Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016: Dream Victory For Staut And Reveur At Last Longines Leg In Bordeaux

Kevin Staut pinned French compatriot, Simon Delestre, into runner-up spot at the nail-biting last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2015 Western European League in Bordeaux (FRA) tonight. It was Staut’s first major victory for some time, and it was achieved by a brilliant performance from the 35-year-old rider and his 15-year-old gelding Reveur de Hurtebise HDC who brought the packed stadium of spectators to their feet.

With 17 through to the jump-off, and huge tension in the air as riders battled it out for the last few qualifying spots still up for grabs for next month’s Longines Final in Gothenburg (SWE), this was never going to be an easy one to win. And the man who currently ranks 14th in the world was keen to firmly secure his place at the Swedish fixture.

“I felt I needed a few more points but normally I’m not really fast with this horse, and the last time we won a 5-Star Grand Prix was in Monte Carlo five years ago! But he has been fantastic here in Bordeaux and everything went great for us in the jump-off” said Staut, who added that tonight’s victory is a real confidence-booster for the remainder of this Olympic year.

Surprise exit

Pius Schwizer and PSG Future, winners at the penultimate leg of the series on home ground in Zurich (SUI) last Sunday, made a surprise exit from the competition following a mistake at the first element of the influential triple combination, fence six in the first round. But 17 took on the jump-off course designed by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, and it was as clever as it gets, with control, balance, pace and accuracy all put to the ultimate test.

Starting out over a big oxer, most rode a seven-stride pattern to the following oxer before turning left-handed to yet another which was formerly the second obstacle on the track. And Britain’s Laura Renwick snatched the early lead with Bintang ll when turning sharp right-handed to the fourth jump on this course, the vertical at fence eight which was followed by the tricky double, oxer-to-vertical, at nine. Turning right again horses needed to angle the next oxer, fence 10, before taking a long run to the vertical at 12 and finally making another long gallop to the closing Longines oxer. Second against the clock, Renwick set the target in 42.35 seconds, and although this was clearly a beatable time it was always going to be competitive.

Smoothest of rides

Three horses later, three-time FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Marcus Ehning went out in front when bringing the spectacular grey stallion, Cornado NRW, home in 41.97 seconds with the smoothest of rides. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star slotted in behind the German with a lovely tour in 42.03 when seventh into the ring, but both were overtaken by a great round from Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander who never broke the rhythm with Caretina de Joter to cruise into temporary runner-up position in 40.90 seconds when next to go. However Staut really raised the bar, and almost lifted the roof off the Bordeaux stadium, when galloping home with the clock showing 39.86 seconds to take the lead.

His partner and team-mate, Penelope Leprevost, looked set to oust him when taking a stride out between the first two fences with Vagabond de Pomme. But fence 10 hit the floor for four faults, so the darling of the French crowd had to settle for eighth place in the final analysis despite producing the fastest jump-off time of 39.30.

There were just three left to run now, including two more from the host nation, and Patrice Delaveau and Lacrimoso looked set to rejig the leaderboard until clipping the penultimate vertical in 39.89 seconds. Dutch star, Mikael van der Vleuten, took a more cautious tour with the ever-reliable VDL Group Verdi to post a clear in 44.11 seconds when second-last into the ring, but Staut’s biggest threat was last man Delestre who, like Leprevost, rode six strides between the first two fences but who seemed to run a little wide on the turn that followed. The French rider who currently holds the no. 2 spot in the Longines rankings and who is seriously threatening world no 1, Britain’s Scott Brash, left all the timber intact but had to settle for runner-up spot when stopping the timers in 40.74 seconds with Qlassic Bois Margot.

Slightest error

“When there are so many in the jump-off you are quickly knocked out by the slightest error” Delestre pointed out at the post competition press conference. Individual bronze medallist at the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) last summer he has, however, finished second on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League, behind Germany’s Christian Ahlmann in pole position, and has the Gothenburg Final clearly in his sights.

