Change Sport
There was a lot riding on the last day of the GCT. The Million Euro Bonus, the Grand Prix of Brazil and the Leading Rider Award, which itself was worth over 25′000Euro to the winner.
The first round produced 11 clear rounds but to the amazement of many Marco Kutscher, leader of the GCT rankings was not among them when he had two down with Catoki. And Jos Lansink’s chance of snatching the winners part of the Bonus disappeared when Spender S had two fences down. But Marcus Ehning was in the eighteen second round contestants and so was Edwina Alexander, lying in fourth but ready to capitalise on anyone else’s misfortunes.
In the second round Ellen Whitaker was the first to go double clear with Equimax Ocalado and she was soon joined by six others. Ellen hit the third fence and Phillip Westhaupt and Souvenir 29, the last. Denis Lynch and All Inclusive were the first to jump three clear rounds and he made a very good job of setting a fast time on All Inclusive NRW, stopping the clock at 33.50.
Edwina Alexander took a stride out between the third and fourth fences and nearly paid the price but Cevo Itot du Chateau put in an enormous leap to clear the back rail only for the clock to deny him a better placing than Denis.
Ben Maher was slower on Oscar although clear but the person who made the biggest effort to win was Brazil’s Carlos Ribas. Riding Ronaldo who he had only been riding for a client for a few weeks, he absolutely tore round to screams and whistles from the capacity crowd but 34.33 was only good enough for eventual fourth.
Last in was Marcus Ehning. Already the winner of the leading rider prize when previous leader Christian Ahlmann had a rail in the second round on Taloubet Z, winning here would hand the German not only the Grand Prix but also the Championship. Finishing fourth would leave that in the hands of Marco Kutscher. And the margin for error was small. A second and a half split the riders currently leading the competition. But Marcus Ehning is not a three times World Cup winner for nothing. Making good use of Noltes Kuchen Girl’s huge stride, he did not appear to be hurrying as much as Dennis but a final gallop to the last sealed the win and that jump off ride earned him 430′000 Euro in total prize money. More than anyone else has earned in any show jumping competition in the history of the sport.
Results
Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Brazil
1. Marcus Ehning (GER) Noltes Kutchen Girl, 0,0,0, 33.23, Euro 100′000
2. Denis Lynch (IRE) All Inclusive NRW, 0,0,0, 33.50, Euro 70′000
3. Edwina Alexander (AUS) Cevo Itot du Chateau, 0,0,0, 34.01, Euro 50′000
4. Carlos Ribas (BRA) Ronaldo, 0,0,0, 34.33, Euro 25′000
Quotes
Marcus Ehning- “I was lucky to be last to go and I knew I had a fast horse who could catch Denis but I still cannot believe all this has happened. The show title, the Grand Prix and the Champion title, it is amazing. I had to take all the risks in the jump off and tonight it paid off, I was lucky it all worked. I am just a bit happy!”
Edwina Alexander-”It has been an amazing year so far and I can’t believe anyone could win as much money as Marcus, he was unbelievable tonight. This is Itot’s last show before WEG, he gets a short holiday now. Which he deserves as I decided with Jan (Tops) that I could do that related distance on four strides but when I got there it was a little bit further than I thought!”
Jan Tops- “You do not see many events like this one. For so much to ride on the last second of a jump off. I cannot imagine having a better day than this one. And as for next year at this moment, I do not know how we will improve on this.”
Photo courtesy of GCT website
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Source: GCT
