© J.Rodrigues
The opening class of the stunning Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco was won by Ben Maher (GBR) and Aristo Z, who set the harbour side arena alight with a lightening round to finish on a double clear in a time of 31.61s. Second went to Constant van Paesschen (BEL), who adds another top three finish to his ever-growing tally, this time with Citizenguard Rioso van de Kapel in 32.38s, and third went to Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and VDL Groep Eureka in 32.46s.
The opening CSI5* class of the show saw a relatively straight-forward course from Luc Musette, a welcoming test to introduce the horses to this unique, tight arena. With excited crowds gathering along every side, VIPs looking on from the exclusive double-decker stands and rows of international flags leaping about in the wind, this arena can be intimidating for the young and inexperienced rider or mount.
But with a star-packed start list of riders giving their Grand Prix horses a first outing, problems were few and far between. Of the 45 starters, eleven jumped a double clear round with eight riders collecting a time penalty for exceeding the time allowed.
Maikel van der Vleuten took the lead from 8th to go and looked like he’d be tough to beat with his speedy grey. Constant van Paesschen rarely enters a class he does’t try to win and he was able to shave 0.08s off the leading time. But Ben Maher was not to be deterred, chasing the time down with some daring turn-backs and attacking strides to take the win.
Source: GCT
Prix Fédération Equestre de la Principauté de Monaco
Int. jumping competition in special two phases (1.45 m) FEI Art. 274.5.6 – CSI5* LGCT
| 1. | 73 | Aristo Z | Maher, Ben | GBR |  |
1650.00 EUR | 0 penalties 31.61 sec |
| chest 10y.G /Andiamo Z/Flamenco Desemilly/ZANG/103FB82/ Jane Forbes Clark | phase 2 | ||||||
| 2. | 42 | Citizenguard Rioso van de Kape | Van Paesschen, Constant | BEL |  |
1000.00 EUR | 0 penalties 32.38 sec |
| chest 13y.M /Idem D Azur/Glennhidge/SBS/BEL40584/ Hph & S. & B. Van Paesschen | phase 2 | ||||||
| 3. | 9 | VDL Groep Eureka | van der Vleuten, Maikel | NED |  |
750.00 EUR | 0 penalties 32.46 sec |
| grey 10y.M /Chin Chin/Quidam de Revel/BWP/102ZV94/ H.A. van der Vleuten & Stoeter | phase 2 | ||||||
| 4. | 89 | Blue Boy V. Berkenbroeck | Garcia, Juan Carlos | ITA |  |
500.00 EUR | 0 penalties 32.77 sec |
| grey 13y.S /Poorboy/Latano/BWP/BEL41026/ Michel Spaas | phase 2 | ||||||
| 5. | 97 | Anisette de Lassus | Schwizer, Pius | SUI |  |
300.00 EUR | 0 penalties 33.64 sec |
| chest 8y.M /Sherman-Sitte/Blume la Borderie/BWP/103VV35/ Balmelli Armando | phase 2 | ||||||
| 6. | 22 | Vipreska de la Falize | Wathelet, Gregory | BEL | |
225.00 EUR | 0 penalties 34.37 sec |
| grey 9y.M /President/Papillon Rouge/SBS/103JB19/ Alain et Remy Gilson | phase 2 | ||||||
| 7. | 63 | Amira | Hanley, Cameron | IRL |  |
150.00 EUR | 0 penalties 35.26 sec |
| black 9y.M /Air Jordan Z/Chellano Z/ZANG/103BB50/ Paschoud Eléonore & Bouvier Yve | phase 2 | ||||||
| 8. | 59 | Air Pia V. Z | Deusser, Daniel | GER |  |
125.00 EUR | 0 penalties 35.39 sec |
| bay 9y.M /Air Jordan Z/Pilot/ZANG/103GY23/ Stephex Stables | phase 2 | ||||||
| 9. | 50 | Bandito | Pinchen, Yasmin | GBR | |
100.00 EUR | 0 penalties 38.38 sec |
| bay 8y.G /Verdi/Ekstein/KWPN/103DQ44/ Mrs Nancy Pinchen | phase 2 | ||||||
| 10. | 96 | Clarimo Ask | Bengtsson, Rolf-Göran | SWE |  |
100.00 EUR | 0 penalties 38.44 sec |
| grey 11y.S /Clearway/Caletto II/HOLST/102TH18/ Verband d.Züchter des Holsteiner P | phase 2 | ||||||
| 11. | 92 | Little Lady Z | Ahlmann, Christian | GER | |
50.00 EUR | 0 penalties 38.73 sec |
| bay 13y.M /Laptop/Grannus/HANN/103CX89/ Stoeterij Zangersheide | phase 2 | ||||||
| 12. | 108 | Bella Donna 66 | Al Attiyah, Hamad Ali Mohamed A | QAT |  |
50.00 EUR | 1 penalty 41.40 sec |
| dbay 11y.M /Baldini II/Calido I/HOLST/GER44350/ Qatar Armed Forces | phase 2 | ||||||