As does tonight’s winner Staut, who reflected on his victory. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve been at a press conference I was beginning to forget what it is like! And it has been a long time since I have won anything big, 2015 was not a good year for me”, he pointed out.

Kevin Staut and Reveur de Hurtebise HDC won the nail-biting last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2015 Western European League on home ground in Bordeaux (FRA) tonight. (FEI/Eric Knoll)

Officially retired

His brilliant mare, Silvana, will be officially retired in Bordeaux on Sunday and her retirement marks a turning point for the French rider. “I have had many good wins in my career including the World Cup here in Bordeaux four years ago with Silvana, but now she is out of competition and it’s all a new deal for me. This win is a good thing for the Olympic season though, and I’m delighted for my horse (Reveur de Hurtebise), he is 15 years old but we make a good team together, we have a strong connection”, he said. Reveur will enjoy a two-month break now, and Staut is looking at his options of other horses for the Longines Final. “It will be either For Joy or Qurack, I’m not sure yet”, he said tonight.

Staut also talked with some emotion about what Silvana’s retirement means to him. “She had a great season last year and we decided not to do another one, she has done so much for me and we have so much respect for her – the time seems right just now”, he said. But the great 17-year-old grey mare will still be very much part of his life. “She stays in my stable and I will still ride her every day. It will be difficult to find another horse who could take her place in my heart. She can now look forward to a quiet life and a quiet home, and we will have many more happy days ahead of us!” he added.

For further information on the eleventh and last qualifying leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League Leipzig (GER) visit http://www.jumping-bordeaux.com

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) from 23 to 28 March. For details of the Swedish fixture check out http://www.gothenburghorseshow.com

Results:

1, Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/0 39.86;

2, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 40.74;

3, Caretina de Joter (Edwina Tops-Alexander) AUS 0/0 40.90;

4, Cornado NRW (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 41.97;

5, All Star 5 (Denis Lynch) IRL 0/0 42.03;

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016-Lightning-Fast Leprevost Wins Again In Lyon

The fast and fearless French partnership of Penelope Leprevost and Flora de Mariposa scorched to their second victory of the 2015/2016 season at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League qualifier in Lyon, France this afternoon.

From a formidable 40-strong start-list, just seven found the key to Frank Rothenberger’s first-round track, and the result was clinched by a breathtaking run from the 35-year-old Frenchwoman and her fabulous 10-year-old mare who also topped the line-up at the opening round of the series in Oslo (NOR) two weeks ago. They pinned the dynamic German duo of Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z into runner-up spot today, while last weekend’s winners in Helsinki (FIN), Switzerland’s Romain Duguet and Quorida de Treho, had to settle for third place this time out.

There were three host-nation contenders in the closing stages, and it was the less-well-known Julien Gonin (Soleil de Cornu CH) who slotted into fourth spot ahead of fellow-countryman Simon Delestre (Qlassic Bois Margot) in fifth. Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Casall ASK) and Douglas Lindelow (Casello) lined up sixth and seventh in the final rankings.

Vintage Rothenberger

The first-round track was vintage Rothenberger, and it was clear from the outset that fault-free performances would not easily be achieved. Big and bold from start to finish, it included a difficult line from an oxer at fence six to a double of maximum-height verticals at seven and another big oxer at fence eight. And that was quickly followed by a right-hand turn to the testing triple combination – oxer, vertical, oxer – at nine.

A total of 13 horse-and-rider combinations faulted at the double which would play a role right to the end of the competition. Adding extra pressure in the first round was a tight time-allowed of 70 seconds, and both Frenchman Jerome Hurel (Quartz Rouge) and Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano (Casper) were unlucky when missing out on a slot in the jump-off with just a single time fault apiece.

Intriguing

Rothenberger’s jump-off track was also intriguing, making a figure-of-eight with a circle at the centre of it and with the dreaded double of verticals still in place.

