Super Showjumping Sport at First Ever Global Champions Tour in Sao Paulo
05/08/2007 00:24
PR Newswire
SAO PAULO, Brazil, August 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The fifth event of the Global Champions Tour, presented by CN WorldWide
and CN, was, for the very first time, staged in South Amerika. The 1st Athina
Onassis International Horse Show takes place at the premises of Sociedade
Hipica Paulista, a sports club with excellent sportive infrastructure as well
as pleasant social facilites.
On this very sunny Saturday the showground was full of people who came to
watch the teams that just competed at the Pan-American Games as well as
several top european riders who came over especially for this event.
In the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix 40 combinations started in the
first round. The best 18 combinations came back for the second round, which
was broadcasted live by media partner Eurosport. Among the best 18
combinations were no less then 11 combinations with a clear first round Among
the clear combinations were World Champion Jos Lansink (BEL), Jessica Kürten,
winner of the GCT in Monte Carlo, and initiator of the event in Sao Paulo
Alvaro de Miranda (BRA).
In round two fourteen combinations were clear. Nine managed to be double
clear and advanced to the jump off. First to go was Frenchman Hubert Bourdy
with his eleven year old stallion Toulon. They flew around the course and set
a really good clear time of 45.74 seconds. The following riders all tried
their very best but could not beat Huberts time.This made the class very
exciting to watch and the crowd really supported the riders in their efforts.
Last to go Malin Baryard Johnson (SWE) and Butterfly Flip really went for it
as well and stayed clear in the exact same time as Marco Kutscher did with
Cash 63 being 46.63 seconds.
Malin commented: " I am very very happy. I was watching Hubert and he
made a perfect round. I just could not catch him, but I am trilled with both
myself and my horse. She is 16 years old and she is jumping better then
ever".
Winner Hubert Bourdy said: "My horse was jumping fine in the GCT already
before this Grand Prix. We were placed in Cannes (9th) and had only one down
in Monte Carlo and Estoril. I was sure we would have a good result one day
but with this I am very happy. It was difficult to go first in the jump off
with nine to go so therefore I really really tried and I am happy it turned
out this way".
Asked about the show in Sao Paulo Malin said: The show is fantastic,
really amazing. Nothing is half done and since this is their first time that
is really unbelievable. The people are also all so friendly. It is definitely
one of the best shows I have ever been too".
All three riders who were on the podium today will continu with the next
stage of the Global Champions Tour in Valkenswaard on August 25th. In
Valkenswaard the winners of Cannes, Gregory Whathelet and Monaco, Jessica
Kürten will also be present to try and have another chance at the total prize
money fo 300.000 euro's which is awarded at every Global Champions Tour Grand
Prix.
The International Concours Valkenswaard will take place from August 23rd
to 26th and the two weekends before the Horse Festival Valkenswaard takes
place on August 10.11.12.17.18.19.Eurosport will broadcast the VDL Groep
Grand Prix of Valkenswaard on August 25th at 20.30 hours CET.
For more results and information about the Global Champions Tour please
visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com
Further information: http://www.cnworldwide.com, http://www.cn.ca and
http://www.eurosport.com
For more information about this press release or pictures free of rights, please contact Susanne Scheepers at Susanne@globalchampionstour.com or cell +31-622498151