“Amazing” Lizziemary and Danielle Goldstein pull off their first LGCT Grand Prix Win
Danielle Goldstein (ISR) set off at a pace with Lizziemary, making a phenomenal turn back to the oxer to shave off the seconds. The crowd roared as they stopped the clock in 45.56s, almost two seconds faster. Danger would come in the form of Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Clooney, with the pair blazing around the arena. But the penultimate vertical caught the pair out, dropping them down the order.
Final rider to go Bertram Allen (IRL) had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Flat out through the start, Bertram powered around the fences looking set to take over the lead. But an unlucky rub meant the pair paid the price, out of contention and off the podium.
So Danielle took the win under the spotlight in Cascais, as Harrie Smolders keeps hold of his overall ranking lead. The Dutchman now sits on 207 points overall, with Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) leaping up to second with 185 points. Christian Ahlmann (GER) drops to third place with 180 points, but with all three in action for LGCT Chantilly all eyes will be on the Championship battle as round 10 kicks off in France.
Jan Tops, Founder and President Longines Global Champions Tour: “You can see that persistence paid off. I’ve known Dani the last few years and how she is riding the last few shows it’s nice to see – it’s amazing and seeing her win this important Grand Prix is wonderful, well done. Harrie is still in a good position, Maikel is second, but I know how the Dutch are – you only get the prize after the finish and we have six important events to go. There are a few riders with less drop scores. Like the League, everything is open.
“You cannot have a better setting for the horses. All the horses are jumping fantastic. The right weather, there’s a nice breeze and the horses were all fresh. It’s a great way for the horses to jump.”
Duarte Nobre Guedes, President LGCT Cascais: “We started small and we’re very big now – it’s a very important event for the region. We are very proud. It’s important in a promotional point of view, to promote our region worldwide, I’m very glad we’ve achieved that. I love sport, it was top competition. Nelson Mandela said “sport has the power to change the world” and I believe that.”
Danielle Goldstein, LGCT Cascais 1st: “It feels great. We come out and we work every day, so it’s a dream to win, it feels amazing. I’m thrilled. We clicked right away [with Lizziemary] – even when I tired her I knew right away that she was my kind of horse, so we’ve been building. We’ve been close a couple of times, so to pull it all together was great. I took a shot at the last but she was with me today. I was happy I was able to execute my plan, and it worked out today. I think everyone wants to win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, for me it’s the top of the list at the moment, so I’m thrilled.”
Maikel van der Vleuten, LGCT Cascais 2nd, “It’s my [fourth podium] this season. I can’t complain so far, I had a few weeks behind me which were a little unlucky. My horse gave me the feeling that she gave everything again. There are six legs to go still, so we’ll see!”
Martin Fuchs, LGCT Cascais 3rd: “The season started very well for me already in Mexico City with my big win, my first on the Global Champions Tour. I had some good results after that, and then coming here, and winning the class yesterday was amazing. Today Clooney felt great again, I had a plan to win again, had an unlucky rail down – it was my mistake as Clooney did his best and would have deserved to be on top again.”
Harrie Smolders, LGCT Ranking Leader: “I’m aware my average has to go up to finish on top of the leaderboard. This weekend I was actually here for the team, as I was a substitute for John Whitaker. Capital did a fantastic job, he jumped very well. I’m in Chantilly next week and I’ll ride Emerald there.”