Global Champions Playoffs, 02 Arena, Prague, Czechia
AMID pyrotechnics, lights and big stadium atmosphere, the Global Champions Playoffs always produce high-intensity sport. The riders admitted to feeling the pressure, given the €11m (£9,640,660) prize money at stake, but some tremendous victors emerged.
Two technical rounds of jumping set by Uliano Vezzani for Saturday night's €1.26m Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Super Grand Prix, which riders qualified for at each of the season's grands prix, resulted in an absence of double clears.
Flying Frenchman Julien Epaillard produced one of seven first-round clears but, with round two run in reverse order of merit, the pressure told and remarkably all seven then faulted, bringing time into sharp contrast. The world number seven Julien was drawn 14th of the 16 riders and had Henrik von Eckermann with King Edward's high-speed four-fault target to chase. So when the third fence tumbled, he and 10-year-old chestnut mare Dubai Du Cedre were playing catch-up.
Denne historien er fra November 23, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 23, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
