Luciana Diniz claims the Prix KB Luxembourg Monaco
Guiseppe Rolli fell off his horse, Christina Liebherr’s horse went through the jump and Jean-Marc Nicolas was eliminated, but other than that, it was just a tough course. Again with long lines and sharp turns, Olaf Petersen wanted to get the best from the riders as a test for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Even the winner of the second class yesterday, Bernardo Alves (BRA), had to retire. He and his horse Chupa Chup showed they were in Olympic form, but did not have their way.
Of the 32 starters in the second class today, it was Sheikh Ali Al Thani that had the most penalty points. With 22 penalties on his résumé, he finished last. Again 11 combinations started in the jump-off, which was full of riders that knew how to ride! Gerco Schröder (NED), Ludo Philippaerts (BEL), Robert Whitaker (GBR), all of them had made it into the jump-off, but only Edwina Alexander was fastest. Australia had beaten Beezie Madden with Onlight (Calando x Landgraf), who represented the USA.
Winning €6.250, Edwina Alexander was very happy to go into the arena again, especially after her second place in Cannes (although that was with Itôt du Château), she was happy to show the form she and her horse Isovlas Socrates are in.
In the first class, it was a kind of Brazilian win again, although Luciana Diniz has been riding for Portugal for a couple of years now. Riding Nightlover (Landritter x Furioso), she was fastest of yet again 11 starters in the jump-off. Beating the winner of the Grand Prix in Doha (QAT) and last year’s winner of Cannes, Gregory Wathelet who rode for Ukraine then but now for Belgium again, as well as French riders Michel Robert, Julien Epaillard, and Philippe Rozier. Laura Kraut defended the American name, but had to settle for third place in this class, still winning €3,000 with Le Prestige St. Lois.
The most glamorous appearance today was by the royal family. HRH Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover, came today as well as HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
At 20.45 hrs, the entire entrance of the showground was filled with camera’s. All photograph journalists were present for the arrival of HSH Prince Albert II du Monaco.
It was an unforgettable evening, for riders, media, and visitors.
Results (27.06.08)
CSI5* Monte Carlo
Prova 3 – Prix KB Luxembourg Monaco
Table A with One Junp-Off FEI Art. 238.2.2, 1m45
1º Night Lover / Luciana Diniz (POR) / 0/0 – 32.31
2º Willem van Het Janshof / Gregory Wathelet (BEL) / 0/0 – 32.42
3º Le Prestige St Lois / Laura Kraut (USA) / 0/0 – 33.94
4º Kronos d´Ouilly / Michel Robert (FRA) / 0/0 – 34.42
5º Jadis de Toscane / Philippe Rozier (FRA) / 0/0 – 34.65
6º First Love / Denis Lynch (IRL) / 0/0 – 34.83
7º L.B. Robin Hood / Christina Liebherr (SUI) 0/0 – 34.89
8º VDL Groep Quinara / Leopold Van Asten (NED) / 0/0 – 34.96
9º Sandro Boy / Marcus Ehning (GER) / 0/0 – 36.34
10º Quintero 4 / Omar Bonomeli (ITA) / 0/0 – 38.98
Prova 4 – Prix MTN International Carrier Services – MTN Group
Qualifier for the Grand Prix
Table A with one Jump-Off FEI Art. 238.2.2, 1m50
1º Isovlas Socrates / Edwina Alexander (AUS) / 0/0 36.24
2º Vulkano FRH / Marcus Ehning (GER) / 0/0 37.25
3º H&M Actrice W / M. Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) / 0/0 40.25
4º Nanta Jonella / Ligresti Bonomelli (ITA) / 0/0 41.28
5º Onlight / Beezie Madden (USA) / 0/0 43.33
6º Azucar / Robert whitaker (GBR) / 0/4 35.07
7º Omelli / Tim Gredley (GBR) / 0/8 36.38
8º Sam / Ludo Philippaerts (BEL) / 0/8 38.38
9º Eurocommerce Vancouver / Gerco Schröder (NED) / 0/8 40.67