World Champion wins VDL Groep Grand Prix

The sixth leg of the Global Champions Tour 2007, the VDL Groep Grand Prix was spectacularly won by World Champion Jos Lansink and Al Kaheel Spender S (by Silbersee x Caretino). Three combinations stayed double clear, winner Jos Lansink, the Dutch champion Angelique Hoorn and Britain’s Nick Skelton with Arko III (Oldenburg, by Argentinus x Beach Boy). Nick Skelton was first to go in the jump-off. He stayed clear and stopped the clock at 45.45 seconds. This meant that the remaining two riders really had to go for it. Angelique Hoorn’s horse Blauwendraad’s O’Brien (KWPN, by Peter Pan x Goudsmid) is known to be fast, but on his way to the finish he faulted twice. Jos Lansink was last to go and he gave his all. “I knew Nick rode a fast round, so I had no choice,” said a thrilled Jos Lansink. “It is difficult to be the first to go into the jump-off,” according to Nick Skelton, who recently won the fourth leg of the GCT in Estoril, Portugal. Angelique Hoorn was very satisfied with her result: “I was really happy I reached the jump-off with such strong competition. It was O’Brien’s first big competition after his break.” The total prizemoney of the VDL Groep Grand Prix was € 300,000. In the morning spectators saw Frenchman Roger-Yves Bost win the Medium Tour competition with the 10-year-old SF gelding Jovis de Ravel (Echogene Latour x Le Tot de Semilly). He was chased home by Swiss rider Markus Fuchs with the ISH gelding Royal Charmeur (by Cavalier). Swedish lady rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson, who recently launched her own fashion line in riding boots, finished in third with the 12-year-old SWB mare H&M Espri (Guinness x Good Future). Today the special invitational riders of the 1m15/1m25 section had their Final, which was won by Emma Augier de Moussac from the Czech Republic with her SF Flash d’Arros (Shogoun II). Belgium’s Bart Soetaers and the 10-year-old gelding Calvador D (NRPS, Colorado D x Topas) was exactly 1 second slower which resulted in the runner-up spot for this combination. Zaid Essam Al Marzoog from Kuwait finished in third with the eight-year-old NRPS gelding Nokia (N-Aldato x Martel xx). After the 1.35m final of tomorrow the Brigitta Sueters Prix d Vainqueur will be awarded to the best special invitational rider o all three weekends. Results (25.08.07) VDL Groep Grand Prix 6th Leg of the Global Champions Tour Table A, Two Rounds – FEI Art. 273.2.2+3.1 – 1,60m 1º. Al Kaheel Spender S / Jos Lansink (Bel) /0/0/0- 44.81 2º. Arko III / Nick Skelton (Gbr) / 0/0/0- 45.45 3º. Blauwendraad´S O´Brien / Angelique Hoorn (Ned)/ 0/0/8- 46.23 4º. Toulon / Hubert Bourdy (Fra) / 1/2 – 88.57 5º. Eurocommerce Milano / Gerco Schröder (Ned) / 0/4 – 84.57 6º. Air Jordan Z / Daniel Deusser (Ger) / 0/4 – 87.38 7º. Cyrenaika Frh / Philippe Leoni (Fra) / 0/4 – 87.73 8º. Tymoon Caloo Meerchen / Dirk Demeersman (Bel) / 0/5 – 83.02 9º. Peppermill / John Whitaker (Gbr) /0/5 – 84.67 10º. Nirmette / Markus Fuchs (Sui) / 0/5 – 85.72