magic d’Asschaut.