Steve steals de show again in Vigo

Swiss rider Steve Guerdat secured his second victory of the 2006/2007 FEI World Cup Jumping series and a place at the final in Las Vegas, USA in April when steering the brilliant mare, Jalisca Solier, into pole position at Vigo in Spain tonight.

The eleventh of the 13 qualifying legs was another thriller, and with 14 through to the jump-off it was a fierce battle against the clock. But Guerdat had shown that his new ride has the heart of a lioness when putting in a breath-taking performance to come out on top in Geneva in December, and when he asked her to give him her all again tonight she never faltered. “She´s just wonderful – I´m so very lucky to have her” the 24 year old said afterwards with genuine gratitude in his voice.

Holland´s Leopold Van Asten finished second ahead of Italy´s Juan Carlos Garcia in third while last weekend´s winner in Bordeaux, Frenchman Michel Robert, was fourth and, having picked up more valuable points, is close to qualification.

And then the packed house of 8,000 spectators were treated to even more excitement.

Dutch rider Leopold Van Asten set off with VDL Groep Fleche Rouge with a look of sheer determination on his face and the 14 year old mare shaved almost a full second off Albin´s time when breaking the beam with a clear round in 43.51 seconds to snatch the lead. But, next to go, Guerdat and Jalisca answered that with a devastating run that saw them across the line in 43.40 – and the crowd exploded with delight. Second-last into the ring, Eugenie Angot and Ilostra Dark left all the poles up but could not challenge the Swiss partnership with their time of 45.37 seconds. However the drama was still not quite over. Last man into the arena was Britain´s Michael Whitaker, always a force to be reckoned with, and his gallant mare Insul Tech Portofino was in flying form. Galloping to the last, she looked like she might just be quick enough to catch Jalisca´s time, but as the final fence hit the floor and she raced through the finish the clock showed 43.46 seconds. Guerdat had secured his second win of the 2006/2007 series in considerable style.

Tonight´s result however has earned Steve Guerdat a place in the Las Vegas final line-up, although he has already decided that Jalisa Solier will not travel to America. “She´s still too green, it would all be much too much for her, so I will take Tresor instead. Tresor is not quite so competitive but it will be great experience for me and I´m really looking forward to going” Guerdat said.

The line-up for the 29th FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is really beginning to take shape now with 13 riders having passed that magical 40-point mark which usually guarantees a qualifying spot. Sweden´s Malin Baryard-Johnsson is only four points away but she is followed closely by a sharp bunch of predators who will also be hoping to make the cut over the last two qualifying rounds of the series which take place in Gothenburg, Sweden on 25 February and s´Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on 25 March.

FEI WORLD CUP TM QUALIFIER
By Xunta de Galicia & Caixa Galicia
International Jumping Competition – CSIW
FEI Art. 238.2.2 Table A 1m55 with one jump-off

1º Steve Guerdat (Sui) / Jalisca Solier / 0 / 0 – 43,30s
2º Leopold Van Asten (Hol) / VDL Groep Fleche Rouge / 0 / 0 – 43,51
3º Juan Carlos Garcia (Ita) / Loro Piana Albin / 0 / 0 – 44,48
4º Michel Robert (Fra) / Galet D'Auzay / 0 / 0 – 45,18
5º Eugenie Angot (Fra) / Ilostra Dark / 0 / 0 – 45,37
6º Edwina Alexander (Aus) / Isovlas Pialotta / 0 / 0 – 45,93
7º Cameron Hanley (Irl) / SIEC Concept / 0 / 0 – 54,65
8º Michael Whitaker (Gbr) / 0 / 4 – 43,46
9º Tim Stockdale (Gbr) / 0 / 4 – 44,61
10º Harrie Smolders (Hol) / Equis Oliver / 0 / 4 – 45,41

35º António Portela Carneiro (Por) / Echo de Lessay / 17- 87,31s