Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin Photo: GCT/Sportfot
Turbo-charged Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin won the spectacular speed class at the GCT in Cannes tonight with some breathtaking turns. The Brazilian rider and his ultra quick chestnut gelding achieved a masterful 54.46 with a display of exceptional speed.
Rodrigo desribed Palouchin as a “speed specialist” and said: “This round fitted him well. He is a very competitive horse, very careful, always going forward. Tonight he prevailed. If you wanted to win the way to do it was at the combinations. I knew exactly what I was going to do.”
Edwina Alexander and Mel d'Argences Photo: Sportfot/GCT
Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander was the only close challenger going flat out on her talented mare Mel d’Argences and finishing in 54.93. Edwina executed a series of brilliant turns to give her an advantage and was flat out to the final Global Champions Tour oxer.
Edwina, current GCT 2012 ranking leader, said: “She is fast and because she is careful she loses a little bit of time in the air, but she was great tonight.
The exciting speed class was hugely popular in the packed arena at the GCT in Cannes. The crowds cheered as some of the fastest horses in show jumping pirouetted between fences in super tight turns. French rider Philippe Rozier came a fast third on Akita in 55.03 with a crucial turn between the two double combinations.
Under the rules of the Table C class even riders with a fence down could potentially win as four seconds would be added to their total time. The high adrenaline competition was a hit in the arena where the grandstand, VIP lounge and hospitality areas were packed.
The main class of the GCT event, the Grand Prix of Cannes, won for the last two years by Edwina Alexander, takes place on Saturday evening. Currently sitting on top of the ladder with 96 points, Edwina will be looking to continue her strong form and bounce back from the fall she sustained in round four in Wiesbaden (Germany). She is 14 points ahead of second place getter Marcus Ehning from Germany (82) with Gregory Wathelet from Belgium rounding out the minor places (77).
Eurosport on Foxtel channel 511 will broadcast the Cannes Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Monday 18 June commencing at 6:15am AEST and again on Wednesday 20 June at 11:00am and 7pm AEST as well as Sunday 24 June at 9:30am. (Please be advised that broadcast times are subject to change and viewers should check the Eurosport website).
