Penelope Leprevost shines to win LGCT Grand Prix in Antwerp

The French rider came out on top in a thrilling five rider jump-off to take the third event of the 2016 season as the LGCT made its return to Europe.

The result also saw Germany’s Christian Ahlmann increase his overall lead in the rankings to 12 points in the early stages of this year’s Championship.

Many of the top horses in the world had their first serious outing of the season at the show ground next to the River Scheldt in the ‘diamond city’ which made for another exciting leg,

Of the 45 starters, 18 progressed to the second round, with 14 of those jumping clear rounds with four more going through on one fault or four.

A total of five horse and rider combinations went through to the jump-off and it was Leprovost who was first to go and look determined from the outset. Riding Flora de Mariposa, they rode an incredibly feisty round, galloping to the last in a display of agility and skill to complete a clear round in 33.09 seconds.
Next up was Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum on Unbelievable, and despite their valiant efforts, they were three seconds off Leprovost’s time.

The experienced combination of Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson on Casall then gave it their all, but took less risks and crossed the line in 34.59 seconds, before USA’s Lauren Hough on Ohlala saw their chances of a place of podium vanish when they saw a pole down.

It meant former LGCT Grand Prix of Antwerp winner and current leading rider on the Longines Rankings, Simon Delestre with Ryan, was last to go and could only deny Leprovost victory. Despite an impressive performance, the world number one finished just tenths of a second away in 33.74 seconds, meaning his compatriot took the win.

Heading into the next leg of the LGCT which takes place in Shanghai, China, this weekend, Ahlmann maintains his lead and now currently sits on 97 points. Great Britain’s John Whitaker remains in second place on 85 points, with Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano now moving up the ranking into third with 65 points.

The third event of the new Global Champions League team competition also took place in Antwerp and it was Antwerp Diamonds shot to the ranking lead after stealing a sparkling win at their home venue.

The combination of USA’s Audrey Coulter and Belgium’s Jos Verlooy finishing on a combined total of four faults and an impressive 111.77 seconds overall to take the victory.

John Whitaker of Valkenswaard United showcased his anchor man role, jumping clear again with his top mare Ornellaia, while team mate Bertram Allen of Ireland on Molly Malone gave it their all to push the team back up to second place, ahead of the Monaco Aces duo of Colombia’s Daniel Bluman and USA’s Schuyler Riley.

Rome Gladiators focus on strategy with tactics to go slow and clear all went well but saw them fall just shy of the podium and in fourth overall.
LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR GRAND PRIX OF ANTWERP, BELGIUM
Result

1 Flora de Mariposa Penelope Leprevost France 0/33.09 seconds (jump-off)
2 Hermes Ryan Simon Delestre France 0/33.74
3 Casall ASK Rolf-Göran Bengtsson Sweden 0/34.59
4 Unbelievable Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Germany 0/36.44
5 Ohlala Lauren Hough USA 4/34.72
LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR 2016
Overall standings after leg 3 – Antwerp, Belgium

1. Christian Ahlmann Germany 97 points
2. John Whitaker Great Britain 85
3. Emanuele Gaudiano Italy 65
4. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson Sweden 64
5. Kevin Staut France 60
6. Jos Verlooy Belgium 56
7. Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani Qatar 56
8. Kent Farrington USA 50
9. Harris Smolders Netherlands 46
10. Pénélope Leprevost France 40