Sweden’s Lindelow led off with a mistake from his leggy chestnut, Casello, at the bogey first element of the double, so it was last weekend’s winner, Romain Duguet, who established the early target when home and clear with Quorida de Treho in 42.27 seconds. This was always going to be a strong time, and when Gonin broke the beam more than five seconds slower then the Swiss rider was still way out in front.

Gonin – 220th in the current Longines rankings – was hugely impressive however, qualifying for the jump-off when so many of the major stars failed to do so and leaving the difficult jump-off track intact once again with his nine-year-old bay gelding. A friend of Show Director Sylvie Robert and a long-time pupil of French horseman par excellence, Michel Robert, the 33-year-old who won individual bronze at the FEI Mediterranean Games in Italy in 2009 lives near Lyon, and he had plenty of support in the arena today.

Fellow-Frenchman, 2015 European individual bronze medallist Simon Delestre, was well up on the clock with Qlassic Bois Margot when also falling foul of the first element of the double, but Germany’s Ahlmann cut clean through the course with his fantastic and faithful servant, the 15-year-old stallion Taloubet Z, to cross the line in 41.27 and go well out in front and really put it up to the final two contenders.

Didn’t flinch

Leprevost didn’t flinch, however, setting off at a ferocious pace and never faltering for even a moment. “Flora jumped as if she knew where the next fence was!” said the Frenchwoman afterwards, and that was exactly how it seemed, the pair scorching in with the clock showing 40.64 seconds for the new lead. And when Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s 16-year-old Casall ASK hit the third fence it was all done and dusted.

Winning one leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League is no mean feat, so a second victory is all the sweeter. Leprevost put it all down to her brilliant horse. “She is one of the best mares in the world, she is so brave and clever – she’s very, very special! I saw Romain go and also Christian and they were so fast that I didn’t know if I could be faster. But Flora is very, very quick – she’s just amazing!”, she added.

Asked if she had a clear plan in her head going into the jump-off, Leprevost explained, “I plan a lot of things, but I know I can change my plan if something goes wrong”.

Ups and downs

Having achieved so much so early in the season, and already looking set for a place at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next March, the winning rider was asked if she would find herself a little bored over the rest of the winter months. “No!” she replied, “I have had three wins in two weeks because I also won the Longines Grand Prix here at Lyon on Friday, but I have had plenty of ups and downs in the past – I’m just delighted that at last the ups are coming along!”

And she is far from finished with her Longines 2015/2016 qualification campaign, because she will be back in the ring next Sunday at Verona (ITA) for the fourth leg of the Western European League. She will bring the horse with which she finished second at the 2015 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas (USA) last April, Vagabond de la Pomme, to the Italian fixture.

For further information on the third leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League series at Lyon, France, visit http://www.equitalyon.com

The fourth leg will take place in Verona, Italy on Sunday 8 November.

Three happy ladies – winner of today’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League leg at Lyon (FRA), French rider Penelope Leprevost, her fabulous mare Flora de Mariposa and Caroline Scrivener, Press Attaché Longines France. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

Result: 1, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 0/0 40.64;

2, Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 41.27;

3, Quorida de Treho (Romain Duguet) SUI 0/0 42.27;

4, Soleil de Cornu CH (Julien Gonin) FRA 0/0 47.53;

5, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/4 41.65;

6, Casall ASK (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) SWE 0/4 42.93;

7, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/4 43.63;

8, Quartz Rouge (Jerome Hurel) FRA 1/70.66;

9, Caspar (Emanuele Gaudiano) ITA 1/71.48;

10, Eldorado van het Vijverhof (Gregory Wathelet) BEL 4/66.13.

Louise Parkes

Leprevost leads French cavalry-charge at first Longines leg in Oslo

French riders ran rampant at the opening leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League in Oslo, Norway today where Penelope Leprevost came out on top with Flora de Mariposa. In a thrilling 15-horse jump-off, the 35-year-old rider and her fabulous 10-year-old mare pinned her French counterparts, Simon Delestre and Patrice Delaveau, into second and third places, while Kevin Staut also carried the French flag into fifth spot behind Germany’s Marcus Ehning.

