There was great expectation for the Longines Grand Prix, one of the most important competitions of the weekend, with full stands at Casas Novas that watched as Billy Twomey took home the win for Ireland.

Eight of the 41 riders in the CSI5* Grand Prix qualified for the jump-off with clear rounds, including Spain’s own Pilar Cordón and Manuel Fernández Saro.

In the jump-off Billy Twomey took advantage of his position as last to go, attacking from behind on the 13-year-old gelding Diaghilev (Vangelis S x Handstreich) to shave the time down to 38.38 seconds which was good enough for the win. The was the couple’s second five-star Grand Prix victory this season, as they already won the prestigious Longines King George V Gold Cup this summer.

Italy’s Alberto Zorzi and Fair Light van't Heike (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Darco), winners of the Longines FEI World Cup in Oslo, stopped the clock just a few tenths behind Twoemy at 38.64 seconds settling for the runner-up position.

The third place went to Austria’s Max Kühner with Cornet Kalua (Cornet Obolensky x Platin) with a time of 40.28 seconds. As for the Spanish, the best classified was Manuel Fernandez Saro who was fourth taking home the Tyco Trophy. 

Source: Press release from Oxer Sport // Picture © Manuel Queimadelos / Oxer Sport