Van Asten wins Acqua Uliveto Grand Prix

Dutch rider Mathijs van Asten and Vdl Groep Chester Z have emerged as the protagonists of the 14th Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge CSI5*, with two clean rounds and a time of 39.45″.

Behind him two riders from down under, New Zealand's Samantha McIntosh on Loxley (0/0 39.79″) and Aussie Chris Chugg on Vivant (0/0 40.39″).

Juan Carlos Garcia gave it his all on Hamilton de Perhet, but ended up i n sixth place after an unfortunate knock down in the jump off, causing him to slide into sixth place with 4 faults and 40.24″. He did win a brand new rolex as Best Rider of the show, so not all was lost.

The Bracco prize for Best Lady Rider went to Australia's Edwina Alexander.

A true night of champions, as the grandstands of the Community were full to capacity. The riders noticed that the course was difficult even as they walked it before entering on their horses.

Garcia commented, “The course is very nice, with possible traps in almost all the fences”. Richard Spooner, who had four faults on his top horse Cristallo, from the United States agreed, “A fair and difficult course that was very fair to the horses”. He even predicted that the vertical plank jump (160cm) would be the one causing trouble, and it was in fact where he had a knock down. Of course, a part from the technical difficulties, the timing was so tight to leave no room for error.

The course was as beautiful as it was challenging: one particular jump was the Fiera Cavalli Verona obstacle, which celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Rolex World Cup in the city of Romeo and Juliet.

The winner, van Asten, said of his victory, “It is one of the most important victories of my career”, he exclaimed, “and I thank the public for the great support. It was a great night with a fantastic atmosphere”.

And so the tradition of Dutch riders winning at San Patrignano continues, as it had started with Emile Hendrix, who today is technical advisor to the show. “I knew he had won and I also asked him for advice on how best to run the course. I am very happy”, concluded van Asten.

Results – Grand Prix (01.08.10)
1. Mathijs Van Asten – VDL Groep Chester Z (Ned) 0/0 39,45
2. Samantha Mcintosh – Loxley (Nzl) 0/0 39,79
3. Chris Chugg – Vivant (Aus) 0/0 40,39
4. Maikel Van der Vleuten – VDL Groep Verdi (Ned) 0/0 40,41
5. Connie Bull – Cezanne (Nor) 30 0/0 43,00