A super-star start-list guaranteed a great day of sport. A total of 39 horse-and-rider combinations from 21 nations were in action, and as Show Director, Morten Aasen, said this evening “when the entries were coming in, we had 16 of the top 20 riders in the Longines rankings, so it was like a dream come true! Having such a great line-up was like having a European Championship here – but it turned into a French Championship in the end!”

All the hallmarks

The 13-fence first course carried all the hallmarks of its creator, Germany’s Frank Rothenberger, with no allowance made for the fact that this was the first serious indoor test of the season for many. Big, bold oxers and a demanding triple combination of a double of oxers followed by a vertical stretched them all the way. One of the bogeys of the class however was the narrow, but wide, oxer at fence two which put paid to many chances, while the triple bar at fence eight produced some moments of high drama.

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann almost parted company with Cantinero when the pair paddled through the poles here, and, with just five horses left to go, World No 1, Great Britain’s Scott Brash also ran into trouble when meeting this on a wrong stride with Hello Sanctos. Despite concerns about just how tough it might be during the coursewalk however, “the course turned out easier than we expected” according to Leprevost.

First clear

Ireland’s Billy Twomey led the way into the jump-off with the veteran Tinka’s Serenade who collected 12 faults, and it was Ehning who produced the first clear when fourth to run with Comme Il Faut. Once the French got going however it was all about them, Delestre scorching home with the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot in 43.38 seconds to really put it up to the rest of the field, and his fellow-countryman, Delaveau, only 0.12 seconds slower to slot into temporary second place.

Try as they would, none of the rest could touch Delestre’s target-time until Leprevost set sail. She had a clear plan, and she stuck to it. “In the jump-off, most of the other riders took an inside line (around fence 13) to the double, but I went outside because I didn’t want to break the rhythm for Flora, who is anyway always fast – I think maybe that’s what made the difference” she explained. The decision paid off handsomely, with the clock showing just 43.01 seconds, an advantage of 0.37 seconds over her French rival, as she galloped through the timers.

A good surprise

“To win today was a good surprise!” Leprevost said afterwards. “It was the first indoor of the season for Flora, she is a super mare but I didn’t know if she would be perfect indoors just yet, but she was very good”. She now plans to compete in both the third Western European League leg on home turf in Lyon, France in two weeks’ time and at the fourth leg in Verona, Italy at the beginning of November.

Delestre wasn’t unhappy about having to settle for runner-up spot today. “I gave it all to the very last fence, and I could do no more. My horse has a big stride so I decided to take the inside line in the jump-off, and even if I had it all to do again I would do the same!” he said. Talking about the battle that ensued between himself and his fellow French riders, he pointed out that while they have a good team spirit, there was no love lost in trying to collect those all-important maximum qualifying points for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden next March.

“We are a good team and we like to help each other – it’s a great pleasure to compete together. But we have three fast horses, and when it comes to the jump-off we like to play the game!”, he said.

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League now moves on to Helsinki, Finland on Sunday 25 October.

For further information on the first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League series at Oslo, Norway visit website http://www.oslohorseshow.com

The second leg of the series will take place in Helsinki, Finland on Sunday 25 October 2015. For all information on the Finnish fixture go to website http://www.helsinkihorseshow.fi/

French rider, Penelope Leprevost, pictured with Morten Thormodsen, Brand Manager Longines Norway, after winning today’s first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League at Oslo (NOR) riding Flora de Mariposa. (FEI/Mette Sattrup)

Result:

1, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 0/0 43.01;

2, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 43.36;

3, Lacrimoso 3 HDC (Patrice Delaveau) FRA 0/0 43.48;

4, Comme Il Faut (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 44.08;

5, Reveue de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/0 44.50;

6, VDL Groep Arera C (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/0 49.17;

7, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) SUI 0/0 54.02;

8, Don VHP Z (Harrie Smolders) NED 0/4 44.07;

9, Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (Eduardo Alvarez Aznar) ESP 0/4 45.87;

10, Embassy ll (Hans-Dieter Dreher) GER 0/4 46.23;

11, VDL Zirocco Blue NOP (Jur Vrieling) NED 0/4 48.02;

12, Nino des Buissonnets (Steve Guerdat) SUI 0/4 50.34;

13, Vienna Olympic (Shk. Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani) QAT 0/4 55.09;

14, Utamaro d’Escuassines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/8 49.87;

15, Tinka’s Serenade (Billy Twomey) IRL 0/12.

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 – Round 8, Mechelen, Qlassic Victory For Delestre At Longines Leg

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014:2015

Simon Delestre produced a devastating turn of speed from the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot to clinch victory at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014 Western European League at Mechelen, Belgium today. Last to go in an intriguing nine-horse jump-off, the 33-year-old Frenchman shattered the early target set by Britain’s Joe Clee to scoop maximum points and set himself firmly on the path to the series Final in Las Vegas, USA next April.

The first-round course set by Belgian course designer, Lucien Somers, presented a tough test for the 39 starters, with the double at fence seven and the triple combination at fence 12 proving particularly influential. “The triple was very difficult – the double of oxers with one stride followed by a vertical at the end of the course meant you needed a fit horse with a lot of scope today” Delestre commented afterwards.

First to go

Clee really threw down the gauntlet when first to go in the jump-off with the 10-year-old stallion Utamaro d’Ecaussines who gave it everything he had to set a strong target in 32.42 seconds. And the 36-year-old rider who is married to the youngest daughter of the late Eric Wauters, in whose memory the popular Belgian fixture is staged, then had to stand back and watch the rest try to better that.

America’s Lucy Davis and Barron lost their chance at the very first fence, but Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow left all the timber intact when steering Casello home in 35.07, and he wouldn’t regret being a little cautious when this eventually proved good enough for third place.

The packed stadium of spectators gasped with dismay when the first of the two Belgian contenders, Judy-Ann Melchior and her grey mare Cold as Ice Z, also fell foul of the opening vertical, but they were gripping their seats with excitement as Jos Verlooy galloped down to the last well up on the clock with the 11-year-old gelding Domino. One of the new wave of super-talented young Belgians blazing a trail on the international circuit right now, the rider who turned 19 just two weeks ago decided to take a stride out to the final oxer however and paid the price as it came crashing down for four faults in 34.60 seconds. He couldn’t forgive himself afterwards. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m so disappointed. I will never get the chance to win a competition like this again!” he insisted, but of course a young man of his calibre has a great future ahead of him.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen steered Molly Malone to victory in his first-ever Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier at the fourth leg of the 2014/2015 Western European League series in Verona, Italy today. (FEI/Stefano Secci)

Could be beaten

He had shown that Clee’s target time could be beaten, and although French stars Kevin Staut (Qurack de Falaise HDC) and Roger Yves Bost (Nippon d’Elle) each left a fence on the floor, and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann played the percentage game with a safe but slow clear from Cornado ll which would earn them fourth place in the final analysis, Delestre and his black stallion never looked like they were ready to compromise.

The precision of their opening round suggested they are a pair right on form, and when the Frenchman asked for a colossal effort at the last, the horse never flinched, galloping through the timers more than two seconds faster than Clee to put the result beyond doubt.

Tried to do my best

“I thought Joe was very quick and I wasn’t sure I could do a better time but I tried my best without going crazy. It was a good jump-off track for my horse, we could take one stride out in every line and he’s always very quick, but I was sure to be careful because twice before in the qualifiers this season I have been really fast but picked up four faults!” said Delestre afterwards.

