GCT: Syrian Victory in Chantilly

A Syrian victory in the actual world context has, of course, a certain significance. Ahmad Saber Hamcho is the first winner of the GCT International Jumping in Chantilly.

An unexpected victory since the Syrian flag was not present. But Ahmad prefers to speak of his performance – his first victory on the Global Champions Tour circuit – on the sports aspect, (the course with few corners, was adapted for my mare who likes a fast galop) underligning timidly, that it could eventually give a positive image of his country whilst living abroad, in Germany, where he rents his installations : « It is evident that a Syrian victory has a special signification at the present time ….. but winning always has a positive meaning. » Ahmad did not say anymore on his country, prefering to concentrate on his sports calendar which will take him to the London Olympics, the very young rider (he is only 19) having qualified.

Italian Luca Moneta and American rider McLain Ward were second and third respectively with only a fraction of a second between them on 35.87 and 35.92. The Prix ESN class was in two phases with rides who go clear in the first phase, racing against the clock in the second.

The course designed by Uliano Vezzani included some troublesome fences with light rails that fell at the slightest touch. Many of the top ranked riders took sweeping turns on the vast showground and paid the price with time penalties.

The bogey fence ended up being the horseshoe double combination. It followed the replica chateau obstacle and the downward slope to the double left riders like Christian Ahlmann, Ben Maher and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson on 4 faults.