The Autumn MET 2017 continued this week at Oliva Nova Equestrian Centre, and concluded with Sunday’s 30,000 Euro Grand Prix. The Trofeo CHG – Construcciones Hispano Germanas – once again saw a British rider on top as Matthew Sampson (GBR) on the 11-year-old mare Gloria van Zuuthoeve (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Glorieux) took home another win. “My horse has been wonderful here in Oliva Nova,” Matthew said after his big victory. “She won another big jump-off class last weekend.”

The 1.45m course set by Werner Deeg (GER) counted 13 obstacles and 16 efforts, in a time allowed of 80 seconds. A total of 15 horse-and-rider combinations, out of the 72 that lined up for the class, cleared their way to the jump-off over a shortened, eight fence-track.

In the jump-off, Sampson and Gloria van Zuuthoeve went out and set the standard early on with their time of 43,77 seconds – which turned out to be unbeatable in the end. Cassandra Orschel (POL), who also has had a successful time at the Autumn MET, got the closest to the young Brit. Riding the 11-year-old mare Acanthya (Adlantico AS x Argentinus), Orschel took the runner-up position with a time of 45,36 seconds. Amy Inglis (GBR) on the 9-year-old mare Wishes (Guidam x Wellington) placed third with a time of 47,78 seconds, while Daniel Neilson (GBR) on the 9-year-old gelding Major Delacour (Ksar-Sitte x Leopard) took the fourth place with a time of 48,35 seconds. The fifth spot went to David McPherson (GBR) on the 8-year-old stallion Camall (Casall x Capitol I), after the pair recorded a time of 49,28 seconds – putting four British riders in the top five. 

“I have been riding my horse Gloria for a year now,” Matthew told about his winning mount. “The plan is to try and keep her, and to try getting into some bigger shows. She has done a fantastic job here at the Autumn MET. She has a huge stride, and the way the course was built really suited us today.”

Matthew has been to Oliva Nova several times before. “I think this place is fantastic,” he said. “It is a huge credit to everyone involved, that the venue seems to improve all the time.”

Matthew will surely keep trying to continue his winning ways also for the next week to come, but said the plan is not yet made. “I think I will ride another horse in the Grand Prix next Sunday,” he concluded.

The 2017 Autumn MET now enters its last week of competition, before it closes off next Sunday 12th of November. 

Source: Press release from Mediterranean Equestrian Tour // Picture © Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com