The pair have had a busy and super-successful year, with the team silver medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy followed by a second-place finish at the Global Champions Tour in Vienna, fifth at the Longines qualifier in Lyon (FRA) and 12th at Stuttgart “and now we won – I’m really so happy with him!” Delestre said of his horse. “He will do Basel (SUI) and Bordeaux (FRA) and then go breeding for seven weeks. Last year he covered about 300 mares, he is a great stallion for the French mares with a fantastic bloodline” he added.

The French partnership of Simon Delestre and the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot produced a devastating turn of speed to win today’s eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League at Mechelen in Belgium. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Very special

Talking about his stallion he continued “Qlassic is special in many ways, he’s full of energy, but not stupid energy, and he’s usually very careful. He can be sensitive sometimes if things are not going well, but we understand each other. He’s best when he’s been jumping over a few days. On Thursday we jumped a class, and then we went in a jump-off but we went slowly. He needs a few times in the ring to be happy, and today he was really ready!” he added.

With 37 points the Frenchman has now moved up to eighth place on the Western European league leaderboard and is already planning his trip to the Longines Final. However he’s not sure which horse he will take. “I will think about it closer to the time. It’s a very small ring there for a horse like Qlassic, so I might take Ryan (Ryan des Hayettes) instead” he pointed out this evening.

The next leg takes place in Leipzig, Germany on Sunday 18 January 2015.

Result:

1, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 32.42;

2, Utamaro d’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/0 34.93;

3, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/0 35.07;

4, Cornado ll (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 39.53;

5, Barron (Lucy Davis) USA 0/4 32.88;

6, Qurack de Falaise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/4 33.91;

7, Domino (Jos Verlooy) BEL 0/4 34.60;

8, Nippon d’Elle (Roger Yves Bost) FRA 0/4 34.82;

9, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) BEL 0/4 35.64.

Facts and Figures:

Mechelen in Belgium presented Round 8 of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League today.

This is the 34th edition of the fixture created by the late Eric Wauters whose family continue to be deeply involved in the staging of the event.

9 horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the second-round jump-off against the clock including two from both Belgium and France.

4 produced double-clear performances.

Course designer was Belgium’s Lucien Somers.

Winner was 33-year-old Frenchman Simon Delestre partnering Qlassic Bois Margot, the 10-year-old stallion with which he helped the host nation claim team silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.

Quotes:

Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow who took the Leading Rider of the Show award – “the oxers were quite big but they suited the capacity of my horse. The short distances were difficult for him in the first round but he was great in the jump-off. Sweden only has two places at the (Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping) Final so I am hoping for more invitations to the qualifiers so that I can get to Las Vegas. I’m the leading Swedish rider in the standings right now so I’m hoping I can get there!”

Joe Clee GBR “this was my first World Cup of the season so to finish second was great!”
Joe Clee GBR – “I’d love to go to Las Vegas but we also have the European Championships to think about next year so even if I do qualify for the Final we will have to have a discussion about whether it will be right for my horse to go”.

Joe Clee GBR, joking about Simon Delestre’s victory which pinned him back into runner-up spot – “Last year in the Small Grand Prix Simon also beat me, so I don’t think we should send him an invitation next year!”

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League – Standings after Round 8 at Mechelen (BEL):

1. Steve Guerdat SUI – 57
2. Kevin Staut FRA – 49
3. Harrie Smolders NED – 47
4. Marco Kutscher GER – 44
5. Daniel Deusser GER – 43
6. Lucy Davis USA – 42
7. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS – 39
8. Simon Delestre FRA – 37
9. Marcus Ehning GER – 36
10. Bertram Allen IRL – 34
11. Jur Vrieling NED – 33
12. Reed Kessler USA – 30
13. Jos Verlooy BEL – 30
14. Roger Yves Bost FRA – 29
15. Douglas Lindelow SWE – 29
16. Martin Fuchs SUI – 28
17. Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE – 28
18. Christian Ahlmann GER – 28
19. Pius Schwizer SUI – 27
20. Francois Mathy Jr BEL – 25

by Louise Parkes