After the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva, Steve Guerdat, Simon Delestre and Eric Lamaze met the press – and it was a happy top three that shared their thoughts.
“The beginning of the jump-off was maybe not ideal for me and Nino, because there was a wall and then a Liverpool at the second oxer and that makes him really careful, so I was a little bit worried about these two fences,” said the winner Steve Guerdat. “But the distance came very good to number two, so maybe I did not leg him enough and that is why he had to do this special move in the air. He is a special horse, he is a genius and he was able to do it. I had to add a stride to number three because of that, but the rest of the jump-off went like we planned and I am just really happy with it.”
Steve seems to top his form for CHI Geneva again and again, and commented on his consistent results at the event. “This show is really important for me. I always plan towards it, as it is one of the main weekends of the year for me – it is not just another show. So, I try to plan it long in advance and come with fresh horses like it was a championship. I always try to bring my horses here in top form. The crowds always help me, and the luck the rest,” Guerdat said.
As to the victory being a turning point after a few rough months, Guerdat said; “It was hard for me to forget what happened these last months with the suspension. So the victory comes at the right time; it is a new start for me.”
Steve will now give Nino a break; “He is not going to do any major indoor shows for the rest of the year, maybe some smaller indoor shows to keep him in shape but he will not do anything big until the outdoor season 2016.”
Although beaten, Simon Delestre was not too disappointed: “I knew Steve could be very quick. It was a fantastic jump-off, and what is 0.03 seconds? There were also very quick riders after me so I was happy with the result.”
Eric Lamaze was humble and grateful to find himself in the top three. “For me, it’s like winning being here with Steve and Simon. This was an incredible jump-off,” said the Canadian rider. “For the last two months I have been at my home in Florida preparing the winter circuit for us so I have not been part of this international scene. I have been working on my golfing, which is very important for me,” he said laughing. “So, Paris was a preparation for Geneva. I was supposed to have two horses here, but Powerplay was not feeling well so Fine Lady had to do all the big classes. But, she has a lot of heart. Sometimes when you walk some of these courses these fences look too big for her to jump but she never gives up and she is very competitive. She is starting to show me that she can do some of the biggest classes.”
Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Dirk Caremans/www.hippofoto.be.