Basel, SUI – Jan. 14, 2018 – Swiss show jumpers excelled in the Longines Grand Prix of Basel on the final day of competition, capturing the top two spots. The “ban” against Swiss riders in the Grand Prix of Basel is gone as Martin Fuchs and Clooney claimed the win while Werner Muff rode Daimler to second place against a field of strong competitors.
Never before has a Swiss rider managed to win this grand prix, but in the ninth event it became a reality. Fifteen riders took to the second round, but Fuchs and Muff put the French Simon Delestre into third place with Chesall.
Both Fuchs and Muff will be representing Switzerland next weekend at the World Cup tournament in Leipzig.
On Saturday, the Dutch Harrie Smolders prevented a double victory for Switzerland in the Prize of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, riding to the win aboard Capital Colnardo. Runner-ups were Janika Sprunger aboard Ninyon in second and Werner Muff with Pollendr in third place. Six riders and horses managed the first tricky course with clear rounds in Saturday’s highlight class.
“My second place with Ninyon came unexpected,” commented Sprunger. “The stallion has not been on this high level a lot up to now. He is a great enhancement.”
Muff, winner with Daimler on Friday in the Championat of Basel, was satisfied with his 3rd place. “I had a good feeling with Pollendr. He’s not a horse for the jump-offs. That’s why I rode clean and steady. It was not possible to beat Smolders”.
Smolders has been very successful in the past few months. He won the final of the Global Champions Tour in Doha and over one million price wining money, is second in the world ranking and won the Grand Prix in December in Geneva as well as the world cup class in Mechelen.
RESULTS
Longines Grand Prix of Basel CSI5*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Clooney / Martin Fuchs / SUI / 0 | 67.20 / 0 | 38.70
2. Daimler / Werner Muff / SUI / 0 | 67.21 / 0 | 39.64
3. Chesall Zimequest / Simon Delestre / FRA / 0 | 68.92 / 0 | 41.91
4. Gancia de Muze / Niels Bruynseels / BEL / 4 | 67.88 / 0 | 37.56
5. Berlinda / Hans-Dieter Dreher / GER / 4 | 67.08 / 0 | 38.02
6. California / Edwina Tops-Alexander / AUS / 4 | 65.06 / 0 | 38.15
7. Grand Cru van de Rozenberg / Jerome Guery / BEL / 4 | 66.56 / 0 | 39.36
8. Casall / Alain Jufer / SUI / 4 | 67.15 / 0 | 39.72
9. Cardano CH / Niklaus Rutschi / SUI / 0 | 69.34 / 4 | 42.26
10. Salomon / Maikel Van der Vleuten / NED / 0 | 67.83 / 4 | 51.63
11. Silver Deux de Virton H D C / Kevin Staut / FRA / 4 | 68.08 / 4 | 39.26
12. Caracas / Jos Verlooy / BEL / 4 | 65.78 / 4 | 39.58
For full results, click here.
Prize of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois CSI5*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Capital Colnardo / Harrie Smolders / NED / 0 | 69.68 / 0 | 39.03
2. Ninyon / Janika Sprunger / SUI / 0 | 69.93 / 0 | 41.28
3. Pollendr / Werner Muff / SUI / 0 | 68.94 / 0 | 42.15
4. Pret A Tout / Marcus Ehning / GER / 0 | 67.12 / 4 | 37.38
5. Quenelle du Py / Olivier Robert / FRA / 0 | 68.42 / 4 | 38.29
6. Cayenne WZ / Felix Haßmann / GER / 0 | 68.22 / 4 | 38.34
7. Rmf Cadeau de Muze / Denis Lynch / IRL / 1 | 72.44
8. Icos / Olivier Philippaerts / BEL / 1 | 72.74
9. Inca Boy van T Vianahof / Edwina Tops-Alexander / AUS / 1 | 72.81
10. Sherazade du Gevaudan / Romain Duguet / SUI / 4 | 67.18
11. Uraeus Blanc HDC / Kevin Staut / FRA / 4 | 67.66
12. Angel van T Hof / Niels Bruynseels / BEL / 4 | 68.27
For full results, click here.