Richard Spooner Pulled it Off!

Riding Cristallo, Richard Spooner (USA) claimed victory at Monte Cralo, the fourth leg of the Global Champions Tour. Second place went to Marcus Ehning (GER) aboard Vulkano and another German Ulrich Gunter Hermann Kirchoff finished in 3rd place aboard Carino.

He tried in Hamburg, but missed by 28 seconds. Now, at the fourth leg of the Global Champions Tour, presented by CN & CN WorldWide, he made it. He finished first, and took home the €100,000 destined for the winner.

Runner up was Marcus Ehning, not riding Sandro Boy, but the 8-year old Vulkano FRH (Voltaire x Pit I). He was very satisfied with his rounds. “It is a young horse, and a good one too. I think we will come far, more because he is still young and we can still get a lot of experience” says Ehning from Germany.

The most unexpected person to be present in the arena for the prize giving ceremony was Ulrich Kirchhoff. He was the first rider to qualify for the jump-off, and just like in Hamburg, the crowd went wild when they realized he had just finished a double clear round. “How much money do you get when you”re fifth? €19,000? Wauw, I would like to compete at the Global Champions Tour more often!” was “Ulli”s” reaction at the amount of prize money. The first round was a round of nice lines and turns, though it started to be tough at the Global Champions Tour fence. This 1.60 fence (vertical) however did not seem to be a problem for the riders. More difficult was the Rolex combination (vertical – oxer). Being right before the big screen, and followed by the press tribune, some horses moved away, loosing their attention for the second fence.

The more difficult part was from fence 8 to 9, which almost was a 360º turn to an oxer.

The second round had a very long line through 5A, B, and C towards number 6, it was over 40 meters, allowing the spectators to hold their breath when the horses galloped. The jump-off was the most exciting until now. With 8 riders in the race, favorites were Thomas Frühmann (AUT), Denis Lynch (IRL) and Edwina Alexander (AUS), but the “underdog” won. This underdog listens to the name Richard Spooner.

Besides winning the fourth leg of the GCT, Richard Spooner also won the Coppa d”Oro Della Comtesse Carla Da Zara. This completely golden cup is in memory of Countess Carla Da Zara, wife of Count Neni Da Zara, who was owner of one of the biggest horse stables in Italy. The daughter Maura is a horse enthusiast and gives this cup to honor her mother, with the gold to symbolize all her qualities. Richard Spooner won this cup, with Marcus Ehning and Denis Lynch right behind him.

The next GCT leg will be in Estoril, at the Hipodromo Municipal Manuel Possolo where yet again the top riders will give their best in the race for the prize money and qualification for the final in São Paulo, Brazil.